SINOSWEARINGEN Aircraft (SSAC) has grounded its prototype SJ30-2 light business jet for installation of the uprated Williams Rolls-Royce FJ44-2 turbofans planned for the production aircraft.
The company has completed some 100h of flight testing of the prototype, following its modification to represent the stretched SJ30-2. The original FJ44-1 engines were retained for the initial trials of the aircraft, which began in November 1996.
Flight testing is scheduled to resume in "mid-summer", says San Antonio-based SSAC. The FJ44-2 produces 10.2kN (2,300lb) of thrust, compared with the 8.5kN of the FJ44-1. The re-engined six- to eight-seat SJ30-2 is projected to have a cruise speed of Mach 0.8 and a range of 4,600km (2,500nm).
The certification-test SJ30-2 is due to be flown early in 1998. Fabrication of the wing and fuselage is under way at Gamesa in Spain, while assembly of the empennage is in progress at Crestview in Florida. Production deliveries are planned for 1999.
Source: Flight International
