Mon, Jun 07, 2010
Desert Aerospace Develops Self-Launching Sailplane With A
"James Bond" Retractable Jet Engine
Albuquerque-based Desert Aerospace, LLC has taken a piece of
each end of the aviation spectrum and married them in a single
aircraft. On Monday, the company announced the completion of
certification tests flights of the new TST-14J 'BonusJet' two seat,
self-launching sailplane.
The BonusJet features a jet engine that can be retracted into
the fuselage for high performance cross country soaring. The unique
jet powered self-launching sailplane is also suitable for pilot
training and racing. With a 56 foot span, the BonusJet has
excellent soaring performance, and is likely the most efficient and
eco-friendly jet aircraft ever produced.
The jet engine can be extended and restarted in flight.
The start sequence is fully automatic, requiring only the flick of
a switch by the pilot, reducing the cockpit workload during a
critical 'low-save' situation while soaring. The jet modification
was designed and installed by Desert Aerospace in the US. It is a
modification of the TST-14 Bonus glider, manufactured by TeST
Gliders (a division of Comp-Let), in the Czech Republic. The
TJ-100 jet engine is manufactured by PBS, whichis also in the Czech
Republic.
"The jet engine makes perfect sense for a self-launching
sailplane or other light aircraft," says Desert Aerospace test
pilot, Bob Carlton. "It is small, lightweight and
simple. It is also glass-smooth when running, eliminating the
component and airframe damage caused by engine vibration."
Desert Aerospace, LLC has developed several small jet powered
aircraft, including the Super Salto aerobatic jet sailplane, in
which Carlton flies airshow performances worldwide. Desert
Aerospace intends to market the BonusJet, as well as other jet
sailplane conversions. They represent PBS in the US and are
developing an extreme light jet (XLJ) kit airplane for the
home-built market. The BonusJet will be on display at EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2010.
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