Post by andypspotter on May 1, 2018 21:48:48 GMT
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."
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."