Aero-TV: Sub-Sonex "Teeny " Jet - Re-Engined and Ready for Flight Test

Even Smaller Than A Micro-Jet, 'Monnett's Madness' Has Produced Something Even Cooler Than Usual
I think John Monnett is nuts... a pure, certifiable, grade-A, crazy-man... and in the best of all possible ways. His inspired madness has not only brought forth Jet: Re-Esome great airplanes that have furnished the necessary means (and yes, madness) by which hundreds, even thousands, of pilots (overall) have managed to keep their hearts, minds and bodies in the world of flight, but he shows NO signs of slowing down. And for that, aviation is a better (and more affordable) place.

One of the most divinely inspired bits of craziness has led John to develop a teeny-tiny single-place jet airplane that will cost less to build and fly than most APUs used by the civil jet fleet. And better yet; the SubSonex single-place jet aircraft is about to resume testing. Following a series of initial high-speed taxi tests, the Sonex Aircraft Hornets' Nest Research and Development team determined that a review and modification of the aircraft design was necessary to achieve acceptable handling qualities for the average pilot.

Due to the increased power offered by the new PBS TJ-100 engine selected for the SubSonex, it was determined that a tricycle gear configuration would be needed to increase yaw stability on the ground in the transition phase approaching takeoff speeds.

Unveiled at AirVenture 2009 under the banner of the Hornets' Nest Research and Development program, the SubSonex jet was intended as an effort to study the feasibility and marketability of a small, single-place homebuilt jet aircraft. The SubSonex has attracted a tremendous level of interest from the public and aviation press, however, Sonex Aircraft, LLC has not yet decided if the aircraft will become an available homebuilt aircraft product. Following first flight of the aircraft and a full series of flight tests, Hornets' Nest designers plan to construct a second SubSonex prototype with a larger cockpit, enhanced landing gear system and other refinements to further evaluate the aircraft concept.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Jet
• Aircraft
• Aviation
• Sonex
• EAA
• Oshkosh
• Airventure
• PBS TJ-100
• Sub-Sonex
• Subsonex
• new
• engine
• homebuilt

[FlyHighRC386]

it has been ready to fly over 2 years ow and still has not flown, idiots

[aerotvnetwork]

@FlyHighRC386

PRESS RELEASE: August 10, 2011, Oshkosh, WI

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is excited to announce that the SubSonex jet aircraft prototype, JSX-1, made its maiden flight today, August 10, 2011 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI.

[idontcare80]

I'd rather have a BD-5J.

[naughtygirl3797]

@skeilak $70K isn't all that "rich." It's cheaper than a Corvette. Which would I choose? I'd drive a clapped out Chevy Citation to own one of these things.

[naughtygirl3797]

150 mph with a Volkswagen engine. GENIUS! A jet aircraft for under $50,000. GENIUS!

Forget airplanes. Run for president!

[MrGarciassuncao]

Empresario Garcia Assuncao - Consultoria de Articulacao Internacional

quero ser representante de vcs tambem no brasil e outros paizes de minha empresa

[brucenash]

TWO SEATS PLS JHON!! I DONT LIKE TO FLY ALONE!

[skeilak]

@tsbrownie

The aircraft does have a "rich man's toy" feel to it. But it doesn't pretend to be anything else.

It's for anyone with $70K, who wants to buzz around in a jet, at 250mph, for 45mins. at a time.

The engine will cost a bit to maintain. But any jet mech. with the service manual could maintain it. The PBS JT-100 engine is commonly used in military drones, and increasingly in small x-planes, so the knowledge base it out there.

[tsbrownie]

Wonder what the speed per fuel consumed numbers look like? There are lots of cool planes that are just too cost inefficient. Also wonder how one would maintain the engine? Seems like another cool toy but without the speed nor practicality.

[KarriKoivusalo]

Nice to see a proper tricycle landing gear, the earlier sailplane style single wheel landing gear didn't feel quite proper for this type of aircraft! Though the fans of U-2 spy plane might like it.