SyberJet Aircraft has completed the first flight of its SJ30i aircraft featuring SyberVision, an all-new cockpit based around the Honeywell Epic 2.0 avionics suite with new ergonomic enhancements and an electronic standby attitude/heading display. The flight was conducted out of its engineering and product development centre at the San Antonio International airport and kicked off an 18-month certification test programme that will culminate in an amended type certificate for the SJ30i and immediate subsequent deliveries.

Chief engineering test pilot Mark Elwess and senior flight test engineer Robert Moehle put the aircraft through its paces during the flight: “We completed all of the test points planned for the first flight and got a look at how much easier the cockpit and systems are to manage with the new Honeywell Epic 2.0 cockpit.”

The SJ30i retains all of the same performance characteristics of the current SJ30-2 model, but features four 12-inch liquid crystal displays, including the SmartVie synthetic vision system (SVS), INAV moving map display system, electronics charts/maps, TCAS II, TAWS Level A, synoptic displays, dual flight management systems (FMS) with dual WAAS GPS/LPV, single inertial navigation system (IRS), onboard weather radar, full EICAS, electronic checklists, DME, ADS-B Out and 0.3 nm RNP, as well as support for FANS-1A, SmartLanding, SmartRunway, TOLD, ADS-B In, emergency descent mode and RVSM operations. Options include CPDLC, XM weather, flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, dual charts/maps, HF radio, satcom, enhanced vision systems, second MFD and the flexibility for other customer requests.

“The SJ30i takes the original SJ30-2 to the next level,” says vice president of customer experience Mark Fairchild. “While it remains the fastest and longest range jet in its class, the SJ30 now has all of the advances in cockpit and electronic design to make it simply the finest light jet available. It also features an all new interior design in conjunction with the lowest cabin altitude of any business jet flying today, to provide a bespoke experience for its passengers and crew.”

Syberjet president Chuck Taylor comments: “First flight of the SJ30i is a significant milestone for the programme. Our research and development team and supplier partners have done a fantastic job of integrating the SyberVision cockpit into the proven SJ30 platform. SyberVision makes the fastest and longest range light business jet in the world, the SJ30, even better.”