Elite Traveler Fall 2021

DISCOVER

etr li at ve eler FALL 2021 48

Aviation by Doug Gollan

Vision Jet G2+ The third edition of Cirrus Aircraft’s popular, very light jet was unveiled this summer

ONE VISION

There are basically three things you need to know about the third edition of Cirrus Aircraft’s popular very light jet. Unveiled this summer, the Vision Jet G2+ can take off frommore airports; it can do so with a higher takeoff weight; and, while its panoramic windows will entice you away from your digital devices, you can now stay connected with Gogo Business Aviation internet. An update of itsWilliams FJ33-5A engines means shorter runways for takeoff. That adds convenient airports in Santa Monica, California andWings Field outside Philadelphia. It also means there are no longer seasonal weight constraints when flying out of Aspen (see pg 124 for our guide to the swish town) or those hot days at Las Vegas Henderson Executive Airport. In fact, executives say to think of runways at 4,000 ft, and up to 500 lbs more payload for people, pets, baggage...whatever you need. The Vision Jet’s popularity with owners, pilots and passengers has always been due to its flexibility. There are multiple cabin configurations that can easily be switched out by the pilot on a flight-by-flight basis. Owners say the feature

makes it ideal for fishing and skiing trips on the weekend, then flying the corporate team to the week’s meetings on Monday. The single-pilot small jet can seat up to seven. And while owners and pilots are often one and the same, that’s changing as well. Cirrus’ VisionAir Owner management program offering includes an on-demand professional pilot, concierge service, complete maintenance coverage, aircraft management oversight and storage, as well as options for insurance coverage and referrals for professional tax advice. There are currently more than 245 Vision Jets in service. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, it has been the most delivered private jet over the past three years. The G2+ is priced at $2.98m 'fully loaded.' That’s a bit more than the $2.85m price tag for the G2 and up from the original, which cost $1.96m. Of course, the Vision Jet is unique with both its emergency parachute, a feature that’s been used over 100 times, and Safe Return Emergency Autoland. The latter enables the aircraft to be landed by autopilot at the nearest suitable airport

with a touch of a button, located for easy use by passengers should the pilot become incapacitated. If you want to get a good look at the G2+, Cirrus has scheduled static displays this fall at airports inWestchester County (north of New York City); Nashville; Las Vegas; Sanford, North Carolina; and Scottsdale, Arizona. If you’re already an owner, there are opportunities for bothWiFi and engine upgrades, Cirrus executives tell Elite Traveler . The Vision Jet is likely to be more readily available on the charter market in the future. Florida-based Verijet is expanding its fleet nationally — and eventually to Europe. It offers a fixed rate of $3,000 per hour and an option to have a second pilot. Jet card broker OneFlight International includes the Vision Jet in its fixed-rate, guaranteed availability membership program. cirrusaircraft.com Doug Gollan is founder and editor-in-chief of the private aviation solutions buyer’s guide, privatejetcardcomparisons.com