Cirrus poised to fly first Vision SF50

Cirrus Aircraft’s ambition to be the first to market with a single-engined personal jet looks set to become a reality, as it prepares its Vision SF50 prototype for first flight next month. The certification aircraft, C-Zero, will be used for flight performance verification. The two remaining test aircraft – C-One and C-Two – are scheduled to enter service in the second and fourth quarter, and will be used for systems verification and parachute testing, respectively.

An earlier configuration "technology demonstrator" – dubbed V1 – has accumulated around 800 flying hours and 1,000 engine runs since it was built in 2008. However, the new prototypes are more reflective of the production jet, says Cirrus executive vice-president of sales marketing Todd Simmons.

"The purpose of V1 has been to verify and validate the Vision jet design," Simmons says. "C-Zero is the summation of everything we have learned from V-1. For example, we have slightly changed the size and shape of the ruddervators, stabilisers, tail arm and the wing root junction.

"We have also made slight changes to [the] aerodynamic shape of the fuselage, [the] engine mount and its position on the aircraft, along with the interior. To the casual observer C-Zero will not look any different to V1."
The Vision has been a key focus for Cirrus since its launch more than seven years ago. Even during the economic crisis and the funding shortage that ensued, the Duluth, Minnesota-based airframer continued to work on the programme – albeit on a piecemeal basis.

The acquisition of Cirrus in 2011 by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft gave the programme new momentum. "CAIGA has committed $100 million to bring the Vision to market," Simmons says. "We are on track to certificate and deliver the first aircraft in 2015."

The $1.96 million Vision is equipped with a Garmin G3000 cockpit and an emergency parachute system. Powered by a Williams International FJ33 turbofan, the aircraft has a range of 1,200nm (2,220km), a stall speed of 61kt and a cruise speed of 300kt (556km/h).

Cirrus has secured 550 orders for the Vision to date – each with a $100,000 deposit. "Our customers range from [Cirrus] SR22 piston single operators to owners of high performance piston twins and single-engined turboprops, all wanting to move to a jet platform," says Simmons.

 "Our position holders come from across the globe, so once we have secured US approval we will get to work [certificating] the aircraft in the countries where our customers are based." Cirrus plans to offer a dedicated training programme to enable customers to secure their Vision type rating.


Comment: The SF50 is among the league of Very Light Jets (VLJ's) and it is scheduled to enter into service soon. A  few other entrants like the Honda Jet is anticipatory scheduled for entry into service in third/fourth quarter of 2014, however, there are few in operation such as the 

Eclipse 500 from Eclipse Aviation 
Embraer 100 and 500 from Brazil's Embraer 
Citation Mustang from Cessna 

Flight Global

AERO 2012: Cirrus vision for SF50 to become reality 'in 2015'

Cirrus Aircraft has been given the go-ahead by its new owner to accelerate development of the Vision SF50 personal jet. China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), which acquired the Duluth, Minnesota-based general aviation manufacturer last year, has pledged $100 million to bring the seven-seat, single-engined aircraft to market.

"This should be within three years," says Ian Bentley, Cirrus vice-president and managing director of international sales. "We have been committed to this program since its launch over six years ago. When the economic downturn struck we were forced to slow development considerably, but even throughout this turbulent period we have been working at a low level to iron out any potential technical problems that we might encounter during the SF50 certification process."

Cirrus has already invested more than $45 million in the SF50, which made its first flight in July 2008. The non-conforming prototype has completed more than 600 flying hours to date, and Cirrus has carried out "detail design, systems verification and full flight envelope testing since then", adds Bentley.

Cirrus is now building the tooling for the first of three production-conforming aircraft, which should take to the skies for the first time in 15 months. "A handful of minor modifications will be incorporated in the production aircraft. For example, the cabin will be sightly wider and the sweep on the tail will be slightly reduced, says Bentley.

Cirrus has clocked up 500 orders for the Vision. "In 2008 we had around 400 orders. When the program was slowed we lost around 100 of these but have since added another 200, of which around 60% are from US-based customers," says Bentley.

The SF50 has a cruise speed of 300kt (555km/h) and a range of 1,000nm (1,850km). The aircraft is priced at $1.72 million until 30 June, when it will rise to $1.96 million. Cirrus plans to manufacture 75 Visions in the first year of production, "rising to a steady production rate of 125 aircraft a year", says Bentley.



