SubSonex Personal Jet Model JSX-2 Makes First Flights

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SubSonex Personal Jet Model JSX-2 Makes First Flights

July 16, 2014 - Sonex Aircraft announced that SubSonex Personal Jet model JSX-2 achieved first flight on Thursday, July 10th, completing a very successful series of initial flight tests through the remainder of the week. "Its flight characteristics can be summed up in two words," remarks JSX-2 test pilot Bob Carlton, "fast & smooth. She handles great and climbs well."

The initial goal of the flight test program was to evaluate the systems, flight controls, gear and overall aircraft geometry, and handling through moderately high speeds, all of which were accomplished on Thursday during three flights. Following recommended FAA flight test protocols, the flight test team began earlier in the week with a slow taxi test and static engine runs progressing through high-speed taxi and finally the July 10th first flight.

The second flight of JSX-2 checked the function of the retractable landing gear and explored higher speed ranges. "With the gear retracted, the noise level is reduced significantly and she accelerates quickly to 150 mph," comments Bob Carlton. "I added at bit of power and she quickly goes through 200. The feeling is glass-smooth." Bob further accelerated to max continuous power to measure cruise speeds at 3,000'. "The air is perfectly calm and she flies like she's on rails. I take a few minutes to just relax and enjoy the sensation of rocketing across the countryside. What an amazing machine."

Thursday's third flight explored handling characteristics at moderate speeds, which proved to be very crisp, and the flight even included a few barrel rolls. "She's similar enough to JSX-1 that I'm feeling pretty comfortable, even with the limited total flight time today," remarked Bob.

Stalls were explored during the day's flying and were observed to be well-mannered and to present plenty of warning – in fact, the stall took considerable work to induce. Landings on the new shock-absorbing retractable gear were notably smooth. Two more flights were conducted on Friday to continue the evaluation and to prepare for demonstration fly-by's at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. "The flight test team appreciated the North/South (18/36) Wittman Regional Airport runway for this early testing," said Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett. "The Wittman Control Tower staff was very helpful and accommodating to the special requirements of these flights."

The SubSonex design team will be working to collect and analyze flight data in-order to finalize published performance numbers for the new jet -- the last step remaining before SubSonex Kit Reservation Deposit holders are given their opportunity to place firm orders for 2014 kit production, after which time orders will be opened to the general public for deliveries in 2015. The SubSonex will be sold as a Quick Build Kit only, and will include almost everything required to fly with the exception of avionics and paint. Available options for the SubSonex Personal Jet include cabin heat, oxygen, MGL iEFIS touch screen avionics, and more.

JSX-2 is a highly refined version of the SubSonex Personal Jet vs. the original proof-of-concept aircraft, JSX-1. Like JSX-1, the new JSX-2 model is powered by the PBS TJ-100 engine, producing approximately 250 lbs of thrust in an advanced, fully integrated package. The new jet features a larger, more comfortable cockpit, a larger instrument panel, fully retractable landing gear, a BRS full-aircraft recovery parachute, higher fuel capacity in a rotationally molded cross-linked polyethylene fuel cell, easily removable wings, and a more sculpted and aesthetically pleasing nose section. "It’s really rewarding to see a rough proof-of-concept prototype in JSX-1 turn into a very refined and capable product," remarks John Monnett, Sonex Aircraft founder, president and designer of the SubSonex Personal Jet.