Today’s Top Pick is a 2023 Cirrus SF50 G2+ Vision Jet.

While revolutionary when introduced, the Cirrus Vision Jet has become a common sight on general aviation ramps across the country due to its popularity with private pilots and a range of commercial operators. Much of the aircraft’s appeal stems from the way it was designed around a single pilot, with the goal of making their workload easily manageable.

Many GA pilots are accustomed to flying aircraft with a range of advanced features, including autopilots and GPS navigation systems. In the Vision Jet, pilots transition to a cockpit with fully integrated automation that is several steps ahead of the retrofit technology that many have flown with for years. The difference is palpable.

Cirrus also had passengers in mind when developing the Vision Jet, which has an especially spacious, airy cabin that allows occupants to stretch out and enjoy pressurized comfort. The experience is akin to a personal airliner with first-class-only seating. If you take your family on a long vacation trip in this aircraft, they may not be willing to ever fly at low altitude with piston power again.    

This Vision Jet has just 14 hours on the airframe and its Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine, which has a 4,000-hour TBO.

The aircraft’s panel features the Garmin G3000-integrated flight deck with the Cirrus Perspective+ Touchscreen interface and Safe Return emergency Autoland system. The avionics package includes synthetic vision, altitude and heading reference system (AHRS), Garmin Class B terrain avoidance warning system (TAWS), traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), and triple digital transponders. The airplane has a ceiling of 31,000 feet and is certified under Part 135 to operate in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. 

Pilots interested in owning a well-equipped very light jet (VLJ) that is nearly new should consider this 2023 Cirrus SF50 G2+, which is available for $4 million on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus Vision Jet G2+
• FLYING Magazine: Cirrus Vision Jet Gets Auto Radar, Cirrus IQ
• FLYING Magazine: The Cirrus Life: Three Remarkable Days at the Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus Vision SF50 to Add Garmin Autoland
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet Wins Collier Trophy
• The Aviation Consumer: Vision Jet: The Safest GA Airplane?

The post This 2023 Cirrus SF50 G2+ Vision Jet Is a Fully Integrated ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The OEM’s latest turboprop contender breaks 300 knots, and clocks in at $4.1 million, it announced on Tuesday afternoon in a livestream event. The change instigating the new model number? The introduction of a 700 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engine—replacing the flat-rated 600 hp PT6A-42A in the M600. Piper anticipates FAA type certification by the end of the first quarter of this year.

The M700 stays at its 6,000 pounds maximum takeoff weight to comply with Basic Med, as well as retaining the Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck and Halo emergency autoland system—which secured the Collier Trophy as well as FLYING’s Innovation Award in 2021.

READ MORE: We Fly: Piper M600/SLS Halo

Pushing past the specs on the M600/SLS it will replace, the M700 is projected to meet the following targets:

• Maximum range: 1,149 nm at the 301-ktas maximum cruise speed and 1,424 nm at normal cruise speed
• Takeoff distance: 1,994 ft over a 50-ft obstacle, at sea level on a standard—-a 24 percent improvement from the M600 at 2,635 ft under the same conditions
• Departure climb: 2,048 fpm—a 32 percent improvement over the M600—at MTOW
• Time to climb: 13.9 minutes to FL250, covering 34 nm and burning 97 pounds of fuel, all 25 to 35 percent improvements over the M600
• Landing distance: up to a 26 percent reduction in ground roll over the M600
• Garmin’s PlaneSync technology, adding remote aircraft status capability using the Garmin Pilot app, and database downloads while the aircraft is powered down

“The M700 Fury is a beautifully efficient, cross-country thoroughbred that gives our customers a performance-based flight experience with economics never seen before,” said Piper Aircraft’s president and CEO, John Calcagno. “We listened, and we delivered. The M700 Fury encompasses power, performance and the most advanced safety measures available today and an overall value proposition that is extremely compelling to individuals and corporate flight departments alike.”

Customers can choose from six interior schemes with updated leathers and design elements.

Following certification, U.S. deliveries will begin immediately, according to Piper, with validations with Canada, EASA, the U.K., and Brazil on the horizon next. With the sunset of the M600, the M-series now encompasses the M700, M500 turboprop retaining the PT6A-42A at 500 hp, and M350 piston-powered high-performance singles.
Look soon for FLYING’s We Fly pilot report on the M700.

