SyberJet's SJ30i Takes to Skies with New Avionics

SyberJet Aircraft’s SJ30i light jet, which is fitted with the new SyberVision flight deck, recently completed its first flight, launching a certification test program that is expected to span 18 months, the company announced. SyberJet is showing the SJ30i flight-test aircraft at its NBAA-BACE static display (SD908). The flight test campaign toward an amended type certificate (TC) kicked off at SyberJet’s Engineering and Product Development Center at the San Antonio International Airport.

SyberJet anticipates deliveries of the SJ30i to begin shortly after receipt of the amended TC.

Powered by Honeywell's Epic 2.0 avionics suite, the flight deck incorporates four 12-inch liquid crystal displays, SmartView synthetic vision system, INAV moving map display system, electronic charts/maps, TCAS II, TAWS Level A, synoptic displays, dual flight management systems (FMS) with WAAS GPS/LPV, single inertial navigation system, onboard weather radar, full EICAS, electronic checklists, DME, ADS-B Out, and 0.3 nm RNP, as well as support for FANS-1A, SmartLanding, SmartRunway, TOLD, ADS-B In, emergency descent mode, and RVSM operations.

Offered as options are CPDLC, XM weather, flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, dual charts/maps, HF radio, Satcom, enhanced vision systems, and a second MFD.

“We completed all of the test points planned for the first flight and got a look at how much easier the cockpit and systems are to manage with the new Honeywell Epic 2.0 cockpit,” said Mark Elwess, chief engineering test pilot. “The SJ30i, known as the fastest and longest ranged light jet on the market, now has a cockpit to lead us into the next generation.” Joining Elwess in the test program is senior flight test engineer Robert Moehle.

The SJ30i also incorporates a new interior. Both the interior and avionics are lighter, taking an estimated 200 pounds out of the airplane.

“First flight of the SJ30i is a significant milestone for the program,” said SyberJet president Chuck Taylor. “Our Research and Development team and supplier partners have done a fantastic job of integrating the SyberVision cockpit into the proven SJ30 platform. SyberVision makes the fastest and longest-range light business jet in the world, the SJ30, even better.”

A follow-on aircraft, the SJ30x, will feature uprated Williams International FJ44-3AP-25 engines with dual Fadec controls and is expected to provide a variety of performance benefits including higher cruise speed at altitude, faster climb, more payload, and better high and hot performance. It will also feature single-point refueling.

The SJ30 program began in the late 1980s and the SJ30-2 finally received FAA certification in 2005. Since then, the company has had several different corporate owners and only eight examples of the Mach 0.83, 2,500-nm, seven-seat jet have been produced. SyberJet’s current owner, Metalcraft Technologies, bought the company out of bankruptcy in 2011. SyberJet plans to transfer manufacturing to its new facility at Cedar City (Utah) Regional Airport, with the first production aircraft planned to come off that line in 2020.

The aircraft holds three world records for speed and distance. It is designed with a 30-degree swept wing for high speed and efficient cruising and with leading-edge slats and flaps that are optimized for low-speed approaches. The SJ30 has a service ceiling of 49,000 feet, maintains a sea-level cabin to 41,000 feet, and is approved for single-pilot operations.