Airshow pilot Bob Carlton was selected to complete the first flight in the SubSonex Jet because of his experience flying his Super Salto sailplane. Both aircraft are powered by the PBS TJ-100 turbine jet engine.
Photos courtesy of Sonex Aircraft.
All Comments
Ok , How Much is it ? What kind of speed and endurance ? Acrobatic ?
A price has not yet been set, and Sonex has stayed mum about speed and endurance specs.The airplane is acrobatic.
The recent test flight was more of a feasibility test than anything else, according to the company. We will have to wait and see where they go with the program moving forward.
Specs, shmecs. I'd buy it in a heartbeat just for the fun factor.
My biggest concern is the lack of required training. If these become widely available there will be a lot of accidents a la the MU2 and R22. Hot aircraft plus untrained pilots is a bad mix.
A search of the Internet found a price for engine alone of 41K, and that's probably plus freight.
Interesting little toy. If the Sonex can fly with a recip it should fly with a gas turbine engine. Other than the V-tail it reminds me of the BD-5J.
How much thrust? What about availability of engines for prospective builders? How much will the airfrme, instruments, interior etc add to the 41K for engine alone? How much fule will the engine burn per hour?
I also wonder how this thing will, er, fly with the neighbourhoods surrounding the airports where these little rockets will be based. It the engine as noisy as other turbojets? Will the noise of the engine generate even more outrage in the community?? Aren't there already noise restrictions (or outright banning of jet aircraft) at lots GA airports already? If so, will this thing, and other micro jets, become unfeasible?
Most people would do better with the Pipestrel virus SW, a two-seat, 145 knot cruiser that can be built in 400-houra and certified in the experimental category for 92K. Or you can buy the complete airplane outright, fully constructed and airworthy, for 110K.
What's next: a hang glider with a pair of jet engines?
Douglas M
Surrey, British columbia
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