Swearingen SJ30 Light Business Jet at Farnborough Airshow

The Swearingen SJ30 light business jet is appearing at the Farnborough Air Show for the first time since announcing a major new investment in the SJ30 production facilities in the USA.

In June 2008, Emirates Investment & Development (Emivest) of Dubai, UAE completed the acquisition of an 80% stake from the Taiwanese government in San Antonio-based Sino Swearingen Aircraft (SSAC). Under the terms of the acquisition, Emivest are providing the investment required to restart and accelerate production of the SJ30.

Action Aviation, who distributes the Swearingen SJ30 business jet in 66 countries, is displaying its own recently delivered SJ30 production aircraft on static display at Farnborough. The aircraft flew into Farnborough directly from Dubai, with just one refuel in Istanbul.

The SJ30, one of the fastest and longest range light jets in the world, has established several records for its performance and capability. In July 2006, one of the preproduction prototypes was the first light jet in its class to cross the Atlantic in one hop on standard fuel tanks, creating a new speed record as it did so. Crewed by Sino Swearingen’s chief test pilot John Siemens and Hamish Harding, chairman of Action Aviation, the SJ30 flew from San Antonio Texas to Goose Bay, Canada and then from Goose Bay directly to Farnborough.

In November 2007, Hamish Harding flew one of the production Swearingen SJ30s straight from San Antonio, Texas to Dubai, a journey of 7810 nautical miles (14,500 km), marking records for flying time (16 hours, 24 minutes) and distance for any aircraft under 20,000 lbs weight in a 24 hour period.

As Harding puts it, “I see a great future ahead for the SJ30. This recent investment from Dubai will allow Sino Swearingen to fully ramp up production and meet the demand that has been waiting in the market. The SJ30 jet possesses class-beating design and represents great value for money at its $7.5 million price tag for a 2500 nautical mile (with NBAA reserves) and 486 knot aircraft.”

“This amazing jet will fly anywhere to anywhere in Europe, and coast to coast in the US. In addition, the SJ30’s remarkable ‘sea level cabin' all the way up to 41,000 ft minimizes fatigue for passengers and crew on long journeys, and the 49,000 ft ceiling allows the aircraft to get above weather and headwinds,” he added.

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