The SubSonex is an experimental, single-seat, amateur-built jet aircraft from Sonex Aircraft's "Hornet's Nest" development division.
| SubSonex | |
|---|---|
 | |
| SubSonex JSX-1 | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Sonex Aircraft |
| Designer | John Monnett |
| First flight | 10 August 2011 |
| Introduction | 2015 |
| Status | In production (2022) |
| Produced | Fall 2014-present |
| Number built | 17 (January 2022) |
Design and development
The JSX-1 is a single place, single engine jet aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail, fixed main landing gear and a retractable nosewheel. Introduced at AirVenture 2009, it is powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, with the exhaust exiting between the Y-tail. It 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 fully retractable, pneumatically-operated tricycle configuration.[1][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 kit's projected price 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 completed and flown in October 2015.[10]
Operational history
By January 2022, 17 examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[11][12]
Variants
- JSX-1
- Prototype version.
- 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 was expected to be first publicly displayed at Airventure in July 2020, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18][19]
- NASC Tracer
- Twin-jet UAV model for military and civil applications, designed by Sonex and the Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (NASC)[20]
Specifications (JSX-2)
Data from Sonex Aircraft[21] 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 TJ100 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
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
External links
- Official website
- Web Interview on SubSonex Progress Archived October 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- The Second Coming of the Microjet, by Paul Bertorelli, AVweb