Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Expecting U.S. certification of its new Vision SF50 single-engine jet by year-end, Cirrus Aircraft (Static Display 5107) has begun refining development of the initial round of customer aircraft. Work is currently under way on three production “pilot” units (P1, P2 and P3), said Cirrus president of innovation and operations Pat Waddick. The aircraft will be used to “prove out” the manufacturing sequence, he said.

 


Cirrus plans to retain the first unit for function and reliability testing and then as a sales demonstrator, while P2 and P3 are to be delivered to customers. While plans call for deliveries to begin shortly after certification, Waddick stressed that Cirrus is more focused on having the correct processes in place than on sticking to a strict delivery schedule.

 


The company has been flying three conforming models since last year and is now moving toward obtaining type inspection authorization. It has completed a number of key tests as part of the certification program, but still has several more to finish.

 


SF50 project manager Matthew Bergwall told AIN that about 90 percent of the certification tasks have been completed. Recently finished tests include natural ice testing and wing static testing.

 


Significantly, in June the company completed ultimate load testing of the ballistic recovery parachute that will be standard equipment on the SF50, and it plans to do a live test of this system early in the fourth quarter. C1, the second of three conforming flight-test Vision jets, is currently being outfitted with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) ballistic recovery system.

 


Like the parachute systems used on the flight-test SR20 and SR22 piston models during certification, the one on C1 has been modified to include a release system that will allow the rocket-launched parachute to be jettisoned following completion of the test. In normal operation, the CAPS parachute cannot be released once deployed.

 


Meanwhile, C0 is finishing FAR Part 23 Subpart B flight testing, which is expected to be completed this month. Cirrus is installing a production interior in C2, after which the aircraft will be used to validate the cabin environmental system.

 


The company also continued to refine features on the aircraft, including plans to “Cirrus-ize” the Garmin G3000 avionics panel. Details on those plans are anticipated this month, Waddick said.

 


Meanwhile, Cirrus is ramping up its in-house SF50 training program. The company started an initial customer training class last month to prepare them “for success” as they transition from a Cirrus piston single to a jet. It plans to have a full-motion, level-D SF50 simulator installed at its new Knoxville, Tennessee, customer training “Vision Center” in the fourth quarter.

 


The $1.96 million (in 2012 U.S. dollars) single-engine jet will carry five to seven passengers flying at up to 300 knots and 28,000 feet. Customers have placed orders for more than 550 Cirrus jets, which is expected to gain FAA certification late this year, followed by EASA and Brazil approvals next year.

 


Big in Brazil

 


Brazil is the second-largest market for Cirrus Aircraft, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Duluth, Minnesota-based manufacturer has country-specific single-engine piston offerings. Recognizing Brazil’s temperate climate, the $855,400 Cirrus SR22 Grand and $987,400 SR22 Grand T (for turbocharged) come standard with an air conditioning system–available as an option on stock SR22s–but do not have the normally standard anti-icing system.

 


They also include other options and upgrades, as well as a premium interior and a “Mantis” green exterior paint scheme that are exclusive to the Grand and Grand T. The special avionics package for these aircraft includes larger 12-inch Garmin primary and multifunction flight displays, Taws, TCAS, lightning detection, a four-in-one digital standby instrument, ADS-B transponder and a satcom system that allows the pilot to upload real-time weather data.

 


Customers can choose between any of the five exclusive “platinum” interior colors for the Grand models: slate (dark gray/black), shadow (silver), ivory, saddle (brown) and red. The interiors also include the 60/40-split rear seat that is standard on all SR22s.

 


Exterior color options include white and sterling, or a combination of one of these two colors and imperial red, “Mantis” bright green, gulf blue and Monaco blue.

Cirrus in the Home Stretch on Vision Jet

SF50 will gain FAA certification late this year, followed by EASA and Brazilian approvals next year.

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