Sunset Visionjet

[BillD22]

Some random shots of a Cirrus Visionjet SF50 G2 on a sunset flight from San Francisco (KSFO) to San Diego (KSAN).

 

[Note:  shots are brighter and show up better by clicking for full-screen view]

 

A fog bank covers the entrance to San Francisco Bay while the setting sun lights up the Bay Bridge as our airplane departs for San Diego.

 

A crescent moon hangs over the twilight sky on the final approach course to KSAN Runway 27.

 

Passing the Coronado Bridge and the tall buildings of downtown San Diego.

 

 

Short final and roll-out past a departing Alaska B737. 

 

 

Turn off the active.

 

[pugilist2]

Beautiful set of shots! The Visionjet is a great plane to fly.

[PhrogPhlyer]

Very nice Bill.

I just saw one of these at KTTN a couple weeks ago,

Very interesting in person.

[Rupert]

On 10/24/2023 at 9:34 AM, PhrogPhlyer said:

"Very nice Bill.

I just saw one of these at KTTN a couple weeks ago,

Very interesting in person."

 

I agree with both of Phrog's statements.  I'm especially intrigued by the Cirrus Auto Fly Home Feature! ("Auto Land" or whatever name they market it by.)  

 

As I understand it from Flying magazine and other sources,  Should the Cirrus pilot or pilots become disabled, anyone aboard can pull a single handle and the aircraft will theoretically declare an emergency, then safely land itself at the closest safe airport to do so!! 

 

How cool is that!!?? 

 

I recently read in the national news about a Cessna Citation which was spotted and tracked while flying for hours on autopilot over the Eastern US after the pilot apparently passed out for whatever reason.  The intercept jet pilots even spotted the disabled pilot apparently passed out or dead in the cockpit while the aircraft was still cruising!!

 

A young mother and her toddler in the cabin were the sole passengers aboard the CJ.  They both, like the pilot, died after the plane finally ran out of fuel and crashed. 

 

A functioning Auto Land system almost certainly would have saved the two passengers lives had Auto Land been installed and the woman pulled the lever!! 

 

I hope many single pilot designed aircraft will soon have an Auto Land Function installed soon!