EAA Experimenter 9
SONEX AIRCRAFT LLC has a new purchase
option for the SubSonex personal jet.
Originally offered only as an ultra
quick-build kit in the experimental
exhibition category, customers will
now have the option to choose a new
quick-build kit that is in compliance
with experimental/amateur-built
(E-AB) standards.
Sonex also announced that the in-
troductory pricing for the SubSonex
jet announced at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2013 will be extended through
March 31, 2014.
"Immediately after announcing the
SubSonex kit deposit program at Osh-
kosh 2013, customers voiced their desire
for an E-AB-compliant kit," Sonex
President and Founder John Monnett
said. "Our extension of the introduc-
tory pricing will allow those customers
to place their E-AB kit orders with the
same guaranteed special pricing struc-
ture. This option is primarily being of-
fered to help those outside of the United
States import and gain approval for the
SubSonex in their home countries, with
most countries of ering a clear path for
certifi cation of homebuilt aircraft."
The SubSonex JSX-2 quick-build
kits will come at a slightly lower price,
$120,000 versus $125,000 for the ex-
perimental exhibition ultra quick-build
kit, and all deposit holders will have
an opportunity to select the kit of their
choice upon placing firm orders later
this year.
Orders placed after March 31 will
be at the full retail kit price of $135,000
($130,000 for the E-AB kit).
SubSonex jet E-AB builders will
have to construct a few more parts of
the aircraft, including construction and
installation of items such as the tail
surfaces, control surfaces (rudderva-
tors, ailerons, flaps), and windshield. A
pending FAA National Kit Evaluation
Team audit will confirm the final list
of tasks required for completion by
the builder.
To aid customers in their decision-
making process, Sonex Aircraft has
prepared a downloadable experimental
exhibition versus E-AB summary avail-
able at
www.SonexAircraft.com/subsonex/
SubSonex_E-E_vs_EAB_Comparison.pdf
.
The JSX-2's development since
AirVenture 2013 remains on schedule.
"With design and prototyping activi-
ties closing in on the final detail phases
of systems installations, we anticipate
coming very close to the original target
for the first flight of JSX-2, anticipated
for the March/April 2014 time frame
(weather permitting)," Monnett said.
Sonex also announced further
developments regarding the letter of
authorization (LOA) qualification for
SubSonex pilots. SubSonex primary
test pilot Bob Carlton has obtained
approval for a PBS TJ-100 turbojet
training program using his two-place
TJ-100 powered BonusJet sailplane
operated by his primary business, Des-
ert Aerospace. Any prospective pilot
looking to learn the flight operations of
the TJ-100 engine may train with Bob
in the BonusJet with no requirement to
hold a glider pilot certificate. This de-
velopment is important, as it will serve
to greatly simplify the requirements for
pilots to obtain a SubSonex LOA.
More information can be found on
the Sonex website,
www.SonexAircraft.
com/subsonex
, including a new JSX-1
flying video featuring in-flight com-
mentary from test pilot Bob Carlton.
Sonex Offers Ultra Quick-
Build Kit for SubSonex Jet
Nominations are now being accepted
for two awards presented annually
at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh—the
Tony Bingelis Award and the Spirit of
Flight Award.
The Bingelis Award honors the
memory of the late Tony Bingelis, EAA's
highly regarded homebuilding author-
ity, author, and former columnist in
EAA Sport Aviation. The award recog-
nizes people who have made signifi cant
contributions to encourage the building
of aircraft, including the promotion of
safety, and for maintaining the values of
EAA. A nominee must have been an ac-
tive and current EAA technical counsel-
or for fi ve consecutive years.
Download
a nomination form
.
The Spirit of Flight Award was estab-
lished in 1997 by the Society of Experi-
mental Test Pilots and Scaled Compos-
ites to recognize an EAA member who
best exemplifi es the spirit of research,
development, or fl ight testing. Nominees
should promote air safety, strengthen the
infl uence of the test pilot on aeronautical
progress, and continuously evaluate the
adequacy of fl ight equipment.
Download
a nomination form
.
If you have any questions, please call
the EAA Safety Programs Of ce at 888-
322-4636, ext. 6864. Nominations must
be made by March 31, 2014.
Nominations Sought for Tony Bingelis,
Spirit of Flight Awards
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