Summary
- Cirrus Aircraft’s SF50 Vision Jet is a single-pilot business jet with unique features like the “Cirrus Airframe Parachute System” and the “Safe Return” emergency autoland system.
- It won the 2018 Collier Trophy for its design as the world’s first single-engine general aviation personal jet.
- Updates to the aircraft, like the Vision Jet G2+, have included increased takeoff performance and longer range.
The Cirrus Vision Jet is abusiness jetthat can be flown by a single pilot and carry six passengers. It has a single Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine that produces 1,846 lbs of thrust. It has a range of 1,275 NM while cruising at 310 knots, but what speeds can it reach?
A little background
The Cirrus Vision Jet, or the SF50 as it is sometimes known, was produced by Cirrus Aircraft in the United States. The very light jet’s maiden flight was on July 3rd, 2008, but its production was delayed due to a lack of funding and a global recession. It was also featured at one of the world’s largest airshows, the AirVenture Oshkosh at Wittman Regional Airport and Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Cirrus Aircraftwas then bought by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) in 2011, which put funds back into the project, and the development of the Vision Jet was back on track.
The first prototype aircraft flew in 2014, and it was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2016. The aircraft was already proving popular. Its estimated price in 2014 was $1.96 million, and Cirrus Aircraft had 500 aircraft on order. Deliveries of the type started in December 2016, and by July 2020, 200 examples of the aircraft had been delivered. During the period of 2018 to 2023, the Cirrus Vision Jet was the most delivered business jet.
Unique aircraft
The aircraft has a distinctive V-shaped tail, a low cantilever wing, and retractable tricycle landing gear. It is made entirely of composite material. TheCirrus Vision Jet has exceptional safety features, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and the Safe Return emergency autoland system.
Safe Return can land the aircraft in an emergency at the touch of a button. The system finds a suitable airport, plots the route considering the weather and terrain, communicates with air traffic control, and lands and stops the aircraft. The avionics suite is the Garmin G3000-based Cirrus Perspective Touch+.
Award-winning
In 2018, the aircraft design won the Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America. It was awarded the trophy for ‘designing, certifying and entering into service the Vision Jet – the world’s first single engine general aviation personal jet aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system’ as mentioned byAVweb.
The aircraft went on to receive more accolades in the continuing years, including Plane and Pilot ‘Plane of the Year’ in 2017, Flying’s Innovation Award’ and the Edison Awards ‘Gold Prize in Air Mobility.’
Facts and figures
The stall speed at MTOW with landing gear and flaps down is 67 kn (124 km/h) IAS, while the Vso is 64 kn (119 km/h) IAS at the 5,550 lb (2,520 kg) max landing weight, with Vref at 83 kn (154 km/h) IAS or lower, similar to an SR22. The aircraft has a 14.7:1 glide ratio, allowing it to glide 75 NM (139 km) from its FL 310 ceiling to sea level.
Photo: Cirrus Aircraft
According toAVweb,the Vision Jet, at FL270 and ISA +15 °C, cruises at 270 kn (500 km/h) and consumes 57 US gal/h (216 L/h). A review inFlightglobalreported that at the same FL270, ISA +15 °C, a fuel consumption of 59 US gal/h (223 L/h) at Mach 0.46, 287 kn (532 km/h), and 45 US gal/h (170 L/h) at Mach 0.38 and a 235 kn (435 km/h) long-range cruise speed.
Specifications
Weight
|
Maximum Ramp Weight |
6,040 lbs (2,740 kg) |
|
Maximum Takeoff Weight |
6,000 lbs (2,727 kg) |
|
Basic Empty Weight |
3,550 lbs (1,610 kg) |
|
Max Zero Fuel Weight |
4,900 lbs (2,223 kg) |
|
Maximum Usable Fuel |
2,000 lbs (907 kg) |
Engine
|
Manufacturer |
Williams International |
|
Model |
FJ33-5A |
|
Thrust |
~1,846 lbs |
Dimensions
|
Wingspan |
38.7 ft (11.79 m) |
|
Length |
30.7 ft (9.42 m) |
|
Height |
10.9 ft (3.32 m) |
|
Cabin Width |
5.1 ft (1.56 m) |
|
Cabin Height |
4.1 ft (1.24 m) |
Performance
|
Takeoff |
2,036 ft (620 m) |
|
Takeoff Over 50 ft Obstacle |
3,192 ft (973 m) |
|
Climb Rate |
1,609 ft/min |
|
Max Operating Altitude |
31,000 ft |
|
Stall Speed with Flaps |
67 knots |
|
Max Cruise Speed |
311 KTAS |
|
Landing Groundroll |
1,628 ft (496 m) |
Updates to the aircraft
In 2019, the Vision Jet was updated to the Vision Jet G2 with added RVSM at a ceiling of 31,000 feet (9,400 NM) and an improved range of 1,200 NM (2,200km). An autothrottle was added, and the avionics and cabin interior were upgraded.
In 2021, the aircraft was developed further into the Vision Jet G2+, which resulted in a 20% increase in takeoff performance. Gogo Inflight WiFi was also added. The aircraft offered a longer range and increased payload. The Vision Jet G2+ would sell for just under $3 million and remain one of the cheapest private jets on the market.
Although originally developed for personal use, in 2019, the aircraft was approved by the FAA for air taxi operations. It is thought that the popular Vision Jet will revitalize the ailing air taxi industry; only time will tell.
