SyberJet
Aircraft has begun ground functional testing on the SJ30i, in preparation for
the revamped, light business jet's first flight early in the third quarter.
Mark Fairchild, general manager and director of
sales for the Cedar City, Utah-headquartered company, says the test aircraft's
systems are being "rigorously evaluated". These include the
hydraulics, avionics, electrical power generation, pressurisation, engines,
fuel system, landing gear and flap/slat actuation, as well as flight control
and engine rigging, he says. "We want to make sure everything is in order
before we fly it."
The $8.3 million, Williams International
FJ44-2A-powered SJ30i is an upgraded version of the SJ30-2, which was
certificated in 2005 by its former owner, Emivest Aerospace. Four examples were
delivered and remain in service.
The programme was acquired in 2011 by SyberJet’s
parent company MTI, whose subsidiary, Metalcraft Technologies, was the aft
fuselage supplier for the aircraft.
The main feature of the 2,500nm (4,630km)-range
SJ30i is a new avionics suite called SyberVision. Based on Honeywell’s Primus
Epic 2.0 system, it comprises four 12in displays and a host of features
including SmartView synthetic vision, a moving map display system, electronic
charts, TCAS II, dual flight management systems, graphical flight planning and
onboard weather radar. It is also meets US and European automatic dependent
surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) requirements.
SyberJet has also upgraded the layout of the cockpit
to boost its functionality and ergonomics and has added a sixth window on both
sides of the fuselage to increase light in the cabin.
The interior will undergo a redesign in the coming
months "to give it a more high-end, automotive look", says Fairchild.
"These changes, along with improvements in the manufacturing process, and
the use of lighter-weight materials, will reduce the aircraft's empty weight by
about 200lb (108kg), and help boost its range," he adds.
The SJ30i's flight-test campaign is expected to take
a year to complete, and will involve around 250h of flying. "We hope to
get an amendment to the type certificate in mid-2019 and deliver the first
aircraft soon after," says Fairchild.
The SJ30i fleet will consist of the five unsold and
incomplete units – serial numbers 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 – that MTI acquired from
Emivest. SyberJet is also offering the i-series retrofit to current SJ30
owners.
Serial number 15 will be the first aircraft to be
wholly produced by SyberJet, and the initial example of the airframer's new
baseline model – the SJ30x – featuring more fuel-efficient, higher-thrust
FJ44-3AP-25 turbofans. First flight of the $8.8 million aircraft is scheduled
for mid-2020, leading to certification and service entry in 2021.
Fairchild says there is a lot of interest in the i
and x variants from former SJ30 position holders and operators. However,
SyberJet will not actively market the pair, he adds, "until we are on a
solid path to certification".
"MTI’s plan from the beginning was to bring the
aircraft to market without incurring any debts," says Fairchild. "It
has taken a while to get to this stage, but the strategy is paying off. We have
a great product with a great future."
(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)
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