Flight Global

DIVERSITY OF CUSTOMER BASE AND IMPROVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHT STRONGEST QUARTER FOR CIRRUS SINCE 2008

DULUTH, Minn., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 22, 2012, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry's fourth quarter and complete 2011 shipment and billings summary. "Shipments declined in all three industry segments from the previous year, but the declines reached single digits which indicate general aviation is reaching the trough in this cycle," said GAMA Chairman, Caroline Daniels. "A majority of the market fundamentals are moving in the right direction. Corporate profits remain at record high levels, the used market and flight activity made year over year improvements and emerging markets are driving new sales. Like last year, our greatest concern remains the lack of financing. Latent demand in the market exists and an ease in the credit markets could help boost our industry into positive growth once again."

CIRRUS DELIVERS 89 SR-SERIES AIRCRAFT TO A DIVERSE MIX OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS

In the fourth quarter of 2011, Cirrus Aircraft delivered more airplanes than in any quarter since the end of 2008, resulting in its strongest performance of the past 12 quarters. Todd Simmons, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Cirrus Aircraft noted, "Several factors came together in the fourth quarter to make it one of the strongest in recent memory. It's a source of pride to the Cirrus team in Duluth, Grand Forks and around the globe that with each successive quarter we are creating a stronger and more durable aircraft business."

As previously reported, twenty SR20 aircraft were completed during Q3'11 with final delivery taking place to the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) in Luoyang, China in Q4.
Simmons continued, "Favorable depreciation rules in the U.S. unquestionably helped drive domestic sales in late 2011. In fact, U.S. deliveries exceeded our expectations by year end. Cirrus is also benefitting from growth in the institutional side of our business, as flight schools and governments from around the world are renewing their fleets with the most capable aircraft with the latest safety and cockpit technologies. We are pleased that these new partners recognize that Cirrus is in the unique position to meet those needs."
Simmons added, "At the same time, we are cautious about ongoing economic uncertainty in Europe. As we have grown our global footprint, we also have more exposure to changing conditions in certain regions. While we keep a sharp eye on Europe, business remains more consistent in Latin America and we see potential for faster growth in China, Asia and Australia." 

CIRRUS AIRCRAFT HIGHLIGHTS FROM GAMA DATA(1): FOURTH QUARTER 2011

• Cirrus Increased its single engine piston aircraft market share by two points to 35 percent in 2011, an all time high.(2)
• Cirrus increased its SR22/SR22T comparable market share by five points to 73 percent in 2011, an all-time high.(3)
• Cirrus increased its SR20 comparable market share by three points in 2011, as the preference for the SR20 is growing as both a trainer and personal transportation airplane.(4)
• Cirrus delivered the most certified single engine piston airplanes of any general aviation manufacturer in 2011.(2)
• The SR22/SR22T family of aircraft remains the best-selling four-place airplane in the world for now 10 years in a row.

SEATING FOR FIVE, GLOBAL WEATHER, INTEGRATED PHONE, TEXT/EMAIL MESSAGING AND NEW INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OPTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE 2012 CIRRUS AIRCRAFT SR-SERIES

On January 10, 2012, Cirrus introduced a range of compelling new features on the SR-series line of aircraft. New 60/40 Flex Seating™ offers seating for three in a redesigned back seat allowing for five total passengers on board. The new back seats also feature three-point seat belts for greater comfort, can recline in three positions, can secure child seats via the automotive style LATCH system and completely fold down for maximum cargo carrying options.

With Perspective Global Connect™, Cirrus pilots can now make phone calls and send text and email messages in flight. Outside the U.S., graphical weather is now available via Global Connect. Other new 2012 features include the GMA350 audio panel from Garmin, new interior and exterior color, materials and schemes and new personalization options.
The Vision SF50 personal jet remains the primary new aircraft research and development project at Cirrus. The next public and media program update is scheduled for Q1'12.

(1) Does not include Beechcraft Q4'11 numbers, not available at time of report.(2) FAR Part 23 certified aircraft. "Light Sport Aircraft" not included.(3) Includes Cessna 182, Cessna 182T, Cessna Corvalis TT, Mooney.(4)Includes the Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Cirrus SR20, Diamond DA40, Piper Warrior, Piper Arrow.

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