The first of three Cirrus SF50 Vision jets to be used for type certification testing flew in Duluth over night.
Known as "C-zero" or "C0", the aircraft was put through a flight program that included systems checks of controllability, maneuverability and flight envelope testing, and speed performance at an intermediate altitude.
Cirrus Aircraft Director of Engineering Flight Test and Chief Test Pilot Mike Stevens flew C0 on a one-hour sortie.
“The Vision Jet handled and performed very well and all systems functioned properly, just what you want in a first flight," he said. "Congratulations to the entire team on today’s accomplishment."
C0 is the first of three conforming flight test aircraft for the Vision SF50 program. A conforming vehicle means the aeroplane is substantially built and inspected to the aircraft type design. C0 was assembled from production-ready drawings, tooling, and manufacturing processes.
“The first flight of C0 is the latest milestone of many ‘firsts’ for general aviation at Cirrus,” said Dale Klapmeier, CEO and Co-founder, Cirrus Aircraft.
“Today’s successful test flight marks another significant step toward our goal of elevating the personal flying experience with a clean-sheet airplane design. The engineers, technicians, designers and all Cirrus employees that have worked tirelessly on the Vision Jet program are justifiably proud today"
The progress on the SF50 Vision is such that Cirrus expects the first deliveries to the 500 customers who reserved places on the production line to begin late 2015.