Ed Swearingen

Citation

Savage, T. (2006), "Ed Swearingen", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778eaf.004

Ed Swearingen

Ed Swearingen

Keywords: Aircraft industry, Passenger aircraft

I had the good fortune recently to be invited to a press conference prior to the European debut of the SJ30 at EBACE. The press conference gave me the opportunity of meeting a man who is a legend in his own lifetime, Ed Swearingen (Plate 9). Active in aircraft design for over 62 years, the SJ30 is the 30th aircraft designed by him, hence the SJ30 (Plate 10).

Plate 9 Ed Swearingen

Plate 10 The SJ30-2

Initially working with Lear, he became involved in the design of Lear autopilots and airborne navigation and communication equipment. As assistant director of Research and Development, reporting directly to William P. Lear, he worked on the development of the tatter's first business aircraft, the Lear Star.

Ed Swearingen founded Swearingen Aircraft in San Antonio, Texas in 1959 and subsequently controlled the design of 18 new products. These ranged from small twin engine, piston-powered aircraft to large four-engined jets. Ed Swearingen oversaw the design of the Piper Twin Comanche, Cheyenne, Jetstar II and 731 Jet Star, Merlin and Metro. He was also instrumental in the re-engining of the Boeing 707.

Initially, he assisted Dee Howard in the development of the Howard 500. He also designed and built new products for Piper, plus a series of research helicopters for Bell Helicopters. The research for Bell was the exploration of the combination of both fixed and rotary wings on the helicopter. One result was a modified Huey, which set 17 performance records.

He then went on to design, certify and manufacture the Excalibur and Queen Air 800. He then produced the Merlin II, III and IV and Metro aircraft. The Metro was one the earliest 19-seat passenger aircraft to start the regional airline revolution in the USA and Europe. The Merlin was a long-range, high performance business turboprop. Nearly 1,100 Metros were built for the airline industry and during a significant period of time, more than one-half of 19 passenger aircraft were Metros. In was sold to Fairchild Industries. Ed Swearingen remained with the corporation for a number of years as Chairman of the Board.

During this period Fairchild Industries employed Wemer Von Braun. Von Braun and Swearingen teamed with Fairchild to pursue several research projects. In the late 1980s, Ed Swearingen was the first in the industry to recognise the need for a smaller corporate jet with high performance capabilities in terms of speed and range. He appreciated it was necessary for aircraft to be much more efficient, powered by smaller engines, to achieve such objectives. This effort resulted in the SJ30, and a prototype was flown in order to demonstrate the potential. In April 1995, the assets of this programme were transferred into the company now known as Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation.

Ed Swearingen is on the Board of Sino Swearingen and is a director and senior adviser on the SJ30 programme.

The SJ30

When it came to designing his 30th aircraft, Ed Swearingen's goal was simple. Build a business jet that would be faster, have longer range, and where economics was a factor at every point in the design process. In other words a business jet with more performance and value for the money.

His answer is a unique aircraft that has a cruise speed of 486kts, an IFR range of 2,500 nautical miles (with NBAA IFR reserves) and a service ceiling of 49,000ft, the SJ30 business jet is in a class of its own.

The aircraft's performance starts on with it's wings. Swept back 32.68 with a propriety airfoil designed to maximise performance. The aircraft also has leading edge slats, believed to be a unique feature in a light corporate jet. Fowler flaps provide increased wind area and reduce stall speed. These features, combined with the “wide sweep fan” technology of its Williams FJ44-2a engines (Plate 11), establishes its claim to be the world's fastest light jet in its class.

Plate 11 The Williams FJ44-2a engine

As an added bonus, the aircraft has a remarkable fuel economy. At 45,000 ft, cruising at Mach 0.78, fuel flow is LESS than 95 gallons per hour, both sides.

The SJ30 is believed to be the only business jet in the world with a sea level cabin pressurization right up to 41,000ft (and a cabin pressure altitude of only 1,600ft, when cruising at 49,000ft). This reduces the effects of jet lag and tiredness normally experienced by passengers on longer flights, and also makes the SJ30 ideal for medical/evacuation uses – transporting patients over long distances at sea level cabin pressure.

Plate 12 The SJ30-2's interior

The SJ30 is certified for single-pilot operations and has seven seats (six passengers and a pilot). Fine leather and exquisite craftsmanship characterise the cabin (Plate 12). The extra wide, full-berthing seats have optional telephone and entertainment system controls readily at hand. Optional computer ports and 110V plugs are located at the work tables. The two rear executive seats recline to form a fully flat double bed, ideal for the longer flights, such as transatlantic flights. Stylish wooden doors can be closed in the front of the cabin for passenger privacy.

Plate 14 The SJ30-2's configuration

Every SJ30-2 business jet comes equipped with the Honeywell Primus Epic CDS two-tube avionics system as standard. These are truly advanced technology avionics, designed to complement the most advanced entry- level business jet in the sky - the SJ30-2. The 8£10 full-color liquid crystal flat panel tubes include a primary flight display and a multi-function display, providing the redundancy and capability to support single or dual- pilot operation equally well. (Plate 13)

Plate 13 The SJ30-2's flight deck

The integrated avionics computer combines flight displays, flight director, autopilot and the flight management system in a single line replaceable unit. Dual RVSM – compatible micro air data computers, a Primus 331 color weather radar and a dual Primus II radio system with a third clearance delivery radio round out the package of avionics features on the SJ30-2.

The SJ30, obtained US FAA certification on October 27, 2005. FAA certification for flight into known icing and interior configuration (Plate 14) received on April 2006. EASA certification expected, first quarter 2007

Production of the SJ30 is progressing well at Sino Swearingen facilities at San Antonio International Airport (Plate 15). Texas. Sino Swearingen also has manufacturing facilities in Martinsburg, West Virginia, USA.

Plate 15 The Sino Swearingen facilities at San Antonio International Airport, Texas

The SJ30 is, in its class, a remarkable aircraft designed by a remarkable man. Action Aviation is the exclusive distributor for the SJ30 in 66 countries. The company head office is at London Luton Airport (Tel: +44 1582 482 919), it also has offices in Dubai, Paris, Switzerland and California.

Terry Savage