Sino Swearingen Aircraft Sj30-2

Twin Jet

The Sino Swearingen SJ30 is a light business jet that holds the distinction of being the fastest and highest-flying aircraft in its weight class, certified to FL490 — a ceiling typically reserved for much larger midsize jets. Developed by Sino Swearingen Aircraft (later Emivest Aerospace) and first flown in 1996, the SJ30-2 entered service in 2006 after a protracted certification process. Powered by two Williams FJ44-2A turbofans, the aircraft achieves a maximum cruise speed of 486 knots true airspeed at altitude, making it genuinely faster than many jets twice its size. What sets the SJ30 apart is its combination of speed, altitude, and efficiency in a compact airframe seating up to six passengers. The aircraft's supercritical wing design and advanced aerodynamics allow it to cruise above most weather and traffic while burning roughly 100 gallons per hour — exceptional fuel economy for a Mach 0.83-capable jet. Its 2,500-nautical-mile range enables true transcontinental missions, and the spacious cabin (relatively wide for a light jet at 4.9 feet) offers stand-up headroom, a rarity in this category. Production numbers remained limited due to the company's financial challenges and multiple ownership changes, making the SJ30 one of the rarer sights in business aviation. Fewer than 30 aircraft were delivered before production ceased, though the type certificate remains active. The jet's performance credentials — particularly that FL490 ceiling and 0.83 Mmo — remain unmatched among light jets certified under FAR Part 23, a testament to the ambitious engineering that defined the program. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.