Cirrus Adds to Vision Jet-single Orders at NBAA

By Matt Thurber

October 9, 2008
Aircraft

As Cirrus Design’s Vision single-engine jet prototype continues to add flight hours, the manufacturer concluded a successful exhibit at this week’s NBAA show, with more deposits taken despite the state of the economy. The prototype has logged about 75 hours, most recently exploring the low-speed regime after installation of a spin chute.

One change will be a single cabin door. “Part of the reason for that,” said chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier, “is [that the interior configuration] has turned out to be so flexible…you can get to the seat you need to without having the second door.

Next will be a nearly conforming prototype, called C-zero, followed by the first fully conforming FAA flight-test version, C-1. Changes will likely include carbon-fiber structure instead of glassfiber “to get closer to the strength and weight of the final airplane,” he said, and “changes in fairings, one door instead of two, and how the windows are fastened for pressurization.

The wing may move up or down slightly. Certification could occur as early as 2010, but is more likely in 2011.

“We’re not far enough along to commit to a schedule,” Klapmeier told AIN.

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