Cirrus Still Has A Vision (SF50) For The VLJ Market

 With Piper stepping up the game with an enlarged PiperJet 'Altaire' beginning to take shape, it's good to see that the Cirrus Vision SF50 jet is also still moving closer to market reality. Both of these airplanes will benefit from some good old competition as they make their way thru design changes and certification efforts in the future. While the two airplanes take very different approaches to the small personal jet concept, and will likely offer significantly different advantages, they both seem likely to draw a good audience.

 This video does a lot to stir the juices of excitement for where Cirrus is headed with their Vision. Be sure to check out the updated Vision info on the Cirrus website, and I especially recommend you view this 24 page Cirrus Vision Update pdf from October 2010. I also plan to compare the airplanes more closely in the near future... but for now, put a towel under your chin to catch any uncontrolled drooling and enjoy the video!

Video: PiperJet Altaire - A Stellar Evolution

 At Oshkosh 2008 I remember very clearly the one big (or should I say small) element of the PiperJet cabin mock-up that turned me off... extremely cramped quarters. Sure, they were claiming 400+ mph cruise speeds, but in my mind, it would have to be more like a Mach 4 cruise to tolerate such a small space in my human life form. Still, there was a lot to like in the general concept of the PiperJet, but I felt it needed a bigger cabin to really be a success.

 Well now it looks like I was on to a good thought as evidence by the re-designed PiperJet: enlarged, with a bigger cabin cross section, and now called the PiperJet Altaire. They're still claiming 360 knots max cruise, and still running with the simplicity and affordability of a single turbine engine, but with the re-design, they've turned a really good idea into a great one. Stellar in fact.

 This Piper video gives a great overview of the airplane. It starts with images of the original prototype PiperJet and works its way to showing the updated design in simulated flight. In my opinion, just about everything on the Altaire looks like it's in the right place. I'm actually pretty excited about this airplane - what's up with that?

Lowest, Slowest, Shortest Range Jet... Oh Yeah!

Photo illustration of the production version of the Cirrus SJ50 Vision jet

The Cirrus jet at Oshkosh 08... less than a month after making its first flight

 Hmmm... lowest, slowest, shortest range jet?  Doesn't exactly sound like the best thing for a jet airframers CEO to say about their biggest product in development.  But the reality is, according to Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier, that the Cirrus SJ50 Vision jet is actually shaping up to be a great performer.

 The first 120 hours of flying have shown that the production version should be able to achieve a high speed cruise of 300 KTAS.  Pretty impressive when you consider just how roomy the cabin is.  Did you climb in that static display at Oshkosh?  Wow is that thing ever huge on the inside!  

 Several design changes are being incorporated as they move toward the production aircraft.  The illustration at the top shows some of these differences.  Some subtle changes are being made to the front end to make more room for the nose gear and control systems, as well as a smoother transition into the windshield.

 The fuselage will get a more circular cross section, and there won't be a door on the right side.  Instead, there will be an emergency exit in its place.

 The Williams FJ33 engine mounted in the piggy-back position is getting a redesigned exit nozzle to adjust the thrust line in an effort to minimize pitch changes with power changes.

 And the V-tail is having some of the sweep removed, which for a variety of reasons will actually lead to a weight reduction.  The ventral fin is also being tweaked.

 More updates coming soon on this impressive aircraft.  Til then, check out these links for more info.

 http://www.the-jet.com/news/index.html

http://www.cirrusdesign.com/future/