Cirrus continues to work on its Vision SF50 jet with hopes of starting deliveries in 2013. Tight funding has slowed progress, but the company has said it plans to spend 2011 building a conforming prototype. The prototype will incorporate design changes gleaned from several hundred hours of flying the current test vehicle, and will provide the template for future production. Like the rest of the Cirrus line, the jet will have a full-aircraft parachute system. With a cockpit similar to the Cirrus piston line’s, the jet aims to be an easy step up for pilots. Low approach speeds and a 25,000-foot ceiling help to keep operations simple.
