Revitalized Jet Includes New Williams FJ44-3As

Sierra Industries tells ANN the company has achieved another milestone in its latest Williams re-engining modification program. The Citation S550-based Sierra Super S-II made its maiden flight at Sierra's Uvalde, TX modification center last month.

The company says the Super S-II test aircraft's 36 minute flight on September 26 illustrated the dramatic performance improvements of the dual FADEC-controlled Williams FJ44-3A engines. The aircraft reportedly reached 18,000 feet in only 3 minutes and 45 seconds.

Mark Huffstutler, Sierra's CEO and chief test pilot, exercised the Super S-II on its maiden flight, performing a variety of in-flight system checks. Tests included in-flight shutdown and restart of each engine, stalls and pressurization checks.

"This was a superb first flight -- everything worked so well, it seemed almost routine," Huffstutler said after the flight. "There is no substitute for sheer power -- just what this aircraft needed to achieve its full potential."

First flight of the Super S-11 occurred days after the FAA approved the Supplemental Type Certificate for the "regular" Super II modification for Citation 550s, as ANN reported. Sierra's newest re-engining program involves adding the 2820 lb.-thrust Williams FJ44-3A engines to the Cessna S550 Citation S-II model.

Sierra followed up the first flight with second jaunt on October 1. In a flight lasting 2.9 hours, the aircraft achieved a 43,000 ft cruising altitude and well over 400 knots true airspeed with surprisingly low fuel consumption. The company notes that after nearly 3 hours in the air, the Sierra Super S-II landed with fuel tanks still over half full.

Sporting an advanced supercritical wing design, the FJ44-powered Sierra Super S-II is designed to provide a "stunning" improvement in across-the-board performance. Sierra plans to conduct full flight testing shortly after the aircraft's return from the annual NBAA convention October 6-8, 2008.

FMI: www.sijet.com