The First Customer Built SubSonex Personal Jet Has Made Its First Flight, Making It The Third Flying Aircraft

It was only a week ago that Sonex let us know they had completed their second factory SubSonex aircraft. Now, they are reporting that the first customer built kit version of the SubSonex has made its first flight.

Redge Greenberg of Durango, CO made the first flight of his SubSonex serial number JSX0003 on October 15th, which makes his SubSonex the first customer-built Personal Jet to fly. "I flew the SubSonex this morning, for about 35 minutes… all went well," writes Greenberg. "My regards to Dwight Tolfer who was a big help for me during the construction project that was done almost entirely in my garage."

Greenberg received the first SubSonex kit delivery in February, 2015, an Ultra-Quick-Build kit with optional Triton Trailer. The SubSonex is sold as a Quick Build Kit only, leaving very little work for the customer, and providing almost everything needed to fly with the exception of avionics and paint.

Two Quick Build Kit versions are offered: an experimental amateur built kit for the traditional builder including pre-built wings, fuselage and canopy; and an Experimental Exhibition category Ultra-Quick Build Kit with no “51 percent rule” requirement.

With the Ultra-Quick Build, the builder installs the removable outboard wing panels; engine and fuel system; bolt-in the retractable landing gear; avionics; electrical systems and controls; the BRS; fiberglass components and upholstery; and adds paint.

"I hold commercial glider, helicopter & single engine land licenses, accumulating 4500+ hours in numerous aircraft," wrote Greenberg, "but I never got the chance to fly a jet. I first saw the prototype of the SubSonex at Oshkosh, and followed the development for over a year. When Sonex offered the jet as a kit, I was first in line. Like my RV8, the SubSonex is aerobatic, but the Sonex Company also included a ballistic parachute for extra safety."

Six more customer kits are currently under construction.

(Image of Redge Greenberg  provided by Sonex)

FMI: www.sonexaircraft.com/