One of the fastest light jets ever certified is getting a second chance. At NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas this week, SyberJet announced the SyberJet SJ34, a reworked version of the FAA-certified SJ30-2 with more powerful engines, a proprietary avionics suite, and a new interior. The company opened reservations on October 19, 2026, and is targeting first deliveries in 2029.
SyberJet also showed a full-scale mockup of a larger sibling, the nine-seat SJ36. Here is what was announced, what it costs, and what buyers should keep in mind.
The SJ34 at a Glance
The SJ34 replaces the SJ30-2 in SyberJet’s lineup. Based on what the company presented in Las Vegas, the key specs are:
- Seating: Seven occupants
- Pilots: Single-pilot certified design
- Range: Up to 2,500 nautical miles
- Top speed: Mach 0.83
- Cabin pressure: Sea-level cabin up to 41,000 feet, with a maximum altitude of 49,000 feet
- Engines: Larger Williams FJ44-3 or FJ44-4 turbofans
- Avionics: SyberJet’s own SyberVision flight deck
- Interior: A new cabin matching the design of the SJ36
- Deliveries: Projected to begin in 2029
- Launch pricing: $10 million under SyberJet’s Passage One program ($12 million standard price)
A 2,500 nm range and Mach 0.83 top speed would put the SJ34 at the very top of the light jet category on both measures.
A Long Road to This Point
The SJ34’s story starts with the Sino Swearingen SJ30, a light jet designed in the 1980s and 1990s that became known for its speed, range, and high cabin pressurization. The SJ30-2 earned FAA certification, but production never ramped up. According to Aviation Week, nine SJ30-2 aircraft were built and four were delivered, the last in 2006.
The program has changed hands several times since:
- 2011: SyberJet was formed when Metalcraft Technologies acquired the program’s assets.
- 2024: An investment group led by Trevor Milton acquired SyberJet.
- October 2026: SyberJet announced the SJ34 and opened reservations for the SJ34 and SJ36.
That history matters for buyers. The SJ30 design has always had strong performance on paper. The challenge has been getting it into steady production.
SyberVision: Avionics Built In-House
The biggest change on the SJ34 is the flight deck. Instead of buying an avionics suite from an established supplier like Garmin or Honeywell, SyberJet is developing its own system, called SyberVision.
What SyberJet has shared so far:
- Six 4K touchscreen displays, each fully redundant so any screen can take over another’s functions
- “Syber Pilot,” an AI-based pilot assistant. The first version is designed to read live ATC and CPDLC data and load instructions into the flight plan with a single button press.
- “Smart taxi,” which extends the same approach to taxi instructions
- Remote maintenance capabilities
SyberJet says its demonstrator is running production-grade software and has an internal goal of flight testing within 12 months. The company’s long-term goal is for Syber Pilot to eventually earn FAA certification as an autonomous pilot covering the entire flight.
In-house avionics are ambitious for any manufacturer. They give SyberJet full control of the flight deck experience, but they also add certification work that a buyer should factor into how they view the 2029 timeline.
The SJ36: A Bigger Sibling
Alongside the SJ34, SyberJet unveiled a full-scale mockup of the SJ36, a stretched derivative aimed at buyers who want more cabin and range:
- Seating: Nine seats, single pilot
- Range: More than 3,000 nm
- Top speed: Mach 0.88
- Cabin pressure: Sea-level cabin up to 41,000 feet, with a maximum altitude of 49,000 feet
- Fuel burn: Roughly 750 pounds (about 112 gallons) per hour at cruise
- Cabin: Designed with Bond Design Group, with a central lavatory and two oversized rear seats that convert into a near-full-size bed
- Deliveries: Projected to begin in 2032, with Passage One launch pricing of $14 million ($16 million standard price)
The Passage One Program
Both aircraft are being sold through Passage One, a launch program capped at 250 participants. According to Aviation Week, it includes:
- A $2 million discount on both models: $10 million instead of $12 million for the SJ34, and $14 million instead of $16 million for the SJ36
- Tip-to-tail coverage for 1,000 hours or five years
- Williams TAP Blue engine maintenance for 1,000 hours or five years
- Fuel for 1,000 flight hours or five years, capped at 100,000 gallons
- Two pilot type rating training slots
Bundling maintenance, fuel, and training into the purchase is an aggressive way to lower the expected cost of ownership in the early years.
What Buyers Should Keep in Mind
The SJ34 has real appeal on paper: light jet size with performance that reaches toward the midsize category. Before placing a reservation, buyers should weigh a few practical points:
- Timeline: First deliveries are projected for 2029. New aircraft programs, especially those with new avionics, frequently move to the right.
- Production track record: The SJ30 platform has been certified for years but has never reached steady production.
- Deposit terms: Review reservation agreements carefully, including refundability and what happens if milestones slip.
- Support network: A small fleet means a smaller service and parts network than established light jets enjoy today.
For buyers who need an aircraft before 2029, the pre-owned light jet market offers proven options flying right now.
What to Watch Next
- First flight of the SyberVision avionics suite
- Production and certification milestones for the SJ34
- How many Passage One positions are filled
Considering a Light Jet?
Whether you are interested in reserving a position on a new program or want an aircraft you can fly next month, the right choice depends on your mission, timeline, and budget. The team at Holstein Aviation can walk you through the light jet market today and how it compares to what is coming.
