The FAA has issued Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) for Cirrus Aircraft‘s Vision SF50, marking another milestone in the aircraft certification program.
TIA initiates formal FAA flight evaluation of the Vision SF50 type design, airworthiness, performance and handling properties, Cirrus officials explain.
This TIA allows Cirrus to move forward with FAA Conformity Inspections and Certification Flight Tests with an FAA pilot on board the aircraft, one of the final elements needed for Type Certification.
The TIA comes after intensive scrutiny of engineering designs, structural testing and flight test results that demonstrate compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. To achieve TIA from the FAA, Cirrus’ first conforming flight test aircraft, C-Zero, was analyzed in airframe structure, stability in flight controls and stall performance. The accumulated test hours and results deemed it safe to fly by the FAA and ready for compliance validation, Cirrus officials note.
Three conforming Vision SF50 prototypes are working to demonstrate Type Certification compliance to requirements, already completing a wide range of company tests including the recent flyover noise levels.
Recent successful completion of ultimate load drop testing for the signature Cirrus Airframe Parachute System paves the way for aircraft in-flight deployment testing this fall.
Wing and stabilizer cyclic lifespan and stress testing are currently underway, updates to an advanced new avionics system, plus interiors and paint schemes are also being finalized.
With the first Vision SF50 units entering the production line, Cirrus’ goal is to achieve Type Certification by the end of 2015 and begin customer deliveries shortly after, officials noted.