Sino Swearingen's SJ30 business jet completed its final flight test in actual icing conditions in March 2006. The FAA requires the aeroplane to complete a 45 minute hold in actual maximum continuous icing conditions. Testing was performed by test pilots Mark Fairchild and John Siemens.

Test pilot John Siemens said: "The aeroplane performed remarkably well in the extreme conditions we encountered. It is also my opinion that the SJ30 performed better in the ice than any other aeroplane I have previously certified for flight in known icing conditions."

The SJ30 is equipped with electrically heated windshields and uses engine bleed air heat to anti-ice the wings and engines. Pneumatic boots are used to de-ice the tail.

The approval flight comprised 50 minutes of maximum continuous icing conditions and another hour of intermittent icing conditions, which resulted in a build up of over four inches of ice on unprotected areas of the aircraft.

Siemens noted: "The flight characteristics and handling qualities were very good with this residual ice accumulation.