The post Piper Lifts the Veil on the M700 Fury, Its Fastest Single Yet appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Autoland system is designed to take control of the aircraft in an emergency and land it autonomously at the nearest suitable airport. This technology is meant to bring additional safety and peace of mind to the cabin for passengers and pilots concerned about possible pilot incapacitation.

• WATCH: We Fly Garmin Autoland King Air 200

“We are thrilled to deliver our first Garmin Autoland upgrade in a King Air B200,” said Dan Edwards, CEO of Elliott Aviation. “Safety is always our top priority, and the Garmin Autoland system represents a groundbreaking advancement in aviation technology. This achievement reflects our team’s expertise and commitment to providing our customers with the latest and most advanced avionics solutions.”

The company previously performed similar upgrades to Daher TBM 940s that had not been equipped with the Autoland system—specialized by Daher as Home Safe—at the factory. The Moline, Illinois, company said the King Air upgrade “underscores Elliott Aviation’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements within the aviation industry.”

• READ MORE: Elliott Aviation Completes Home Safe Upgrades to TBM 940

Founded in 1936, Elliott Aviation provides a range of aviation services including avionics, maintenance, accessories, paint, interiors, and aircraft sales.

The post Elliott Aviation Delivers First Garmin Autoland Upgrade in King Air B200 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Now with the advent of the “still kinda new” Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS2020), the default airliners seemed pretty good to me over the past few years, but not great. They are loved for their good looks and ability to travel to and from great expanses of the sim globe, but not much more. The default sounds were horrendous—and still are. Luckily, that was solved by a little company called FTSounds, which has redone many of the default aircraft sound sets to something far closer to the real thing. Now in addition to that, the default jetliners recently got a makeover in terms of systems modeling and avionics updates by the Working Title company. These free upgrades got pushed automatically by recent in-sim, mandatory updates, so by the time you see this, you’ll already have the newly enhanced heavy jets. 

• READ MORE: Your First Sim

I was thrilled to find out all this was integrated seamlessly and works so well. The newly done avionics fidelity didn’t cause any performance or dreaded frame rate reduction either. Now our default jets are looking and performing as they should, like a costly add-on. Until PMDG releases the upcoming 777 and 747, the default 747 and Boeing 787 complement the realism and fidelity of the currently available PMDG 737NG and BBJ lineups for MSFS2020.

To initiate an autoland in the airliners, you’ll need to make sure your FMS is properly set as in any flight, with the destination, runway selection, ILS chosen, speed performances, etc. Be sure to have spoilers armed and auto brake set to whatever you want. On a long runway like Denver International Airport (KDEN), where I did this example, I had auto brakes off completely and used full reverse to stop the jet (or at least to 60 kts per usual real-life stuff ). The FMS on the Boeing 747 and 787 auto select the frequencies, so you’ll not need to calculate or hunt those down. Once the airplane is on the initial approach, it will look similar to any ILS.

Once a certain distance is hit, it will proceed to LAND 3 or LAND 2 modes. LAND 3 will utilize all three autopilots and perform the entire event all the way to rollout with self steering and runway tracking to a stop. In this example, the autothrottle is on, holding a target landing approach or V_REF of 151 kts. It’s wild to see the throttles moving on their own, but they do. No matter the weather and wind, this thing works.

On short final, you may see a FLARE annunciation, but you’ll not need to do anything, as it will do that maneuver all by itself too. It will round out, hold the nose up, and allow a gentle sink rate onto the pavement. If you watch it closely, it’s almost a lesson on how to land a heavy jet with perfection each step of the way. As in real life, if you do this in zero-zero, you may never even see the runway at all. Maybe at night you’ll see the centerline lights, but the only indication you’ve landed is the spoiler snatch back, or touchdown sounds.

The slowdown and rollout with the gentle wobbling back and forth to keep the centerline was fabulous as I had not expected all this detail. In some autoland sim models, you’ll have to kick off the autopilot yourself since it’s not going to steer precisely. Now, I only fly a bizjet in real life, so I haven’t experienced real autolands or equipment at different runways—maybe they don’t all allow precision to a stop.

