19 April 2012
The certification program for the SF50 Vision jet has been given the go-ahead by CAIGA, Cirrus’ Chinese owners. Certification and production of the seven-seat 300kt jet is now expected by 2015. The certification program will involve three aircraft, the last being known as C-Zero – the conforming model built with production tools and jogs.
“We have come so far in just a brief time with our new owners as they share our vision for the future of aviation and personal transportation,” said Dale Klapmeier, co-founder and CEO of Cirrus. “They have set the highest expectations for the Cirrus team. But more importantly, they are actively partnering with Cirrus while providing substantial resources for us to meet and exceed our shared goals as we build an entire family of Cirrus aircraft.”
A statement from Cirrus continued, ‘The first flight of the Vision concept aircraft was in 2008. Detail design, systems verification and full flight envelope testing have been ongoing since that time. Today’s investment, however, significantly increases the pace and momentum of the program and allows the company to bring the jet to the market. In an effort to ramp up to certification and production, Cirrus Aircraft will accelerate hiring of engineers, designers and other related technical disciplines critical to the completion of the program.
‘The Cirrus Vision development team, working with global design and vendor partners, is based at Cirrus Aircraft company headquarters in Duluth, Minn., and Vision jets will be assembled right alongside the SR20, SR22 and SR22T in the same Minnesota and North Dakota Cirrus Aircraft production facilities. Garmin (avionics and flight deck), Williams International (turbofan engine) and Triumph Group (trailing link landing gear) are just three of the strongest brands in aerospace that are members of the Vision supplier team.
The Vision can be yours for $1.72m with the price increasing to $1.92m on 1 July. <a href=”http://www.cirrus.com”>Click here for more</a>
