MicroJet Airshow - Torrey Ward
The Performer
MicroJet Airshow brings one of the most unique and conversation‑starting aircraft on today’s airshow circuit: a fully aerobatic, single‑engine micro jet that looks like a scale model—until it accelerates down the runway and lifts off under pure jet thrust. The act showcases modern jet technology shrunk to its absolute minimum, delivering high‑energy performance in a compact footprint that fits perfectly into tightly confined airshow boxes.
At the heart of the act is the SubSonex JSX‑2 microjet, one of the smallest jet aircraft currently flying in public demonstrations. With its tiny airframe, impressive thrust‑to‑weight ratio, and unmistakable turbine sound, the MicroJet Airshow delivers jet performance closer to the crowd than most spectators have ever experienced.
The Aircraft: SubSonex JSX‑2 Microjet
The SubSonex JSX‑2 is a single‑seat, experimental jet aircraft inspired by the legendary BD‑5J microjet that captivated airshow audiences and moviegoers in the 1980s. Advances in modern turbine technology finally made this concept practical, resulting in a reliable, aerobatic jet small enough to fit in a garage yet powerful enough to reach approximately 300 mph.
Key characteristics of the MicroJet include:
PBS TJ‑100 turbojet engine, producing roughly 250+ pounds of thrust
Extremely light airframe, weighing under 500 pounds empty
Performance envelope spanning roughly 90 to 300 mph
Capable of sustaining +5 to −1 G during the demonstration
Compact enough to operate in Category III airshow boxes, an allowance rarely granted to jet aircraft Despite its size, the SubSonex is not a novelty—every maneuver demands precise energy management, planning, and strict altitude discipline.
