“The Next Evolution is Here. The Cirrus Aircraft story is one of enthusiastic and relentless innovation.” This week they announced the G2+ Vision Jet offering: optimized take-off thrust, inflight WiFi, and new bold colors.
“The Williams Fj33-5A engine has been finely tuned with a newly optimized thrust profile that provides up to 20% increased performance during take-off, [which] provides access to additional airports at popular destinations across the globe.”
A connected cabin experience throughout the flight levels is available for the first time on the G2+ Vision Jet. “Gogo InFlight WiFi brings added convenience and productivity, enabling real-time communication with teams and customers on the ground to keep commerce moving at jet speed.”
New bold color additions, like Titan Grey, Volt and Bimini Blue, join updated design lines that accentuate the distinctive curve of the Vision Jet.
“October 2019, Cirrus Aircraft Revolutionizes Passenger Safety through Autonomous Flight with Safe Return Emergency Autoland.”
“Cirrus Aircraft, the global leader in personal aviation, ushered in a new era of innovation today with the introduction of Safe ReturnTM – a revolutionary emergency autoland system that enables passengers to land the Vision JetTM with just the touch of a single button. Once activated when available, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop. The Vision Jet, with both Safe Return and the award-winning Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), provides a comprehensive, must-have total safety solution unique to G2 Vision Jet operators.”
“Our mission is to make personal aviation more accessible by continuing to improve passenger comfort and safety,” said Zean Nielsen, Cirrus Aircraft Chief Executive Officer. “Safe Return delivers the next step towards autonomous flight, bringing a new level of confidence to the overall flying experience by providing the ultimate level of safety and control to passengers. Together, with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), we have once again set a new standard for safety in personal air travel.”
“Easily accessible by passengers in the Vision Jet cabin, Safe Return is activated by the touch of a button when available. Once pressed, the autonomous system analyzes terrain and datalink weather to determine the optimal airport for landing, and simultaneously begins communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC). Powered by the Perspective Touch+TM by Garmin® flight deck, Safe Return utilizes all available aircraft data streams, including available fuel, to safely navigate the Vision Jet to the identified airport and transition on to final approach for the appropriate runway based on ground winds. Autothrottle – launched earlier this year on the new G2 Vision Jet –and the automatic flight control system manage the aircraft’s speed, altitude and path, while the system automatically lowers the flaps and landing gear on final approach. Safe Return culminates in the aircraft making a fully autonomous landing on the intended runway and coming to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft.”
“Included during this entire process is constant communication with ATC – another layer of autonomy that provides assurance to passengers experiencing a critical situation. Upon activation, Safe Return immediately transmits an emergency message to ATC. Using text and speech technology, the system communicates the aircraft’s intentions over the appropriate ATC frequency, the 121.5 emergency voice frequency, and also switches to the universal emergency transponder code. ATC is automatically updated at regular intervals of the aircraft’s location, emergency situation and intended airport landing location. These communications begin the process of activating emergency services at the airport of intended landing to assist the passenger and pilot upon arrival. Safe Return can be easily disengaged by the pilot with a simple press of the Autopilot disconnect button on the yoke if a passenger inadvertently activates the system.”
“In 2016, Cirrus Aircraft ushered in a new era in personal transportation with the FAA certification of the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet – the Vision Jet. The turbine aircraft defined a new category in aviation – the Personal JetTM – with its spacious pilot and passenger-friendly cabin featuring panoramic windows, reclining seats, comfortable legroom for five adults and two children and the only turbine aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system as standard equipment. Earlier this year, Cirrus Aircraft unveiled and began delivery of the G2 Vision Jet, offering enhanced performance, comfort and safety with increased cruise altitude, speed and range, and a newly-upgraded Perspective Touch+TM by Garmin® flight deck. The company expects to begin delivery of Vision Jets equipped with Safe Return in early 2020.”
In May 2019, Cirrus Aircraft announced a new facility at McKinney National Airport (KTKI) McKinney, Texas.
