Sino Swearingen says its SJ30-2 aircraft programme is on schedule for the first flight in March 2000, and is offering SJ30-2 customers an engine maintenance programme to accurately forecast engine operating costs. \rThe forward fuselage assembly for what will be the first certification flight test SJ30-2 arrived at Sino Swearingen's San Antonio International Airport facilities in July while the mid- and aft-fuselage assemblies are scheduled to be delivered this month. The left and right wing assemblies are due in early December. \rThe forward fuselage for the next SJ30-2 airframe has also arrived in San Antonio and this next airframe will be used for static testing. Two more flight test aircraft follow in the assembly sequence, each about a month behind the next. They are followed by a fatigue test airframe. The wings and fuselage assemblies for these five SJ30-2 airframes, and all production SJ30-2 aircraft to follow, are built at Gamesa Aeronautica in Vitoria, Spain. \rProduction SJ30-2s will be assembled at the company's new 87,500 square foot facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The first manufacturing activity is scheduled to begin in Martinsburg this month. After the first flight, Sino Swearingen is planning a one-year flight test program to obtain a Part 23 Commuter Category type certificate from the FAA. Sino Swearingen says that while certification flight test programmes for business jets typically take longer than a year, the 350 hours of flight testing completed last year with a pre-production prototype will speed the process. \rHighlights of the testing, says Sino Swearingen, included flying the aircraft at speeds in excess of Mach .8 at an altitude of 43,000 feet, as well as a series of low speed handling and stall tests while the aircraft was equipped with a recovery-chute to ensure that the 'edge-of-the-envelope' manoeuvres could be conducted safely. \rSino Swearingen says: "In engine handling tests, the SJ30-2's Williams Rolls FJ44-2A fan jets performed in outstanding fashion. Pilots were extremely enthusiastic about the ease of operation with the engine's electronic fuel control system. "The SJ30-2 flew approximately 270 hours after the installation of the FJ44-2A engines in September of 1997. Prior to that, the SJ30-2 flew approximately 100 hours with FJ44-1 engines," it adds.\rSino Swearingen has now received orders for over 150 SJ30-2s and deliveries are expected to begin in early 2001, immediately following FAA initial type certification. Once the aircraft is delivered, SJ30-2 customers can take advantage of Sino Swearingen's Total Assurance Engine Programme (TAP) which is said to provide guaranteed cost of operation for the SJ30-2's Williams/Rolls FJ44-2A fan jet engines.\rParticipation in the joint Sino Swearingen and Williams International programme is also expected to increase the residual value of the SJ30-2 at resale, and to generate tax benefits for the owner. The TAP plan provides engine maintenance and support, including overhauls and parts replacement, at a guaranteed fixed fee, based on hours of operation. It covers all routine and major periodic inspections, as well as most unscheduled maintenance and service bulletins. Many high-cost cycle-limited parts are also included.\rService under the TAP plan is provided through Williams' worldwide network of authorised service centres, which includes most Sino Swearingen distributors. The programme is transferable when the aircraft is sold. \rThe TAP plan is offered in three levels: limited, preferred and elite, with each level offering progressively greater levels of customer protection at a slightly increased cost per hour. The elite level offers a fully comprehensive programme, covering virtually every aspect of engine inspection and maintenance. \r Additionally, Sino Swearingen has signed a 20-year agreement with FlightSafety International to provide the official worldwide factory authorised pilot and technician training for the SJ30-2. \rFlightSafety International will provide a Level 'D' SJ30-2 full flight simulator for use in initial and recurrent pilot training. FlightSafety will also provide training manuals and instructional systems, and develop the course software curriculum. It is anticipated that the FlightSafety Training Centre housing the SJ30-2 training programme will be located in San Antonio.