Cirrus Aircraft today introduced Generation 7 of the successful SR series of aeroplanes.
According to Cirrus, the new G7 cockpit has been re-designed to simplify operations, and includes technology and design that has cascaded down from the SF50 Vision jet.
During the launch ceremony conducted in Orlando, Florida, Cirrus executives emphasised that the G7 was designed to make everything within reach, with a focus on emulating everyday objects such as iPads and phones.
"Our aircraft are truly designed with people in mind and the new SR Series G7 is a testament to that philosophy," said Cirrus CEO Zean Nielsen.
"Our team and our aircraft provide a clear path to enter and advance within the personal aviation community by learning to fly and eventually transition to the Vision Jet with ease.”
Ivy McIver, Executive Director of the SR product line, said the G7 was "the most significant generational change in the product's history.
"Throughout the years as we've matured and simplified and evolved the Cirrus, we've been able to invite a lot of people into aviation, many of whom never even thought about flying themselves or getting into aviation," she said.
"While the exterior looks familiar, the interior has been completely re-designed.
"When people talk about aviation, it just instantaneously seems complicated. At Cirrus, that attitude is almost completely reversed. We want this to be so simple ... that everyone wants to do it.
"When we looked at introducing a new flight deck, not only did we want to align it with the Vision jet and make it similar product-line wise so it's a seamless transition between the two products, we also wanted to introduce it to people who had no experience with aviation, but have experience with tablets and phones.
"When you get in [the G7 cockpit] it's intuitively obvious what you need to do."
Among the features of the G7 cockpit are:
- lower glareshield that increases outside view
- keyless push-button start
- 35% larger Garmin Perspective Touch+ avionics
- re-designed centre console
- automatic fuel tank switching
- stick shaker for better stall warning
- flap under- and over-speed protection.
The powerplant and performance remain unchanged.
"Every new feature and benefit, new utility and new capability on G7 has had to earn it's way onto the airplane," said President of Customer Experience, Todd Simmons. "This does not mean that we have taken anything off or done less.
"On the contrary, we have added, and focused, integrated, and simplified; more features, more functions and more capability onto this airplane than anyone thought possible.
"G7 is the ultimate expression of what [Cirrus] stand for: simpler is safer."
Despite all the hype of the glitzy, professional launch ceremony, comments from viewers suggested they were underwhelmed by the G7, with several expecting the presentation to introduce an SR10 or a Jet-A1 engine.
Full details of the G7 cockpit are on the Cirrus Aircraft website.