Kits Expected To Be Available By The End Of This Year
By Maria Morrison, SNFDD Feature Editor
Jet racing might be growing to encompass a whole new class-one that pilots can build themselves. After debuting the fuselage at AirVenture 2019, the Voodoo mini jet came to the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo this year complete with wings.
After the Oshkosh debut, designer, developer, and owner Jeff Kerlo was requested to come to the 2019 Reno Air Races to help promote the idea of a new jet class.
"The aircraft's presence there spawned a great deal of interest among many of the racers presently competing in the jet class," Kerlo said.
This engagement was what propelled the timeline of the fully working product. In a non-pandemic timeline, the 2020 Reno Air Races would have featured the first demonstration race of the new class.
The "affordable new jet class" that Kerlo is working toward would currently feature Voodoo and the SubSonex personal jet.
Kits are expected to be available for purchase at the end of the fourth quarter of this year. Four customers are already lined up to build the aircraft, some for future airshow activity, Kerlo said.
The carbon fiber kit is a fast build, which can go "buy to fly" in under a year, Kerlo said. With diligent effort, it could even be ready to compete in six months. The racing design would be power by a PVS TJ100 jet engine, which could send it upwards of 320 mph.
The aircraft especially evokes memories amongst former military pilots, Kerlo said, providing an opportunity to relive their old days of flying.
It has attracted the attention of former BD-5J pilot Ed Johnson, who came to Sun 'n Fun specifically to see Voodoo, Kerlo said, and had a great time in the seat. After the experience, he even said that the new aircraft may have sparked anew his interest in the airshow world.
For those who aren't looking for gold in the newest racing class, Voodoo also comes in a piston-powered, propeller-driven version. On the low end, it can cruise at 165 mph. With the increase to 150 hp, it could fly up to 260 mph.
