OSHKOSH — Sonex Aircraft has launched a new sales strategy for the SubSonex Personal Jet, with a reduced airframe price to put this aircraft into the hands of more pilots.
The SubSonex package is now available in separate purchases of Airframe, PBS TJ-100 engine, optional
BRS package, and other optional accessories.
The SubSonex airframe is available as an Experimental-Amateur Built-compliant Quick Build kit package for $42,000. The airframe kit only needs engine, avionics, upholstery and finishing materials in order to fly, offering a “Sub-100 SubSonex” kit plus engine package for $97,000, and allowing customers to split those costs over the span of the aircraft’s build time, according to company officials.
“At this phase of the aircraft’s development, many previously-unknown cost factors have been defined, and we can apply more-efficient costing and Quick Build construction processes to produce the kit,” said Sonex GM Mark Schaible. “The SubSonex program has reached a tremendous level of maturity in its design and production phases of development. The aircraft has reached a level of maturity when it comes to flight test and fleet hours with reliable service as well, thanks in large part to the efforts of Bob Carlton flying many test flight hours in JSX-2 N141SJ, plus multiple aerobatic performances (day and night) at nine airshows during the 2015 show season with many practice and media flights.”
Sonex now has its second JSX-2 prototype flying, N241SJ, along with first flights of the first customer-built SubSonex by Redge Greenberg.
Milestones in pilot certification have also been passed, with 10 LOAs issued to date for the SubSonex design, which further cements a place for the SubSonex within FAA policy, he noted.
Let’s see, an aerobatic jet for $97 grand or an amphibious toy (ICON) for a quarter million? That’s an easy one, ZOOM.
I would love to see a future two place side by side version with two turbines and at least a 450-600NM range. Some luggage space (100 pounds minimum) for real X-C travels, would be appreciated. Simplicity and utility is the name of the game with a tougher landing gear for those grass strips. Cruise speed of 160-180 knots at 7000 ft would be acceptable and a ceiling of about 16000 plus feet. That would be a new design, but sure bet would have quite a bit of interest, especially with these small turbojet power plants which surely will get more powerful and efficient. I am impressed with the videos of the SONEX jet. I’m now a long ago Naval trained Aviator and have about 1400 hour flying with turbines. (Only one failure in that time. It was a 15 hour overhauled engine with a defective bearing.) My wife and I travel the country in our Cherokee. Not fast, but we are no longer in any real hurry.
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There must be an incredible amount of people out there with an incredible amount of money!!!!
Still need jet type rating for this?
No, experimental, fly fast!
G, can you substantiate your anwer?
Yes you absolutely do need a type rating because it’s a jet. Bob Carlton I believe has the approved program for this airplane in his jet sailplane. The FAA does your check ride via radio from the ground and go pro video evaluation. This is a single seat airplane so they use the 2 seat jet sailplane to give the instruction.
It is an experimental airplane…so it’s actually NOT a type rating…but an LOA (Letter of Authorization) from the FAA.