Cirrus "The Jet" first flight

I meant to post this yesterday when it happened but I never got around to it so here's to some holiday blogging. General Aviation aircraft manufacturer Cirrus took it's personal jet up to the skies for its first flight yesterday morning at the Duluth International Airport in Duluth, MN. The aircraft, known only as "The Jet" made a 45 minute jaunt around Duluth in a test flight where it "performed flawlessly." This test aircraft, dubbed "V1" for verification and validation testing, was equipped with a full airplane ballistics parachute like every other Cirrus aircraft which should provide an ounce of confidence to it's up to 4 passengers and 2 crew. Once certified, Cirrus expects pilot-owners of "The Jet" to be able to cruise this sweet little ride up to 25,000 and 300 knots. Most notable of "The Jet" is its V-tail, which Cirrus claims to be the first application of this design on a major consumer aircraft in 60 years. "The Jet" is also equipped with a single Williams FJ33-4A-19 jet engine set on the aircraft's centerline in a "backpack" position for "smooth handling and excellent engine efficiency." Move over VLJ, the personal jet is set to revolutionize aviation. Of course, Cirrus won't be alone in this market as their competition from Piper and Diamond should keep the GA jet battle lively.

You can check out a video of the first flight HERE.




(via AVweb)
(photos courtesy of Cirrus Design)

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