Second Aircraft Delivered To European Customer
Despite recent evidence the
planemaker faces an uncertain future, Sino Swearingen Aircraft
Corporation (“SSAC”) told attendees at NBAA 2007 it
continues to deliver aircraft... and that those planes are proving
they hold their own in regular service.
Sino delivered its second customer SJ30, N7SJ, to Action
Aviation during ceremonies at the NBAA show in Atlanta on Tuesday.
N7SJ (serial number 007) is on display at the static area at Booth
17 throughout the show.
“We are very excited about getting the second SJ30. This
aircraft is destined for a customer, but will be used initially as
a demonstration aircraft in Europe and the Middle East” says
Hamish Harding, Chairman of Action Aviation. “The SJ30 is the
perfect aircraft for these markets with its long range and high
speed cruise."
“We are very proud to be able to deliver N7SJ to Mr.
Harding," Sino Swearingen CEO Dr. Lo. He has been an ardent
supporter of the program and we look forward to delivering him the
rest of his 158 aircraft as quickly as we can.”
SSAC also announced Tuesday the first customer SJ30, serial
number 006 - N901HB, owned by Jet VenturesJetran International, LLC
and based in Horseshoe Bay, TX -- has exceeded 300 flight hours
since beginning operations on February 23, 2007. It has averaged
over 50 hrs per month and has visited numerous cities in the
continental US, Canada, Mexico, and made eight Atlantic crossings
since its delivery.
“We were excited to find out that the aircraft is
performing so well," said Douglas Jaffe, CEO, Jet Ventures,
LLC/Jetran International, “As the first customer we were
fully expecting some growing pains, but they just haven’t
happened. The aircraft is performing well and is everything we knew
it would be when I first got involved with the program so many
years ago.”
Rare for an early delivery, serial number 006 has spent
virtually all of its time supporting the customer’s flight
operation needs -- and not in maintenance -- according to SSAC
representatives. While the factory retains a lease-back for
demonstration flights, Jet Ventures/Jetran International, along
with Horseshoe Bay Resort (also owned by Jaffe) has been
monopolizing the aircraft to date.
Sino Swearingen has delivered two customer aircraft to date, in
the two years since the SJ30 received FAA certification at NBAA
2005. While that's not a particularly impressive figure, those
involved with the company have ambitious hopes for the
future.
"Action Aviation as the largest distributor of the SJ30 is
committed to making the SJ30 the most popular light jet in the
world,” said Harding.