Has anyone built and flown one of these? What are your thoughts on it? Any significant issues with it? I'm in the market for a 25lb class turbine kit and the Simjet looks like it's the only game in town. No dealers or reps please. I would like to hear from an actual customer in the field. Thanks in advance for your insight.

Terry

Hi Terry,

I'm a rep. that is intimately familiar with the Sonic 120. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me.

Craig

Terry

I do not have a sonic kit but I do have two Simjet engines. I have a 1200 and a 2300 both of which I bought used. They have been great engines.

Gary

I built the Sonic 120 some time ago..

some old pictures.....: http://bornholm.adsl.dk/modelfly/hp/kassen.htm

I have just finished building the sonic 120 it took me 2-3 hours the quality of the parts was excelent the instructions were first class + I save ££££ when comparing the price to other built turbine manufacturers no names don't want to be set upon. I am an end user and without question WILL be buying another

other engines

simjet 3000
wren 54
ram

feel free to pm me or ask for pics.

ps do not be put off buy the statement I had said to me " it must be crap if its so much cheaper" rubbish - I have never had a problem with my 3000 in the 2 years I've had it - simjet just have there pricing spot on - In fact 2 J**C** users said to me last friday at the abingdon jet meet how smooth and quick the startup and also how well it runs (its in a kangaroo on the lowest power setting and it still accells vertical.)

all the best

Ant

Laura

Ps: My name will be dirt but ask anyone that was there.

I finished the Sonic 8000 kit a couple of months ago. I have not flown the jet as of yet but I can give you my observations so far.
The kit was easy to assemble, instructions were clear and well translated. The kit was complete with all the necessary hardware. When I started the jet for the first time she started right up, no issue. I started it up a few more times after that and it seems to have plenty of power and good response, even with the ECU turned down. I then sent it back to Simjet for final balance and re-tunning of the ECU. The engine will not put out full power until Simjet does this after assembly. If I had any negative comments so far is that it has to go overseas for the balancing. I am not in that big of a hurry so it does not matter that much, but I can see how it could.

Laura.

What is the purpose of this comment? What good will it bring anyone, that you comment on something that happened 4 or 5 years ago.

If this is how you comment on issues, you might as well go back to kindergarden. (Sorry) I'm sure you can do better

I just finished my Sonic a few weeks ago, but no jet yet. I'm still waiting for my DV8R to show up lol, soon I hope! I think you're ahead of the game by putting the unit together just to get a feel for how everything works. The fact that it's priced lower than other built turbines is just a bonus. I would hardly call this a kit, more like a bolt together arf engine. The most important thing is the support you'll get. Ed, Kevin and Lars are really great. It's that service that will keep me a customer for a long time to come.

Shaun Bell

Laura,
I have to agree with stig simply because I know the history of the simjet electronics was a bit rocky they HAVE now sorted this out - they even offer the gaspar fadec with there engines. It is a shame when people keep beating simjet with a yard stick that is clearly 4-5 years old. Every thing changes and evolves for the better hense the statement you learn from your mistakes.


All the best

PS hows the driving going.


Ant

Driving is going ok......Can't bay park properly yet.....
Beating Simjet with a yard stick emmmm....People say about AMT, heavy drink fuel....
They say Jetcat slow on throttle...
Everyone of them has there faults but can't tell it on here...


C ya
L

Hello Laura.

Is there anything to gain for anybody, from theese comments?

By the way. I'm a SimJet guy myself, and I have never been let down in any way.

But I'm not bashing other brands of turbines because of it. I usually say, that all the brands on the market are good,-------- otherwise they wouldn't be on the market. It's as simple as that.

Good luck with your driving lessons.

Stig
I have to support what was said by Laura, it was a fact, i was there, i was also there when it happend to 3 other S...Ts in 3 other aircraft (twice to the S...T UK rep). As i understand it, all is well now with the new Gaspar Fadec, i dont think she was being 'anti' just quoting what happened. Things like this do not help any brand, but that is what an open forum is all about!
As for 'return to kindergarten' do you not think that is a sign of a week argument when you have to resort to insults!

Hi Paul.

It wasn't meant as an insult. (Maybe it's my bad English) I think Laura would have commented on that, if she thought it was. The problem with written text is, that the tone of voice always depends on, who is reading it.

Still, I don't think that a 4 or 5 yeard old incident is worth anything in any discussion of today. No matter if it's one or the other brand of turbine, they have all had incidents along the way, that have made it neccesary to improve their product. We don't live in the past, but in the present. So, therefore any argumentation should relate to the present.

Please excuse my intervetion, but Paul must remember five years ago, we were flying Roo's with Sophia 850's that would wet start once in every two attempts and flame out as many times. So, back then, many engine makers were having teething problems,so was Simjet, and let me tell you, I have had MANY engines of every make you can imagine and not all of them were flawless. So, we all have invested a fair amount of money in turbines, and all so that, now we can enjoy this part of the hobby with less glitches.

Attached, you'll find a photo of my engines, three years ago, today there are twice as many.

BRG,
Chris

No argument on the point regarding living in the present, completely agree. Engines have moved on considerably in the last 4 years. I was talking to one of the Simjet team in the UK on Sunday, we were talking about engine (as normal) If you look at all engines, the turbines are well sorted, it now seems to be peripherals that are the issue, ie pumps, ECU, Battery's.
With regard to the sophia, the very nature of the engine (being liquid start) produces flames at the rear.
A friend of mine is still running his, and he has 3 more! His engine works really well and has survived many crashes over the years, i have no idea how many hours it has but it is a hell of a lot. That engine always produces flames at startup, it is very exiting to watch. We were flying his 1/6th scale Hawk last year and the sound of the start coupled with the flames was a real crowd pleaser.

Anyway Stig, how are you doing? Haven't seen you for a long time.

I think knowing each turbines faults when you come into the hobby is agood thing, that way you make your own mind up....
There aren't many that tell exactly what has happened or what they think of their turbine....
Most who have bought/sponsored their turbine are biased....
Perhaps my dad and I are the odd few that say exactly what we think.


Laura

Ps: Paul, you spoke to Ron Sweeney lately?

Thanks Paul, I'm doing just fine. Too many projects, though. Might come and visit you guys in the near future. (St. Athans maybe)

How about yourself?

Stig
I am rushed off my feet at the moment, enjoying my flying. Discovered the Wren 44 and Savex L39, best combination i have known, perfect pair.
I should be at St Athen all being well.
I am sending you a PM

Laura
Yes i have spoken to Ron, met him at the AGM, he is one that is very unhappy, even today!

.