Hoping to attract celebrity pilots like John Travolta and Harrison Ford, Cirrus has finally unveiled its new jet, the Vision SF50 — a project they’ve had in the hangar for over 10 years…
The result of that decade’s effort? A revolutionary model in personal jetting, one that narrows the gap between light jets and higher performance piston single flyers.
Cirrus engineers designed the Vision for owners who also like to pilot, therefore pilot and passengers share the same luxury cabin space (max seven persons) — complete with complimentary Bose noise-cancelling headsets to drown out any interior noise. The windows are larger than on most jets because the body is made of a stronger carbon fibre — like the 787.
Unlike other recreational planes like the Icon A5, the Vision is for built for distance. It will fly over 1,600 km and cruise at 31,000 feet; Brisbane to Melbourne? No probs.
Powering the jet is a roof-mounted Williams International engine which delivers enhanced thrust above 24,000 feet. This bumps the top speed to 576 km/h at 28,000 feet, and to 564 km/h at its 31,000 feet limit.
Unlike commercial jets, the SF50 can land safely without human intervention, in an emergency. Called Safe Return by Garmin, it’s an autopilot landing system that can find the nearest available airport, and head toward a safe runway. Think Tesla’s Autopilot — but in the air, and much more complex.
There’s also a back up to the back up. If all else fails, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) engages, diploying a parachute that lands the plane right side up (hopefully). At a cool $2 million, the Vision F50 is the most affordable new private jet on the market today. If other private jets are chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Phantoms, this is a McLaren 570S — no pit crew needed.
By Bill Varetimidis
For the full article grab the November 2021 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