I have been practicing autolands in both Microsoft Flight Sim and X-Plane products over the years, and it’s especially rewarding in zero-zero. When I recorded these screenshots, I was using live weather and wasn’t sure how precise it would be or even if it would work correctly, so I was happy to have great weather. I now have no doubts that if you’re flying a default 747 or 787, it will perform just as perfectly when unable to see. Just remember the centerline may be easier to see at night in zero-zero than during the day. Autoland on jetliners has been around far longer than I ever knew, going way back to the 1970s when most airliners had that functionality built in. The great trijets, such as Lockheed L1011s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, used this technology just like the 747s and the Boeing 757s and 767s in the 1980s. 

For the real die-hards, I would recommend the plethora of YouTube videos or other online resources available on the subject. It’s amazing how much great material is available for the inquiring mind on real-world operation. 

The best website to totally geek out on is run by a friend of mine, Steve Giordano. 

Speedtapefilms.com and its associated YouTube videos present great HQ cockpit action from all around the globe as Giordano and his team ferry jetliners around for banks and various new owners.

The post Amazing Autolands appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet.

The Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet caused a sensation at its unveiling more than a decade ago and continues to do so with this improved G2 model. Designed as a path for pilot-owners to step up from piston aircraft to a jet, the SF50 G2 offers more travel options through enhanced speed and range. Its spacious, pressurized cabin represents a significant upgrade in comfort when compared with other single-engine piston and turboprop airplanes.

This SF50 G2 has 325 hours on the airframe and its Williams International FJ33 turbofan engine, which has a 1,846-pound thrust rating. Other highlights include the Safe Return Autoland system, Cargo X-Tend for additional cargo capacity, and Flight Stream 510 connectivity.

The aircraft’s Special Edition Arrivée interior includes executive seating with a center console, two-tone albatross and obsidian premium leather seats with white Arrivée accent stitching, Alcantara headliner with carbon fiber accents, and granite premium carpet. The aircraft’s Elite avionics package includes digital real-time weather radar, enhanced vision system, Surface Watch, traffic collision avoidance system, terrain awareness, an additional AHRS, ADS-B weather and traffic, and an additional digital transponder.

If your business and family travel plans would benefit from pressurized comfort,  300-knot cruise speed, and 31,000-foot service ceiling, you should take a closer look at this 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet, which is available on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus Vision Jet G2+
• FLYING Magazine: Verijet Adds 3 Cirrus SF50 G2+ Vision Jets to Fleet
• FLYING Magazine: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet: Factory Tour
• Plane & Pilot: 2019 Planes Of The Year: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet G2
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet Wins Collier Trophy
• The Aviation Consumer: Cirrus Vision Jet G2: Higher, Quieter, Safer

The post Today’s Top Aircraft For Sale Pick: 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

On the cover we feature the Beechcraft King Air 200—which creates the latest platform for Garmin’s Autoland supplemental type certificate. The STC marks the first for the avionics pioneer, and we test fly it for our readers in the upcoming issue.

Inside the pages, we compare the Meyer 200 and Navion as classic cruisers to buy on the used market, and give you our assessment. We fly to the Finger Lakes area of New York—simply gorgeous with its autumn leaves., and test out a round of kneeboards for your iPad mini. Plus we give you all of the columns and proficiency articles you’ve come to expect from our deep bench of expert contributors—so make sure you’ve subscribed. You’ll also get a chance to win in our Ultimate FLYING Giveaway!

The post Choose the Next FLYING Cover appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“The certification of HALO in Canada is an important accomplishment for M600 owners, Piper, and our Canadian dealer, Aviation Unlimited,” said Ron Gunnarson, vice president of sales, marketing, and customer support at Piper. “It is our mission to bring the latest and greatest technology in our aircraft to customers worldwide.”

• READ MORE: We Fly: Piper M600/SLS Halo

For M600/SLS aircraft already operating in Canada, the installation of a simple kit containing certain HALO components and new software will allow the entire Autoland system to function.

The Piper M600/SLS with the HALO Safety System is the first general aviation aircraft certified with Garmin Autoland, which can safely land the aircraft at the nearest suitable airport if the pilot becomes incapacitated. The Piper’s G3000 avionics include autothrottle, Autoland, emergency descent mode, Surface Watch, Safe Taxi, and other features designed to increase safety.

