Former Sino Swearingen president and ceo Jack Braly has been succeeded by Dr Carl Chen. Braly announced his intention to step down during a meeting of the company’s board of directors in mid-September.

In his first public statement as leader of Sino, Chen said: “With new funding in place, we will soon make history in delivering the first entirely new corporate jet from a start-up company in more than 40 years.

“Under Jack Braly’s leadership, Sino Swearingen has grown into a strong organisation that is poised

to complete the SJ30-2 programme and get it into production. We are pleased that he will continue to

serve in an advisory role as we move into the future.”

Sino’s Chairman of the Board, Chuen-Huei Tsai, said: “We are very pleased to have Dr. Chen join

our team. His extensive experience in aircraft certification and management makes him the right person to lead us at this stage in the company’s development.”

From early 1990 until January 2002, Chen was chairman, president and ceo of Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures (AASI).

While there, he oversaw the development of the JetCruzer 450 turboprop, which achieved certification in June 1994. Also under his leadership, the company went public at the end of 1996. Prior to joining AASI, Chen spent 15 years with Hughes Aircraft as a systems engineering manager.

Tsai added: “Our investors are committed to funding the prog-ramme to complete certification and delivery of the SJ30-2 business jet as soon as possible. The funding will come from existing shareholders.”