Silent J
Alisport [IT]
Bob CARLTON is the owner and pilot of this Silent J glider, which he modified into a twin-jet configuration. The aircraft is powered by two turbojet engines. AMT-USA AT-450, qui produisent environ 20 kgp de poussée chacunes. Les premières présentation en meeting remontent à 2004.
The airframe is that of an Alisport Silent ultralight glider (here fitted with a 12 m wingspan), originally powered by a 28 hp two-stroke Koenig engine driving a single-blade propeller. The empty weight, including the turbines, is 194 kg. Fuel capacity is 42 liters, providing about 30 minutes of operation at full power and up to 1 hour in cruise at 100 knots (at 10,000 ft).
The rate of climb is at least 500 ft/min at 70 knots (standard conditions).
The longest powered flight performed by Bob lasted 52 minutes. On that occasion, he was released at 6,200 feet above ground level, then gained an additional 2,000 feet at a speed of 100 knots.
The typical takeoff weight, with Bob on board, full fuel, and pyrotechnic systems mounted at the wingtips (used for airshows), is approximately 320 kg.
Each turbine weighs 2.5 kg, and the pylon supporting them is fully retractable. All engine operations (start-up, shutdown, ventilation) are managed by an electronic control unit (ECU). Throttle control is of the fly-by-wire type.
Not only is this glider capable of taking off under its own power, but it is also sufficiently maneuverable to allow Bob to display it at airshows during low-altitude maneuvers.
Sources and Notes
Bob Carlton
Bob Carlton began flying in 1979 at the age of 19. He has since logged over 2000 hours in a wide variety of aircraft and holds a commercial pilot certificate. Bob has flown hang gliders, airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes from hundreds of sites in the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Bob has flown airshows professionally since 1993. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a member of SSA and ICAS.
Bob is one of the most versatile airshow performers in North America. He began flying airshows in his Salto sailplane, and over the years has continued to add innovative performances such as barnstormin’ biplane aerobatics, helicopter sailplane tow, night aerobatics with strobes & pyro and the world’s only twin jet sailplane. The tradition of innovation continues with the recent addition of the Super Salto jet sailplane, with more power, more speed and more aerobatic capability than any other sailplane on the planet!
Bob Carlton is a retired rocket scientist for a major national laboratory.
We would like to thanks Bob for all informations he always authorized us to publish. We congratulate him on all his jet projects and all his work with Vertigo Airshows and Desert Aerospace
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