Sino Swearingen has stepped up the FAA certification programme of its corporate SJ30-2 twinjet aircraft with high-speed flight testing at maximum operating speeds.

With a Hawker Hunter 58 supersonic fighter used as the chase plane, a production model reached Mach .83 (558 mph) in level flight during envelope expansion tests.

Chief test pilot Carroll Beeler said: “Envelope expansion was completed with no problems at all. The high-speed points to .83 were flutter free, stable and matched all predictions. The SJ30-2 is one exceptional aircraft. The outstanding attribute is its ability to obtain and sustain high speeds at very low fuel burns.”

Bob Kromer, manager of flight test operations, stated: “Finding a chase airplane with similar high-speed drag characteristics to the SJ30 proved difficult.

“The supersonic Hawker Hunter proved the closest to matching the high-speed profile and manoeuvrability of the aircraft.”

Swearingen claims that the aircraft has a 2,500 nm range and will cruise at speeds in excess of mach .80. It also says that the SJ30 will operate at altitudes up to 49,000 feet, whilst maintaining a ‘sea level cabin’ to 41,000 feet.

Dr Carl Chen, president and ceo of Swearingen Aircraft said: “These tests are additional confirmation that the SJ30-2 corporate twin jet has exceeded the performance levels of all aircraft in its class. With

cruise speeds in excess of mach .80 through 41,000 feet, the aircraft’s performance stands alone in the corporate light jet market.”