Shatters Pressurization 'World Record'

It seems fair to say that the folks at Sino Swearingen work well under pressure (grin).

Company officials announced Tuesday their SJ30-2 aircraft fuselage has passed the FAA pressurization tests to the ultimate load limits of 31.40 psi. Company officials claim the successful outcome if this test meets the requirements for the advertised pressurization of 12 psi and 49,000 ft. altitude.

Higher pressurization is a key factor for increased comfort levels, in reducing fatigue, drowsiness, tired feelings, staying alert, easier breathing, more oxygen in each breath and possibly even reducing jet lag. With pressurization of 12 psi the SJ30-2 cabin comfort will be at Sea Level while cruising at 41,000 ft.

At the maximum altitude of 49,000 ft the cabin will be at 1,800 ft. Sino officials claim no other aircraft cabin offers this standard of pressurization comfort.

Dr. Carl L. Chen, CEO and president of Sino Swearingen stated, "This is aviation history in the making and we have taken a huge advance in our certification program by passing the FAA pressurization Ultimate Load test successfully, the first time, on time."

Dr Chen added, "We believe we have actually broken a world record. The 31.40 PSI reached during the FAA testing is higher than all general aviation business jet aircraft ever built in the history of aviation. It even exceeds the pressurization of all airliners in the world, and incredibly including the high altitude Supersonic Concorde SST."

Ed Swearingen, Senior Advisor and Director of Sino Swearingen Aircraft stated, "We designed the SJ30-2 using conservative stress levels to ensure a long fatigue life."

Ed also stated, "With 12 psi, we would only have a 5,500 ft cabin in outer space ... if we could find the right booster rocket."

The company set a Target Pressurization at 31.33 psi and during the tests they even exceed the target and brought the fuselage up to 31.40 psi and successfully passed at that pressurization level. Throughout FAA testing, the fuselage must first undergo massive forces in a number of configurations to limit loads.

The fuselage is then subsequently pumped up and subjected to extreme ultimate load testing of 31.40 psi  -- the crucial testing of 167 percent of additional forces and loads over those experienced in the worst case limit load tests.

Up to 45,000 ft maximum altitude the FAA safety factor is 133 percent but the SJ30-2 is designed to go up to 49,000 ft and at altitudes above 45,000 the safety factor increases to 167 percent, which is the level that it was tested at.

The company attached 326 sensors to the fuselage and they were taking readings from all sensors simultaneously throughout the tests.

As the pressurization was stepped up the engineering staff continued with the "go signal" as they analyzed sensor output. With everything in the green they took the fuselage to the Ultimate Load of 31.40 psi and passed the test easily.

The SJ30-2 will be certified for single pilot operations. The company continues advancing the FAA certification process with estimated final certification in the second half of next year. 

FMI: www.sj30jet.com