Sat, Oct 04, 2008
Revitalized Jet Includes New Williams FJ44-3As
Sierra Industries tells ANN the company has achieved another
milestone in its latest Williams re-engining modification program.
The Citation S550-based Sierra Super S-II made its maiden flight at
Sierra's Uvalde, TX modification center last month.
The company says the Super S-II test aircraft's 36 minute flight
on September 26 illustrated the dramatic performance improvements
of the dual FADEC-controlled Williams FJ44-3A engines. The aircraft
reportedly reached 18,000 feet in only 3 minutes and 45
seconds.
Mark Huffstutler, Sierra's CEO and chief test pilot, exercised
the Super S-II on its maiden flight, performing a variety of
in-flight system checks. Tests included in-flight shutdown and
restart of each engine, stalls and pressurization checks.
"This was a superb first flight -- everything worked so well, it
seemed almost routine," Huffstutler said after the flight. "There
is no substitute for sheer power -- just what this aircraft needed
to achieve its full potential."
First flight of the Super S-11 occurred days after the FAA
approved the Supplemental Type Certificate for the "regular" Super
II modification for Citation 550s,
as ANN reported. Sierra's newest re-engining
program involves adding the 2820 lb.-thrust Williams FJ44-3A
engines to the Cessna S550 Citation S-II model.
Sierra followed up the first flight with second jaunt on October
1. In a flight lasting 2.9 hours, the aircraft achieved a 43,000 ft
cruising altitude and well over 400 knots true airspeed with
surprisingly low fuel consumption. The company notes that after
nearly 3 hours in the air, the Sierra Super S-II landed with fuel
tanks still over half full.
Sporting an advanced supercritical wing design, the FJ44-powered
Sierra Super S-II is designed to provide a "stunning" improvement
in across-the-board performance. Sierra plans to conduct full
flight testing shortly after the aircraft's return from the annual
NBAA convention October 6-8, 2008.
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