Page 8 - Volume 20 Number 7

DATA CHART – All Speeds in IAS
Comp-Test TST-14J BonusJet Sonex JSX-2 SubSonex
Engine PBS TJ-100 Turbojet, 247 lbs. Takeoff Thrust, Standard Exhaust
Engine Weight: 44 lbs. including operating fluids
Engine Thrust-to-Weight
Ratio: 5.61:1
PBS TJ-100 Turbojet, 247 lbs. Takeoff Thrust, Bifurcated Exhaust Engine Weight: 44 lbs. including operating fluids
Engine Thrust-to-Weight
Ratio: 5.61:1
Wingspan 55.8 feet 18 feet
Length 27.1 feet 16 feet, 6 inches
Height 3.9 feet 5 feet, 1 inches
Wing Area 130.2 ft.2 60 ft.2
Max Gross Weight 1,234 lbs. 1,000 lbs. (Utility) 900 lbs. (Aerobatic)
Useful Load 453 lbs. ~500 lbs.
Wing Loading (1g) 9.48 lbs./ft.2 16.67 lbs./ft.2 (Utility) 15 lbs./ft.2 (Aerobatic)
Aircraft Thrust-to- 1:4.99 1:4.05 (Utility) Weight Ratio (Takeoff 1:3.64 (Aerobatic) Thrust @ MGW)
Fuel Capacity (usable) 24.0 gal. 39.5 gal.
Fuel Burn 30-32 gph @ Max Takeoff Thrust 30-32 gph @ Max Takeoff Thrust 15-16 gph @ Max Cruise Thrust 15-16 gph @ Max Cruise Thrust
Brakes Berringer disc brake on single Dual-disc brakes on each main main wheel gear gear
Landing Gear Single main wheel, nose wheel Retractable Tricycle: Dual-tire for normal loaded configuration, mains, single-tire nose
tail wheel for resting condition (unloaded).
Cockpit Flight Dual center control sticks, left Right hand side-stick, left hand Controls hand thrust & spoiler levers thrust & flap levers
Minimum Controllable 45-50 kts. ~60-70 mph (depending on Airspeed configuration)
Stall Speeds 38 kts. ~56 (Vso), ~65 (Vs) mph
Maneuvering Speed 81 kts. @MGW 157 mph @MGW (Va)
Max Gear Speeds N/A 125 mph (Vlo & Vle)
Max Flaps Speed No Flaps. Spoilers may be 125 mph (Vfe) deployed up to Vne (111 kts.)
Cruise Climb Speed 60-65 kts. 150 mph
Cruise Speed 50-60 kts. (thermalling) 200-250 mph based on altitude 57 kts. (best glide speed) (Typically 225 mph at 14,000’)
46 kts. (minimum sink speed)
Never Exceed Speed 111 kts. 287 mph (250 Kts)
(Vne) Mach 0.386 (@ 10,000’)
Final Approach 60-65 kts. (w/ spoilers extended) 85-90 mph (Vref)-Full Flaps
Takeoff Distance (@ ~500' @ S.L. ~1,000' @ S.L. MGW)
Landing Distance (@ ~1,000' @ S.L. ~1,500' @S.L. MGW)
For size perspective, the author placed his iPhone4® next to the SubSonex’s main gear. Each
tire is inflated to 75-psi and is about the size of a breakfast waffle. Though short-stroked, the struts provide sufficient shock adsorption for landing.
the go-to aircraft for TJ-100 dual instruction. In the process, it has helped create a whole new kind of jet pilot; the jet-glider pilot. Having a glider rating (or any glider experience at all) before flying the BonusJet is not necessary. Takeoffs are relatively conventional and are quick enough to prevent sloppy piloting from developing into real control issues. You’re airborne by 50 KIAS and climbing at a very conventional-feeling pitch attitude and vertical speed. Like all gliders, the TST-14 is a rudder- loving aircraft. Pilots quickly learn the meaning of adverse-yaw, if they insist on leading turns with aileron rather than rudder. The yaw-string on each canopy can resemble a windshield wiper as pilots comically wallow around the yaw axis, getting the feel for when to use rudder and how much. Yet, the BonusJet has overall docile handling, in both jet-powered and powerless soaring modes.
Intentionally shutting down your only jet engine in flight feels strange, but the fun is seeing it retract into
6 • TWIN & TURBINE
the fuselage via the rearview mirror, followed by the serene silence of soaring flight (minus the fear of “landing out”, should lift prove elusive). The TJ-100 can be extended,
started, and warmed-up in less than two minutes. At best-glide speed, the TST-14 loses less than 300-feet of altitude in two minutes!
JULY 2016