Sino-Swearingen Signs-Up Three New Distributors

Jack Braly, president of Sino Swearingen Aircraft, was pleased to disclose three new SJ30-2 distributorships here, each of which paid non-refundable deposits of $750,000 toward the purchase of 10 aircraft. Sharing the NBAA dais with Braly were: new distributors Ron Vinci, of San Diego-based Vinci Aviation, a start-up venture; Don Bell, president of Columbia, SC-based Bell Aviation; and Mike Hoyle, head of Cleveland-based Business Aircraft Group.

Braly said his order book now stands at 135 units.

Braly also said that the SJ30-2 will be fitted with a three-screen, Primus Epic control display system. The large-format screens, plus related control functions, enable Sino Swearingen to eliminate 20 engine "steam gauges" and several toggle switches used to control systems. Braly said the reconfigured SJ30-2 will sell for $4.2 million in 1998 dollars.

While the proof-of-concept aircraft continues to provide the firm with aerodynamic data, "We can't use any of it to check boxes for the FAA, but we can do a lot of preparatory work," Braly allowed. The P.O.C. aircraft, for example, has been able to pull 1.9 g's at FL 430 at Mach 0.84 free of buffet, thus confirming baseline wing performance data.

Braly said there are no technical showstoppers before first flight of a production conforming SJ30-2 aircraft, now slated for mid-1999. Three aircraft will be used for development work and two others will be used for static and fatigue testing. Certification is scheduled for mid-2000, Braly said.

By Fred George