The six-seat, pressurized M600/SLS is powered by a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 274 ktas, a range of 1,658 nm, and a standard useful load of 2,400 pounds.

The post Transport Canada Grants Certification for Piper M600SLS HALO appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For the quarter that ended July 1, the company posted net income of $287.9 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, compared with $257.9 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, a year earlier. Sales rose to $1.32 billion from $1.24 billion.

The company, whose product lines include equipment for fitness, outdoor, automotive, and marine markets in addition to aviation, counted the release of its Autoland and autothrottle systems to the retrofit market among the period’s highlights. The company said the systems’ certification for certain Beechcraft King Air aircraft is “imminent.” Garmin’s Smart Glide also received a 2023 Readers’ Choice Award from FLYING.

• READ MORE: FLYING Reveals Innovation Award Series for 2023

“We returned to consolidated revenue growth in the second quarter with growth in three of our five segments, demonstrating the resilience of our diversified business model, said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and CEO. “Our recent wearable launches have been well received, and we expect continued revenue growth throughout the remainder of the year.” 

For the six-month period, Garmin reported net income of $490 million, or $2.56 per diluted share compared with $469 million or $2.43 per diluted share during the same period in 2022. Sales rose to $2.47 billion from $2.41 billion. 

The post Garmin Reports Promising Second-Quarter Results appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Initial approvals will be for King Air 200s that have the Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck STC. After approval on the 200 series is secured, Garmin will pursue the nod on similarly equipped King Air 300s as well. 

FLYING’s editor-in-chief Julie Boatman had a chance to fly with the new system—including the associated autothrottle in Garmin’s test bed King Air 200 with demonstration pilot Jessica Koss. Watch as the system goes through its activation sequence and performs a creditable landing back at Appleton International Airport (KATW) in Wisconsin.

The post Watch: We Fly Garmin Autoland King Air 200 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The King Air series will join more than 600 OEM-equipped, Autoland-capable aircraft already in the field.

• READ MORE: Top 5 Things We Look Forward to at Oshkosh

GHA 15 Height Advisor

A great new tool for light sport experimental aircraft, the GHA 15 height advisor puts above-ground-level data on the altitude tape of a Garmin G3X Touch primary flight display. The unit—a little larger than a deck of cards and weighing about a pound—is available to order now, with deliveries beginning in a couple of weeks. The GHA 15 calculates the aircraft’s height above the ground using its own radio waves and measuring the time it takes for those signals to return.

Jim Alpiser, director of aftermarket sales for Garmin Aviation, also called out the utility of the GHA 15 for pilots flying into remote and unimproved areas. “It’s using our radar technology to provide that above-ground-level information,” said Alpiser, “which can be challenging certainly over water, if you’re flying over clear lakes, if you’re flying over rough terrain, if you’re backcountry folks—I think that’s another area that’s really going to benefit from this technology.”

The GHA 15 incorporates standard callouts, starting at 300 feet agl, and in selected intervals down to 1 foot agl. These callouts can be customized according to the pilot’s preferences. The system retails for $1,995 plus installation.

PlaneSync Update Available 

In April, Garmin projected the expansion of its PlaneSync connected aircraft management system would be available in Q3 of this year for a wide range of aircraft—and turns out it is indeed ready now. The GDL 60 datalink uses 4G, LTE, Wi-Fi, or cellular connectivity to help the pilot streamline pre- and postflight processes. While the GDL 60 uses LTE to check fuel and systems status, it uses LTE or Wi-Fit to download database updates and upload engine and other flight data. Downloads can take place when the pilot is away from the aircraft. 

The GDL 60 can integrate with several varieties of Garmin avionics, including GTN Xi series navigators, TXi series flight displays, GI 275 electronic flight instruments, and select Garmin integrated flight decks. Starting in 2024, PlaneSync will add the capability to automatically transmit engine and flight data, and it can then be viewed using the Garmin Pilot app or on flygarmin.com—or some features on a Garmin D2 Mach 1 smart watch.

The post Garmin Connects PlaneSync with More Airplanes appeared first on FLYING Magazine.