Cirrus Aircraft has secured US type certification for its hugely anticipated Vision personal jet. Customer deliveries of the $1.96 million aircraft are scheduled to begin in December.
The validation follows a 10-year development effort involving more than 1,700h of flying on its four test aircraft. The Duluth, Minnesota-based airframer is the first to secure validation for a Part 23 single-engine jet. Other programmes – such as the Diamond D-Jet, Eclipse 400, Piper Altaire and Stratos 714 – have been cancelled or are dormant.
“This approval marks a seismic shift for Cirrus and the industy as a whole,” said the company’s president for customer experience Todd Simmons at an NBAA press conference to mark the formal handover of the type certificate. “This aircraft brings high performance into a price point that is far lower than comparable light twins and single-engined turboprops, and should help to increase participation in business and general aviation.” Cirrus has secured around 600 orders for the Williams International FJ33-5A-powered Vision. The majority of position holders are present and former owners of the SR-piston single series, the bulk of whom are based in the USA, says the company. Cirrus plans to deliver around three units this year. “In 2017 we will produce between 25 to 50 aircraft and hope to ramp up to 125 units by the end of 2018,” says Simmons.
The Vision has been a key focus for Cirrus since its launch as the SF50 in 2006. Even during the economic crisis, the manufacturer continued to work on the development. The acquisition of Cirrus in 2011 by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft gave the programme new momentum. The Vision is equipped with a Garmin G3000-based Cirrus Perspective Touch flightdeck and an emergency parachute system. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,730kg (6,000lb), a range of around 1,000nm (1,850km), and a stall speed of 67kt .
Source: Flight Daily News
