The Jonker JS-3 Rapture is a modern, high-performance single-seat sailplane developed in South Africa by Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd. Founded in 2004 by brothers Attie and Uys Jonker, the company sought to build upon the success of its first type, the JS-1 Revelation, which first flew in 2006. The JS-3 was designed by the firm's in-house engineering team as a successor to the JS-1, specifically targeting the requirements of top-level gliding competitions. The aircraft made its maiden flight on 12 December 2016, exactly ten years after the JS-1's first flight.
Designed for versatility, the JS-3 is capable of competing in both the FAI 15 m and 18 m classes through the use of interchangeable wingtips. The airframe is constructed from a composite blend of carbon fibre, glass-fibre, and Kevlar. To maximize efficiency, the aircraft features a high aspect ratio wing and full-span flaperons, enabling a maximum glide ratio of 55:1 at a speed of 120 km/h. Its performance is further characterized by a minimum rate of sink of 0.49 m/s and a maximum wing loading of 60.36 kg/m².
One of the most distinctive features of the JS-3 is its propulsion options. The jet-sustainer variant utilizes a retractable M & D Flugzeugbau MD-TJ42 turbojet. This single-spool turbine, weighing 3.3 kg, features a two-stage axial-centrifugal stator-less compressor and a cannular combustion chamber. It produces a maximum thrust of 35 daN at sea level, with a maximum fuel consumption of 60 kg/h. In addition to the jet, Jonker introduced the RES (rear electric propulsion) system. By early 2024, approximately half of all JS-3s produced were equipped with RES, which allows for electric takeoff and self-launch capabilities.
Production began in 2016 to support the 2017 World Gliding Championships in Benalla, Australia, and continues to the present day. As of October 2023, at least 200 aircraft had been built, with official company reports in April 2024 confirming a total of 212 units delivered worldwide. The JS-3 has become a dominant force in international competition; at one World Gliding Championship, 21 out of 32 competitors in the 18 m class utilized the Rapture. Due to its recent introduction and ongoing production, the aircraft remains in active service with private owners and national competition pilots, with no known military service or museum placements.