Elite Traveler Summer 2021

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etr li at ve eler SUMMER 2021

CIRRUS VISION SF50

Where first-generation personal jets like the Eclipse failed, Cirrus’ Vision SF50 seems ready to fly. According to the General Aircraft Manufacturers Association, over the past three years, it has been the most delivered private jet. Of course, with a retail price tag under $3m, one Bombardier Global will buy you more than a dozen SF50s. With more than 28 configurations and a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, owner-pilots can hop between business locations and then take the family to the lake house on the weekend. Its patented Safe Return systems will auto-land this very light jet with the touch of a button if the pilot becomes incapacitated. The large windows provide spectacular views. Its forward-facing seats mean not having to play footsie. The cabin design offers plenty of shoulder space and headroom when seated, and the seats provide an ergonomic design, with thoughtful pull-out tray tables and plenty of places to store small items. If VeriJet has its way, you will see more Vision Jets. The air taxi operator plans to expand its current Florida service area to California, Canada, the Northeastern US and Europe with over 130 of the small jets. cirrusaircraft.com

TEXTRON AVIATION CESSNA CITATION LATITUDE “Easy to fly like smaller Citations, with big jet performance,” says one expert who has broad experience on the subject. You can view the Latitude as a large, midsize jet or entry-level super-midsize type. With a maximum takeoff weight of 30,800 lbs, it’s on the cusp of the dividing line. Its flat cabin floor gives six feet of headroom, and a low cabin altitude of 5,950 ft will keep you feeling refreshed. The lavatory is spacious and has a large jet feel. It can be configured for seven or eight passengers, and with a range of 2,700 nautical miles, offers a comfortable ride for your continental travels. txtav.com

AERION AS2 The Aerion AS2 promises to be the first supersonic commercial passenger transport since the Concorde. Think London for breakfast, New York for lunch and dinner in the Hollywood Hills overlooking the twinkling lights of Los Angeles. If you don’t want to dish out $120m for your own AS2, both NetJets and Flexjet have put down markers for 20 each. The investor group that owns Set Jet, a by-the-seat private jet membership club, has ordered two of the fast jets, which will provide even broader access. Best of all, the AS2 promises to be “carbon

neutral from flight one.” aerionsupersonic.com