Cirrus Vision SF50

Vision SF50
Role	Very light jet
Manufacturer	Cirrus Aircraft
First flight	First prototype: 3 July 2008 Conforming prototype: 24 March 2014 First production: 5 May 2016
Introduction	2016
Status	In production
Number built	9
Unit cost	US$1.96 Million (2016)

The Cirrus Vision SF50 is a single-engine, low-wing, seven-seat, very light jet aircraft designed and produced by Cirrus Aircraft. The aircraft was initially developed under the project name "The Jet", but Cirrus announced the marketing name of "Vision SJ50" on July 9, 2008. In March 2009, the aircraft was redesignated the "Vision SF50".

The prototype aircraft was first shown publicly at the annual Cirrus Migration on June 26, 2008, and first flown on July 3, 2008. The SF50 is intended to be a step up aircraft for pilots who have flown the Cirrus SR20, SR22 and other high-performance light aircraft.

The aircraft was Federal Aviation Administration type certified on 28 October 2016, after a ten year development process, marked by aircraft technical and company financial challenges.

The Vision SF50 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane made of composite material and powered by a single Williams FJ33 turbofan mounted above the rear fuselage. It has a v-tail and a retractable tricycle landing gear. The enclosed cabin is 5.1 ft (1.56 m) wide and is 4.1 ft (1.24 m) high with room for seven. Access to the cabin is through a clamshell door on the left hand side.

The SF50 is equipped with the CAPS parachute, making it the first jet of any kind to come with a whole aircraft ballistic parachute. It is also considered the first civilian single-engine jet to achieve certification with the FAA. The SF50 is designed for 12,000 flight hours.

Cirrus began taking US$100,000 deposits for the aircraft in 2006. Initially, as a public relations exercise, the company gave deposit holders a drawing of the aircraft in the form of a jigsaw puzzle, one piece at a time. On 28 June 2007, the entire puzzle was completed and the aircraft's configuration was unveiled.

In December 2006, Cirrus announced that its product will be the "slowest, lowest, and cheapest jet available." The SF50 will be powered by a single Williams FJ33-4A-19 engine, producing 1,900 pounds-force (8,500 N) of thrust and is expected to cruise at about 300 knots (560 km/h). The SF50 will seat seven people, with the cockpit, second row and the third row each seating two. There will be a seat that can slide between the second and third row or be removed entirely. The parachute will be located in the nose.