Sino More, We Are Going To Make Jets

After many delays, Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation aircraft number 006 will take off Thursday (the day after NBAA ends) with the FAA aboard to begin its official acceptance flight.

The company received certification for its SJ-30-2 jet last year and it also received its first factory repair station license. The aircraft is certified for Day/Night/VFR/IFR flight into known icing certification.

At Monday's press conference, Mark Fairchild, engineer, test pilot and new head of Marketing for Sino Swearingen revealed to ANN the numbers on the aircraft:

• 320kts (mach 0.83)
• operating altitude 49,000 ft
• cabin pressure 12psi at 49,000 ft
• climb profile 250kts (mach 0.70)
• range: 1 pilot 2 pax 2500nm
             1 pilot 3 pax 2100nm
• Vref 100-110 kts

As the aircraft has a swept wing design, ANN asked about the new jet's stall characteristics. Mr. Fairchild replied that the stick shaker along with the design of the flaps, made the stall  with the swept wing aircraft extraordinarily docile.

Dr. Ching Kuo, Chairman and CEO of Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation told ANN that in addition to the stick shaker, the aircraft has leading edge slats deployed by the pilot using a single lever. They change the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing allowing a continuous flow of smooth air over the top. The aircraft stalls at 91 kts, Kuo says it's really a non-event.

The Sino Swearingen team is gearing up for production. Ed Gagnon - VP of customer support said that the company has "come a long way in customer support."

Carole Johnston from the Procurement Department says gearing up for production is "...a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun."

Stevens Aviation will provide service center support. The company, based in San Antonio, is an FAA Certified Service Repair Station, and it's already up and running.

Dr. Kuo will be heading to Martinsburg, WV on Wednesday. After a long haul, the company seems at last ready to start production.

FMI: www.sj30jet.com