Viper Aircraft ViperJet
Viper Aircraft · United States · first flew 1999 · light aircraft
The Viper Aircraft ViperJet is an American kit-built single-engine jet aircraft designed to evoke the appearance of a military trainer, first flown in October 1999.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Military-jet-styled homebuilt kit aircraft with tandem cockpit
- Side-mounted lateral air intakes, swept low wing
- Single turbojet, retractable tricycle gear, composite construction
The sharply swept low wing, lateral fuselage intakes, and tandem bubble canopy over a very small fuselage give the ViperJet a strong visual resemblance to a miniature military jet trainer.
Specifications
- The Viper Aircraft ViperJet has a length of 7.8 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.48 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 804 km/h (500 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Viper Aircraft Corporation, the ViperJet was offered in kit form to amateur builders seeking the experience of jet flight without military operating costs. The Mark II version used a General Electric J85 turbojet, substantially increasing performance.
Variants
The ViperJet Mk I used a Turbomeca Marboré; the Mk II adopted the more powerful GE J85.
Where you'll see it
The ViperJet operates as an experimental homebuilt aircraft under FAA Experimental certification; no military use.
Related aircraft
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