In advance of what is expected to be a significant presence at EBACE, Action Aviation, which represents Sino Swearingen's SJ30 jet in over 60 countries in Europe, introduced the aircraft in London recently.

Designed by Ed Swearingen (the 30 in the aircraft's name represents the fact that it is the 30th aircraft that Swearingen has designed), the SJ30 is set for EASA certification in early 2007 and already has US FAA certification.

Action Aviation believes this aircraft is perfect for Europe - with a range of 2,500 nm (carrying three passengers and a pilot) or 1,500 nm with a full load of seven (five passengers and two pilots) - and has committed to buying 159, around half of the current order book.

The SJ30 has had a well-documented and frequently bumpy path through the development process - the original design was actually made in 1986 - but has remained true to Ed Swearingen's original concept, which was to build a business jet with the performance and reliability characteristics of regional airliners.

Now that the aircraft is finally emerging, with the first production model due for delivery in June, Action Aviation is keen to push the jet into the key territories of the UK, Russia, France, Switzerland and Dubai and has established offices at London Luton, Dubai, Paris, Geneva and California. The first of the company's 14 current customer sales is into the UK.

Worldwide support for the SJ30 is through Jet Aviation and when a new aircraft arrives at home base, it will be assigned to the local Jet Aviation facility. New maintenance facilities at locations not in the Jet Aviation network will be considered as the programme develops.

Much has been made of the SJ30's 49,000 feet service ceiling and the sea level cabin pressurisation at 41,000 feet, which is unique to this aircraft and may also make the SJ30 of particular interest to aeromedical operators.

Owners of smaller aircraft wishing to trade up are important targets for Action Aviation, although there has been a lot of interest from new entrants to business aviation, according to Action sales director Mike Creed. He feels the aircraft is of particular interest to the former Soviet Bloc countries, as it has the range to be able to handle the longer distances typical of their flight requirements, as well as the potential to fly non-stop on routes such as Shannon to Gander.