Cirrus Vision Jet SF50

Overview & History

The Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 is a Very Light Jet (VLJ) which is powered by just one engine.

Designed and produced by Cirrus Aircraft based in Duluth, Minnesota, USA, production started in the second half of 2016 and Cirrus has produced over 170 aircraft.

Cirrus is typically known for the small, turboprop aircraft it produces, such as the SR20 and SR22., this is the only jet-powered aircraft the company produces.

The Vision Jet stands out due to its compact size and it being the first certified single-engine civilian jet.

The Vision Jet received a warm reception when it was announced and before production started Cirrus had received over 600 orders for the aircraft.

Cirrus Vision Jet Performance

The SF50 is powered by a single Williams FJ33-4A-19 turbofan engine which produces 1,900 lbs of thrust (1,900 lbs total) and is mounted above the rear fuselage.

Unique within the business jet arena the Vision Jet has a V-tail and the fuselage is made entirely of composite materials which is the first for any production jet.

The single-engine is good for powering the jet to a maximum cruise speed of 311 knots and a certified maximum altitude of 31,000 feet.

When flying up to 31,000 feet the Vision Jet has a maximum cabin altitude of 8,000 feet, similar to the pressure you would find in a typical airliner and equal with the competition in the VLJ segment.

The compact size, lightness, and power coming from the engine give the SF50 a take-off distance of just 2,036 feet and a landing distance of 1,628 feet.

The benefits of these short distances are that it increases the number of airports that the Vision Jet can land out, allowing you to arrive closer to your intended final destination.

Thanks to the lightness and efficiency of the jet the Vision Jet has a maximum range of 1,275 nautical miles which will comfortably get you around Europe or Los Angeles to Kansas City with no trouble.

Unique to Cirrus Aircraft and unique within the VLJ category, the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 features the Cirrus Airframe Parachute Systems (CAPS).

The parachute system creates an unprecedented level of safety for the occupants of the aircraft. The system provides an additional measure of safety to occupants, with Cirrus saying that it is similar in theory to the role of seatbelts in vehicles.

This feature is provided as standard and is not offered by any other general aviation manufacturer. The system works when the red CAPS handle is pulled in flight which deploys a solid-fuel rocket out of the hatch that stores the parachute.

In seconds the chute will be fully unfurled and control the rate of descent. The specialized landing gear, roll cage and Cirrus Energy Absorbing Technology (CEAT) seats will help to reduce the shock on landing.

Cirrus Vision Jet Interior

The interior of the Vision Jet is designed in a modular fashion, allowing you to configure the interior to suit your needs.

With a maximum capacity of five adults and two children, the Vision Jet is efficient with its use of space.

If there are fewer passengers traveling then the interior can be configured to have just two seats in the back to maximize legroom and luggage capacity.

The cabin features the Cirrus Perspective Touch+ by Garmin flight deck, delivering a range of highly advanced, easy-to-use navigation and safety features.

Additionally, automatic pressurization technologies and dual climate controls ensure that the occupants enjoy maximum comfort at any altitude and temperature.

The cabin also features large, strategically placed windows to give passengers panoramic views to enjoy and make the cabin as light as possible.

Featuring built-in USB power ports, 110V power plugs, cup holders, and storage pockets, you will be comfortable throughout your flight.

Thanks to the efficient use of materials and the use of just a single engine the Vision Jet has a respectable cabin noise level of 88 dB, however, this is notably louder than a HondaJet or Phenom 100EV.

Cockpit

Sitting in the front of the SF50 not only provides a great view but also an intuitive, efficient and safe cockpit. The Perspective Touch+ by Garmin helps to enhance the revolutionary flight deck experience that was introduced on the first Vision Jet.

Now with faster hardware and intelligent batteries to ensure improved cold-start capabilities, you will enjoy a faster start up, better screen resolution, faster planning, and faster scrolling.

With available options such as autothrottle, perspective EVS, and enhanced real-time weather radar, you can arrange the cockpit to fit your needs.

Perspective Touch+ brings higher resolution and faster processing speeds to the already expansive widescreen 14-inch flight displays.

Featuring split-screen technology, the displays provide room for three separate vertical panes and the Engine Indication System (EIS) strip to be displayed simultaneously.

The dedicated Multi-function Display allows the pilot to easily monitor integrated aircraft system Synoptics: Engine & Fuel, Electrical Power, Environmental, Ice Protection, Landing Gear and General Status/Information.

Digital autopilot helps to create supreme accuracy.

Building on smart servo technology, the fully digital, dual-channel Automated Flight Control System (AFCS) delivers precise lateral and vertical navigation guidance for each phase of flight.

Additionally, the added flexibility of Perspective Touch+ allows you to view various system Synoptics – checklists, weather radar, moving map, traffic, and more – all at once.

And Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) provides a “virtual reality” perspective of ground and water features, as well as obstacles and other traffic, giving you a realistic visual depiction of your surroundings.

Cirrus Vision Jet Charter Cost

The Vision Jet is an excellent choice of aircraft if you are flying a short distance, especially if flying between smaller airports.

If you are looking to rent a Cirrus Vision Jet, then the charter cost of a Cirrus Vision Jet is estimated to cost $1,900 per flight hour.

This makes the Vision Jet the most affordable in production jet aircraft that you can rent for a flight. Of course, it is not significantly less expensive than other aircraft in the category, such as the Phenom 100EV and the HondaJet, despite those aircraft having twice as many engines.

Purchase Price

The SF50 is the most affordable new jet aircraft that you can purchase today, costing just $2.85 million before options.

This is such a phenomenal price that Cirrus even offers a useful finance calculator on their website here, allowing you to input your deposit and calculate monthly payments.

A pre-owned Vision Jet is going to cost from $2 million and up for a 2017 or 2018 model.