Cirrus Aircraft Autolands Vision Jet With The Touch Of A Button

By Adrienne Faurote January 2, 2020

Cirrus Aircraft introduced its new emergency autoland system, Safe Return^TM, that allows passengers to land the Vision Jet^TM, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet^TM, with the press of a button.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cirrus Aircraft

Safe Return, after being activated, takes control of the plane and transports it to the nearest airport, communicating with Air Traffic Control (ATC) all the while, then safely lands and comes to a stop.

“Our mission is to make personal aviation more accessible by continuing to improve passenger comfort and safety,” says Zean Nielsen, Cirrus Aircraft Chief Executive Officer. “Safe Return delivers the next step towards autonomous flight, bringing a new level of confidence to the overall flying experience by providing the ultimate level of safety and control to passengers. Together, with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), we have once again set a new standard for safety in personal air travel.” CAPS® is the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cirrus

Using Perspective Touch+^TM by Garmin® flight deck, Safe Return analyzes the plane’s data, including available fuel, as well as the terrain and surrounding weather to determine the closest and safest airport available, simultaneously communicating with ATC. Autothrottle, which was launched on the new G2 Vision Jet earlier this year, works with the flight control system to manage speed, altitude, and path.

The system communicates the aircraft’s intentions over the appropriate ATC frequency, the 121.5 emergency voice frequency, and also switches to the universal emergency transponder code. ATC is automatically updated at regular intervals of the aircraft’s location, emergency situation and intended airport landing location. These communications begin the process of activating emergency services at the airport of intended landing to assist the passenger and pilot upon arrival. Safe Return can be easily turned off by the pilot by pressing the Autopilot disconnect button.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cirrus Aircraft