Unveiled publicly in June 2008, the Cirrus Vision SJ50 is the latest to join the very light jet class. Calling its aircraft the “slowest, lowest, and cheapest” jet, Cirrus Design's has put together a single-engine personal jet that seats up to seven. Like other Cirrus aircraft, including the company's popular SR20 and SR22 piston-engine singles, it is equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). CAPS releases a large canopy in the event of engine failure or other loss-of-control problems. The system has been deployed successfully many times on SR20 and SR22 flights, allowing aircraft to glide to the ground safely. Not only has CAPS saved an estimated 20-plus lives, but numerous aircraft have been put back into service after having to use the parachute. Though still in the prototype phase, many deposits have been put down for the Vision SJ50, which is being manufactured at Cirrus Design's production line at Duluth, Minn.
