Page 10 - TTFebruary2018

With a width of 61 inches at its widest, the Vision Jet cabin is spacious with large windows.
every switch and knob had to earn its way onto the aircraft. For an SR pilot, it will feel instantly familiar: the autopilot, flap control, throttle and control stick are all in the same location. Just as remarkable is the large, unobstructed view out the windscreens, most likely the best of any turbine aircraft out there.
The Garmin Perspective integrated flight deck (based on G3000 system) features two large landscape-oriented displays (PFD and MFD) and three touch screen controllers: one main FMS controller, a second for PFD/MFD controls and a third for communications. The touch screen controllers are oriented in a landscape format, with the left one serving as a backup display, eliminating the need for separate displays.
The cabin, although somewhat spartan in its appearance, is marvelously spacious. It is 61 inches at its widest and seats up to four passengers plus two child seats. The windows are large and offer excellent views. The jet also comes with an
optional potty. Cup holders, a USB connector and headset jacks are located at each seat. You can easily imagine the cabin appealing to pilots with young families.
Starting the Vision Jet is simple: twist the start/stop button, then flip on the main generator and alternator; the FADEC takes care of the fuel for you. Speaking of fuel, the aircraft holds 296 gallons usable, or 2,000 lbs., in two wing tanks that are continuously and automatically balanced. At full fuel, you can achieve the 1,200-nm range, but you have less than 500 lbs. payload to work with. Cirrus predicts owners will most likely fly shorter legs, giving them more flexibility to carry more cabin payload.
With its castering nosewheel, taxiing the Vision Jet is a lot like the SRs: it takes some practice to master but easy to control once you start moving. The jet has low thrust at idle, so there is no requirement to ride the brakes. I loaded the flight plan to Sioux City, Iowa (KSUX) and the aircraft’s performance calculator automatically provided V speeds and runway required. Once on the runway that big windscreen provided a panoramic view of the airport environment and the pavement ahead.
Applying the FJ33’s 1,800 pounds of thrust yielded immediate acceleration. At 90 kts., I rotated, cleaned up the aircraft and aimed for a 155-kt climb. The side controller requires a determined pull to unstick the nose and fly off the runway. Once airborne, the aircraft is nimble and responsive
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