“Cirrus Services continues to transform the way we deliver factory-direct service and support,” said Todd Simmons, President, Customer Experience at Cirrus Aircraft. “We recognize the importance of developing a world-class, comprehensive owner and operating experience, and our new location in McKinney, Texas is the latest step in providing factory-direct support to our customers in the south-central area of the United States.”
“Our goal is to expand the premium experience our customers expect from our flagship Vision Center Campus in Knoxville, and we have found that opportunity at McKinney National Airport,” said Ravi Dharnidharka, Senior Vice President, Cirrus Services at Cirrus Aircraft.
Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling piston aircraft series and the new visionary 5-seat SF50 Jet. Cirrus was awarded the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy for designing, certifying and placing into service the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet and implementing a whole airframe parachute system for the aircraft.
Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), which is the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on Cirrus aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus planes has passed 10.5 million hours, and 172 people have returned home safely to their families because CAPS is included as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft.
The company has four locations in the United States, including Duluth, Minnesota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee and now McKinney, Texas.
In February 2019, The Robb Report published “The Vision Jet was the Most-Delivered Business Jet in 2018.” M.D. Seaton stated, the single-engine Cirrus edged out Bombardier’s Challenger 350 and Cessna Citation Latitude – based on deliveries. The article is a good read but these jets are not in the same customer market.
Seaton shared the General Aviation Management Association’s annual report stats, which reveal business jet deliveries are up over the prior year about 3.8% in 2018. And, the very light jet (VLJ) category helped to push the increase.
Seaton noted; Cirrus has announced the replacement of its first version jet with an upgraded second-generation model. The G2 Vision Jet has a higher flight ceiling of 31,000 feet, more range, payload, and greater speed than the original, and the flight deck is now equipped with auto throttle along with other enhancements.
In 2018, Cirrus Aircraft delivered 443 airplanes. That’s an 18% increase over the previous year.
Cirrus Design Corp. dba Cirrus Aircraft has been manufacturing planes since 1999. As of December 31, 2018 total customer shipments stand at 7,349. Details by the numbers are in the table below:
Total Cirrus Aircraft Shipments
Year
SF50 Jet
SR22 Turbo
SR22
SR20
SRV
Total
2018
63
180
135
65
–
443
2017
22
174
135
46
–
377
2016
3
149
133
35
–
320
2015
–
142
128
31
–
301
2014
–
160
117
31
–
308
2013
–
132
112
32
–
276
2012
–
88
81
84
–
253
2011
–
102
105
48
–
255
2010
–
107
115
42
–
264
2009
–
150
88
28
–
266
2008
–
250
177
115
7
549
2007
–
300
288
112
10
710
2006
–
30
535
150
6
721
2005
–
–
475
116
9
600
2004
–
–
459
91
3
553
2003
–
–
355
112
2
469
2002
–
–
292
105
–
397
2001
–
–
124
59
–
183
2000
–
–
–
95
–
95
1999
–
–
–
9
–
9
Total
88
1,964
3,854
1,406
37
7,349
Copyright 2019 wikiWings LLC, All rights reserved Connecting Aviators® and related marks and logos are property of wikiWings®
In 2018, Cirrus Aircraft delivered 63 Vision Personal Jets. That’s a 186% increase over the previous year. Total customer shipments stand at 88. Production is ramping up, but it will take years for supply to get ahead of demand.
The Cirrus Personal Jet was certified for customer delivers in October 2016.
Cirrus Vision SF50 Jet Shipments
Year
Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet
2018
63
2017
22
2016
3
2015
–
Total
88
Source: GAMA.aero
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Connecting Aviators® and related marks and logos are property of wikiWings®
On January 8, 2019, from Duluth MN and in Knoxville TN, Cirrus Aircraft announced the next generation Vision Jet with bigger headlines – Higher, Faster and Farther.
