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 some 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.

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