Hmm, water, nice! Engines and gear tested in high speed flood runs

his incredible photo shows the new Sino Swearingen SJ30-2 twinjet successfully completing tests on a flooded runway. The aircraft had to pass tests for water flooding into the engines and also for the effect on the nose and main landing gear as part of the FAA and EASA certification process.

Several high speed runs - up to 126mph - of the aircraft are made through water troughs with levels of water up to three-quarters of an inch deep to simulate rain, drenched, slush, and flooded runway conditions. The SJ30-2 has similar undercarriage to an airliner, with two wheels on each main landing gear and two wheels on the nose gear. “This combination of dual wheels all the way around and trailing link landing gear provides smooth, excellent, taxi, takeoff and landing characteristics and braking efficiency, as well as dual wheel safety protection for the aircraft in case of a tire loss,” says the Texas-based company.

Since these tests, Sino Swearingen has gone on to receive Type Inspection Authorization from the FAA for the SJ30-2 with final certification expected by the end of this year. The SJ30-2 has a range of 2,875 nm range, a cruise speed of 560 mph and will operate at altitudes up to 49,000 feet. Web: www.SJ30Jet.com