Another Step Toward Certification

SJ30-2 flight test aircraft S/N 0004 (shown below, leading the formation with supersonic F-100 chase plane during high speed Mach .90 testing at Mojave Airport) successfully completed dive speed testing to Mach .90, according to a statement to ANN from Sino Swearingen. The dive testing is required to confirm the Mmo (Maximum Mach operating speed) of Mach .83 and to confirm that the aircraft does not encounter flutter at any operating speeds or safety margin speeds to Mach .90.

The speed tests to Mach .90 were flown by SSAC Project Test Pilot, John Siemens as left seat command pilot with second control pilots Erick Kinney and Tim Fitzgerald alternating flights and flight control as well as engineering duties in the right seat. The aircraft used is SSAC’s FAA conformed SJ30-2 twinjet S/N 0004, using Williams Rolls FJ44-2A engines with thrust output of 2,300 lbs each engine.

On board were a number of sensing and recording devices including three airspeed indicators and three pitot airspeed sensors, one mounted on a boom on the nose of the aircraft. In addition, a state-of-the-art telemetry system was in place on the aircraft with real-time display in the mobile ground station of over 20 critical flight parameters on both strip chart records and computer workstations.

The flight test team performed a number of tests totalling more than 60 hours of flight time. The aircraft was tested on 331 different criteria. The team performed the speed dive tests from altitudes starting as high as 45,000 ft finishing at 41,000 ft. and at 35,000 ft finishing at 28,000 ft as well as at low altitudes of 18,000 ft. Tests were accomplished with normal and aft CG configuration as well as with the yaw damper turned on and off. After flight testing was finished the company reports that it has passed the required speeds to Mach .90 dive testing to allow the SJ30-2 to be certified with a Mmo of Mach .83 with FAA certification projected to be finalized the second half of next year 2005.

"This is an incredible milestone for Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp and for the customers of the new SJ30-2 twinjet." said Dr. Carl L. Chen, CEO and President of SSAC. "The SJ30-2 is now solidly the world’s fastest light business jet in the 20,000 lbs and under category and is even faster than some medium and heavier twin jets.

FMI: www.sj30jet.com