Tom Larkin – Mini Jet Airshows

Mini Jet Airshows is a lifelong dream of the pilot, Tom “Lark” Larkin. Having watched the BD-5J perform as a child at a local air show, and then later becoming a fighter pilot, airline pilot, and aerobatic pilot; it was always Lark’s dream to perform at air shows in a “mini” jet.

What started off as a half partnership in an RV-6 with his brother Larry, eventually turned into a Christen Eagle, Panzl, Staudacher, and several other aerobatic aircraft. This all culminated in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase and perform in a SubSonex Jet.  At only 500 lbs, with speeds up to 300 mph, Tom and his Mini Jet put on one of the most unique and exciting air show performances in the country!

*Performers are subject to change without notice

LARKIN’S JSX003 SUBSONEX JET

The “star” of Mini Jet Airshows is a highly modified SubSonex Jet, otherwise known as JSX003. The SubSonex is an experimental jet that comes as a kit. It weighs 500 lbs, goes up to 300 mph, and it is fully aerobatic. This particular aircraft was the first kit ever sold and flown, and it has been flying for approximately 8 years. 

The jet is powered by the PBS TJ-100 jet engine from the Czech Republic, and at full throttle it is capable of producing 258 lbs of thrust while burning 45 gallons/hr of jet fuel. As beautiful as the jet is, there is no paint on it. It is completely wrapped in a vinyl covering, similar to a show car. The smoke system is totally custom and it puts out a tremendous smoke trail from start to finish, burning about 7 gallons of smoke oil per show.