Cirrus Design has secured necessary funds to kick-start their stalled SF50 Vision personal jet program. The company’s Chinese parent, CAIGA, has provided financial backing to see the jet through certification and intial production.
The SF50 was one of several aircraft that were designed for the “very light jet” market, most of which were canceled or mothballed due to rising development costs and a disappearing market. With the SF50 program back on track, it will be one of very few jets in the category available for customers.
“Today is simply a tremendous milestone for Cirrus,” said Dale Klapmeier, CEO and Co-founder of Cirrus Aircraft. “We revolutionized general aviation with the introduction of the SR20 just over a decade ago. With more than 5,100 SR-series aircraft delivered to date, pilots, entrepreneurs, families and aviators of all kinds have embraced our dream. Today, that dream is renewed as we are on the cusp of an even bigger leap with the Cirrus Vision. Cirrus customers, employees and partners around the world are rightfully proud of this moment.
“We have come so far in just a brief time with our new owners as they share our vision for the future of aviation and personal transportation. They have set the highest expectations for the Cirrus team. But more importantly, they are actively partnering with Cirrus while providing substantial resources for us to meet and exceed our shared goals as we build an entire family of Cirrus aircraft.”
The prototype first flew in 2008, and with deliveries now projected in 2015, it will have been a long wait for customers. The current price for an SF50 is listed at US$1.72 million until June 30, when the price goes up to US$1.96 million.