Nemesis NXT Official Internet Site

Designed to Go Fast

Jon Sharp, flying the record breaking NemesisNXT will attempt to break the C1-B 3 KM (1.864 miles) record this week at the world renowned AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI. The current record stands at 331 mph that was set in 1989 by Richard Gritter in a Questair Venture. Per Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) rules, a record attempt must show a minimum 1 percent increase to be valid, so Sharp is aiming for at least 334.31 mph.

It’s a matter of time

The 3 km record is one of the oldest and most prestigious of the all the world speed records since is proves the true speed of the aircraft over a straight line, under the prevailing meteorological conditions. The category specifies the type and weight of the aircraft. Thus the C1-b category is land planes with a take off weight of 1102 - 2205 lbs (500 to 1000 kg). The course is actually 5 km (3.10 miles) in length. So imagine 1 km at each end of a 3 km straight-line course for the purpose controlling altitude entering and exiting the track. There is an altitude restriction of 500 ft. for the entire 5 km. The timing gates are placed at each end of the 3 km length. Four consecutive passes, in opposing directions, through the timing gates are required and there is an altitude limit of 1500 ft. outside the 5 km course for turn arounds, and, as stated above, 500 feet while on the course. The speed is then calculated by averaging the time of the four passes.

History in the making

Sharp and Team Nemesis are continuing their tradition of breaking records. The goal is to add yet another record to their credit with the 3 KM attempt at the AirVenture 2008. Starting with his own design, the Nemesis, in the 1990’s, Sharp and his team went on to capture 16 plus world speed records, 9 consecutive Reno Gold National Championships and numerous awards. The Nemesis now rests comfortably in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. But why stop there? Jon, and his team of visionaries designed yet another speedster in the sky, the NemesisNXT. Currently, Sharp and his NXT hold three race records and two Gold National Championships (2006 & 07) in the Sport Class at the Reno National Air Races. The records were all broken at the 2007 National Championships at Reno and include a qualifying record of 386.9 mph, heat race record of 384.7 mph and a Gold race record of 385.6 mph.

Records are made to be broken

The present C1-b 3 KM Record is 331 mph and was set in 1989 by Richard Gritter in a Questair Venture. Sharps record attempt must show at least 1 percent increase of speed to qualify as a record. So, doing the math, Jon’s speed must exceed 334 mph. If speed and weather conditions are with Team Nemesis, history can be documented in the Home Page.