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

Cessna M2 makes its maiden flight

Photo Credit: Cessna Aviation

Cessna's latest Citation business jet, the M2, took to the skies for the first time on 9 March. The flight, from Cessna's facility in Wichita, Kansas, lasted around 1h 30min during which the light cabin jet's G3000 avionics, autopilot, instrument approaches, engine and aircraft systems were tested. The Williams International FJ44-powered twinjet is based on the out-of-production CJ1 (Model 525) featuring a 400kt (740km/h) maximum cruise speed. The eight-seat M2 is priced at $4.2 million.






Flight Global

China And Russia Launch GA Venture

Companies from China and Russia have teamed up to build their own line of general aviation aircraft ranging from four to 12 seats, Xinhua reported this week. China Oriental Sciences Group, China-Russia International Investment Company and KB-SAT, a Russian aircraft design company, signed an agreement last week in Beijing, according to Xinhua. The consortium will invest $1.27 billion to build a manufacturing facility this year in China's Inner Mongolia region. The group expects to start producing airplanes early next year, and produce 400 airplanes a year by 2016. "China's general aviation industry is at its initial stage of development, and the market demand is huge," said Zhuang Zhong, president of China Oriental Sciences Group, which is based in Beijing.

The consortium also plans to build a research facility, a pilot training base, and a flying club at the site in Ordos. China has been moving forward with plans to open up more airspace to GA flights and create more GA infrastructure, including building more airports. The country also has shown a strong interest in acquiring GA companies, buying up Cirrus, Teledyne Continental Motors, and several smaller manufacturers in recent years.

Avweb 

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.

PR Newswire

Federal Budget Plan Includes Aviation User Fees

The Obama administration's 2013 budget proposal, released on Monday, includes a fee of $100 per flight for some general aviation aircraft, which drew a quick response from GA advocacy groups. AOPA, the National Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and EAA all protested the plan.

The proposal exempts all piston aircraft, military and public aircraft, air ambulances, aircraft operating outside controlled airspace, and flights that begin and end in Canada. Nonetheless, "AOPA finds little solace [in the piston exemption]," said AOPA President Craig Fuller. "In nations where user fees have been introduced, the fees have grown." However, in the bigger election-year picture, the proposal may not get far, anyway.

According to Reuters, the budget proposal is "expected to go nowhere in a divided Congress and is widely seen as more of a campaign document that frames his economic pitch to voters and seeks to shift the focus from deficits to economic growth." Reuters said the plan reflects the campaign effort to promote "economic fairness" and spread more of the tax burden to wealthier Americans.

 NBAA and other groups said they would lobby representatives in Congress to derail the plan. "Over the past several years, the general aviation community has worked with Congress to successfully beat back a number of bad ideas proposed by the White House," said NBAA President Ed Bolen. "We can do it again by getting everyone active and engaged with their elected officials."

Avweb