Sonex Aircraft SubSonex

The SubSonex is an experimental, single-place, amateur-built jet from Sonex Aircraft's "Hornet's Nest" development division. The aircraft is often referred to in the industry as a "microjet".

SubSonex
SubSonex
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sonex Aircraft
Designer John Monnett
First flight 10 August 2011
Introduction 2015
Status In production (2019)
Produced Fall 2014-present
Number built 11 (July 2019)
Unit cost
US$130,000 Experimental Amateur Built, US$135,000 Quick Build Experimental Exhibition Category[1]

Design and development
SubSonex demonstration flight
Prototype

The JSX-1 is a single place, single engine, jet aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail. It was introduced at AirVenture 2009. It is powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, with the exhaust exiting between the Y-tail. The SubSonex achieved first engine test runs in December 2009. The engine produces 1100 N (240 lb) of thrust. Originally developed with only a central mono pod wheel, tail wheel and small wing tip outriggers, the prototype exhibited directional controllability problems during taxi-tests.

The production model of the SubSonex is the JSX-2. The landing gear was changed to a tricycle configuration with a manually retractable nosewheel.[2][3][4] It was flight tested by Jet-sailplane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011.[5][6]

At AirVenture 2013 the company began taking US$10,000 deposits on production kits. The projected price of the kit was US$125,000 in 2013 and US$135,000 in 2014.[6][7]

The first JSX-2 kit was shipped to a customer in February 2015[8][9] and was completed and flown in October 2015.[10]

Operational history

By July 2019, 11 examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[11][12]

Variants
JSX-1
Prototype version.
SubSonex JSX-2
SubSonex JSX-2
JSX-2
Second version with a BRS parachute, wider fuselage, more streamlined nose, and fully retractable undercarriage.[13] Bob Carlton performed the first test flight with the prototype JSX-2 on 10 July 2014 from Wittman Field.[14] Entered production as an amateur-built kit in the fall of 2014.[15][16]
JSX-2T
Two-seats in side-by-side configuration version announced in July 2019. It will use the same PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine with the PBS TJ-150 as an option. The design is projected to offer a cruise speed of over 174 kn (322 km/h) and an estimated useful load of 970 lb (440 kg).[17] The aircraft is expected to be first publicly displayed at Airventure in July 2020.[18]

Specifications (JSX-2)

Data from Sonex Aircraft[19] and AINonline[16]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m)
  • Wingspan: 18 ft (5.5 m)
  • Wing area: 60 sq ft (5.6 m2)
  • Airfoil: 64-415
  • Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg) average
  • Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg) utility configuration
  • Fuel capacity: 40 U.S. gallons (150 L; 33 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × PBS TJ-100 turbojet, 290 lbf (1.3 kN) thrust

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 210 kn (240 mph, 390 km/h) TAS
  • Stall speed: 50 kn (58 mph, 93 km/h) landing configuration
  • Never exceed speed: 249 kn (287 mph, 462 km/h)
  • Range: 420 nmi (480 mi, 770 km) with 30 minute reserve
  • g limits: +4.4/-2.2 in utility configuration, +6/-3 in aerobatic configuration
  • Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s) initial at sea level
  • Fuel consumption: 18 US gallons (68 L) per hour

Avionics

  • MGL Avionics Flight II instrument and the MGL V10 Com transceiver
gollark: ÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆAAAA OH BEES THE NAVIGATIONAL DIFFICULTY
gollark: Well, you should use minoteaur.
gollark: So if the boring design is more practical in those senses, give me it æ.
gollark: I'm going to spend much more time doing ground-level travel and being stuck in traffic queues and whatever than I am thinking about the aesthetics of it by satellite.
gollark: Like arguably most UK ones?

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References
  1. Alton K. Marsh (October 2014). "Your Personal Jet". AOPA Pilot: 54.
  2. Grady, Mary (30 December 2009). "First Flight Expected Soon For Jet-Powered Sonex". AVweb. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  3. Grady, Mary (7 June 2010). "Jet-Powered Glider Completes Test Flights". AVweb. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  4. "SubSonex Jet Prototype Ready to Resume Testing" (Press release). Oshkosh, WI: Sonex Aircraft. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. "SubSonex Jet Completes Maiden Flight". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  6. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 126. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. Pew, Glenn. "Sonex Accepts Deposits For Personal Jet - AVweb flash Article". Avweb.com. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  8. Kauh, Elaine (18 February 2015). "Sonex Begins Microjet Kit Deliveries". AVweb. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. "Sonex Aircraft Delivers First Subsonex Kit". Sport Aviation: 14. August 2015.
  10. Pope, Stephen. "First Customer-Built SubSonex Jet Flies". Flying. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  11. Federal Aviation Administration (12 July 2019). "JSX-2 Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  12. Federal Aviation Administration (12 July 2019). "Subsonex Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  13. "SubSonex Progress Update: October 7, 2011". Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  14. Grady, Mary (14 July 2014). "Sonex Flies Single-Seat Jet". AVweb. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  15. Sport Aviation: 14. April 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. Thurber, Matt (1 September 2014). "AirVenture Report: 2014". AINonline. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  17. O'Connor, Kate (11 July 2019). "Sonex To Offer Two-Place Jet Kit". AVweb. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  18. Cook, Marc (15 January 2020). "Two-Seat SubSonex Set to Debut at AirVenture 202". AVweb. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  19. "SubSonex Brochure" (PDF). Sonex Aircraft. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
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