Woe to the pilot naysayers that said, Cirrus would never get a single engine jet certified. But in 2016, the Vision Jet did receive FAA certification. Then for years, we’ve heard skeptics claim operating altitude would always be limited below 29,000 feet because Cirrus didn’t have Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) capability and other necessities for flight into higher altitudes. Wrong.
Higher, Faster and Farther
Cirrus has received certification for an expanded flight envelope to Flight Level 310 (31,000 feet), which raises the performance capabilities of the Vision Jet. Access to RVSM increases the Jet’s range to more than 1,200 nautical miles. Second, the Generation 2 added the flexibility to carry an additional 150 pounds, which significantly improves upon its typical 800 NM missions. And third, the G2 Jet pushes cruise speed even further above 300 knots. Cirrus worked with Williams International to slightly increase the FJ33-5A engine thrust.
The ability to carry more came from a decrease in airframe weight. Most of the pickup came from replacing the heavy dual lead acid batteries with lighter True Blue Power lithium ion batteries, which also deliver improved cold start capabilities.
Advanced Avionics
The Generation 2 Vision Jet has advanced avionics typically only found on high-end business jets and commercial transport aircraft. The G2 jet has Perspective Touch+ by Garmin advanced flight deck, which includes new hardware, faster processing speeds and even better screen resolution. The jet was already equipped with FADEC but Autothrottle is now available. Cirrus says, “this game-changing technology integrates with the autopilot and can automatically adjust the aircraft’s speed for each phase of flight, reducing workload and giving the pilot more time to focus on other tasks.”
The Vision flight deck includes 3D synthetic vision, SurfaceWatch, integrated crew alerts, datalink weather, active weather radar, ADS-B, satellite communications, system synoptics and more.
Cabin Experience is First Class
Cirrus has stepped up the personal travel experience with a focus on comfort and productivity. The improvements add to the spaciousness and panoramic views that are already a hallmark of the Vision Jet design.
New executive seating adds “two luxurious, artisan-crafted second row seats and an all-new center console with stow-away tables for a more productive in-flight experience. Each cabin seat is modular and can be quickly repositioned or removed by the pilot offering the flexibility of more than 25 possible seating configurations. Passengers have access to USB and 110V power outlets. An expansive flush mounted overhead monitor can be extended down to deliver best-in-class display or entertainment from your favorite device.
The Generation 2 Personal Jet has windows with UV and IR protection. The UV window protection installation started around serial number twenty (20). It’s a safety feature GA pilots and passengers should have had years ago. UV light is known to damage collagen fibers, destroys vitamin A in skin and can accelerate the aging process of skin. The new windows also keep interior temperatures more comfortable.
You can also find the UV window protection on the Cirrus G6 piston-engine airplanes. Look for a slight oil sheen appearance to the windows – that’s the UV protection.
Newly-developed noise reduction architecture further enhances the passenger environment. The G2 jet cabin is about 10 decibels quieter. Cirrus Aircraft understands the continuous spark and the grind of creativity.
Pat Waddick, president, Innovation & Operations, said,
“Much like the last twenty years of re-imagining the SR Series with constant improvements to performance, safety and comfort, the G2 Vision Jet is the culmination of that same spirit of innovation . . . .”
Everyone expects no less from the Cirrus Aircraft Team going forward, except the naysayers.
The Generation 2 Vision Jet deliveries began in January 2019 (after serial number 94). The G2 planes start at $2.38 million with a fully loaded model ramping out at $2.75 million.
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For many general aviation pilots, stepping up to burn jet fuel is a dream. It has taken 10-years to certify the Cirrus Vision
Fuel cap on the Cirrus Vision SF50 Jet, photo credit wikiWings
SF50 Jet. A handful of the planes were delivered to customers last year, and about 600 position holders are waiting in line to receive their aircraft. Production ramp-up is progressing but it will take years for supply to catch-up to demand.
Copyright 2018 wikiWings LLC, All rights reserved
Connecting Aviators® and related marks and logos are property of wikiWings® LLC
