Sino Swearingen president and ceo Jack Braly flew the first SJ30-2 shortly before this years aborted NBAA convention. Meanwhile static tests of the aircraft are making “significant progress”.

“It’s going to be everything we promised,” Braly said as he climbed out of the aircraft after the hour-long flight. “Clearly we’ve got some development work to do, but it handles great and it’s definitely a hotrod when you push the power levers forward.”

The flight was cut short from two hours by the appearance of a low cloud deck; the SJ30-2 is not yet certified for instrument flight, and its test boom pilot system must be kept free of visible moisture.

Braly, an accomplished business jet pilot with extensive flight time in Beechjets, was accompanied by test pilot Carroll Beeler. He pronounced the aeroplane’s handling charac-teristics to be be “very similar to the non-conforming prototype”, which he flew before it was retired in 1999.

The prototype completed 400 flight hours, examining the aircraft’s flight characteristics at both high and low altitudes. One major difference on the production model is the landing gear, which is seven inches higher and a foot wider, providing more stability and better ground handling, according to Braly.

“The trailing link design made for a very smooth touchdown, even in a 15 knot crosswind. This aeroplane will help make the pilot look good,” he added.

The aeroplane that Braly flew is the first of three that will be used in Sino Swearingen’s FAA certification flight test programme. First deliveries are anticipated in mid 2003.

The static test programme began on August 15 after the airframe, designated TF-2, was fully instrumented and loaded into the test fixture. The static tests are scheduled to be completed by mid-summer 2002.

Eight major static tests are required to obtain Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA), which establishes the necessary requirements for the structural integrity and flight safety characteristics have been fulfilled. The static and fatigue testing are being accomplished in the company’s three-story hangar at San Antonio International Airport.