Sonex Aircraft SubSonex

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

SubSonex JSX-1 demonstration flight

JSX-1 prototype

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.^{[citation needed]} It was flight tested by jet-sailplane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011.^[1][2]

The production model of the SubSonex is the JSX-2. The landing gear was changed to a fully retractable, pneumatically-operated tricycle configuration.^[3][4][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.^[2][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]

In August 2024, two JSX-2s were used by the Michigan Air National Guard as "cruise missile threat replication aircraft" and drones during Exercise Northern Strike. The JSX-2s are supplied by KestrelX.^{[13][14][15][16][17]}

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.^[18] Bob Carlton performed the first test flight with the prototype JSX-2 on 10 July 2014 from Wittman Field.^[19] Entered production as an amateur-built kit in the fall of 2014.^[20][21]

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).^[22] 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.^[23][24]

NASC Tracer

Twin-jet UAV model for military and civil applications, designed by Sonex and the Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (NASC)^[25]

NASC Tracer

Specifications (JSX-2)

Data from Sonex Aircraft^[26] and AINonline^[21]

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

• Bede-5J jet
• Colomban Cri-cri Jet
• Wheeling PJ1

Related lists

• List of very light jets