Cirrus Announces the SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland
Cirrus Aircraft Ltd., a leader in personal aviation, has unveiled the SR Series G7+, an innovative new addition to their lineup, now featuring the groundbreaking Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland by Garmin®. This new system, the first FAA-approved autonomous emergency landing technology in a single-engine piston aircraft, brings an unprecedented level of safety to pilots and passengers. With the touch of a button, anyone in the cabin can initiate the system, which autonomously navigates the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport and lands without pilot intervention. This transformative technology elevates the SR Series G7+ to a new tier of safety and convenience, offering a powerful automated response in the event of pilot incapacitation or other in-flight emergencies.
A Milestone in Aviation Safety
The integration of Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland represents a major advancement in the realm of aviation safety, providing a critical lifeline in situations where a pilot may be unable to safely control the aircraft. Cirrus Aircraft, known for its commitment to safety, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with this new system, building on its previous achievements, such as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). With Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland, Cirrus ensures that the SR Series G7+ remains the world’s safest and most capable high-performance single-engine piston aircraft.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce the SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus. “This system, which enables anyone in the aircraft to initiate a safe landing with the push of a button, reflects our relentless commitment to safety and innovation. With the addition of this technology, we are expanding the possibilities for pilots and passengers, offering a level of security that was once exclusive to larger, more complex aircraft.”
Cirrus Aircraft has built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge, safety-enhanced aircraft, and with the SR Series G7+, they continue to set new standards in aviation. This new aircraft model, which is already being delivered to customers, exemplifies Cirrus’s commitment to producing aircraft that are not only technologically advanced but also equipped with comprehensive safety features.
The Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland System
At the heart of the SR Series G7+ is the Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland system, an advanced solution that can autonomously land the aircraft in the event of an emergency. By leveraging a sophisticated combination of onboard sensors, algorithms, and automated flight control systems, Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland ensures that the aircraft can execute a safe landing without requiring any input from the pilot. This system offers peace of mind for both the pilot and passengers, knowing that in the event of an emergency, the aircraft can land safely, even without human intervention.
The system works in several stages, ensuring that the process is seamless and efficient:
- Activation Process: In the event of an emergency, Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland can be activated by any person in the cabin with a simple push of a button. This button is centrally located on the cabin ceiling, making it easily accessible to passengers or the pilot in distress.
- Autonomous Control: Once activated, the system takes over control of the aircraft. It uses advanced algorithms and onboard sensors to adapt to changing conditions in real-time, such as weather, terrain, and airspace restrictions. The system autonomously navigates the aircraft, calculating the best path to the nearest suitable airport and avoiding obstacles along the way.
- Communication with Air Traffic Control: Throughout the flight, Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland continuously communicates with air traffic control (ATC), ensuring that the necessary airspace is cleared for a safe landing. The system automatically switches to the appropriate frequencies as the aircraft progresses toward its destination.
- Safe Landing: Upon reaching the destination airport, the system performs an automated landing sequence. It controls the autopilot and the engine, ensuring the aircraft lands smoothly, bringing it to a complete stop. The engine is then shut down, and the propeller is stopped, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft safely.
- Passenger Experience: Throughout the process, passengers are kept informed via the flight displays, which show vital information such as the airport destination, estimated arrival time, and remaining fuel. Additionally, the system allows passengers to communicate directly with air traffic control using a “Talk” button, ensuring that everyone on board remains informed and reassured.
Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland is designed to be intuitive and responsive, with multiple activation methods to ensure reliability. If the pilot is incapacitated or unable to activate the system manually, the technology will automatically activate if the system detects erratic flight behavior or an unresponsive pilot. If the pilot regains control or wishes to override the system, Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland can be disengaged at any time by pressing the autopilot disconnect button.
Additional Features of the SR Series G7+
In addition to Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland, the SR Series G7+ comes equipped with several other cutting-edge features designed to improve pilot convenience, enhance safety, and streamline operations:
- Automatic Database Updates via Cirrus IQ PRO™: Through the Cirrus IQ™ app, aircraft owners can now receive automatic avionics database updates via Wi-Fi or LTE. This ensures that pilots always have access to the most current and accurate navigation data. Updates can occur even when the aircraft is powered off, ensuring that essential databases are synchronized when the aircraft is next used.
- Runway Occupancy Awareness: Leveraging ADS-B traffic data, this feature alerts pilots to potential runway incursions. Whether it’s an approaching aircraft or another vehicle on the runway, visual and aural warnings are provided, helping pilots maintain situational awareness, especially at busy airports.
- Smart Pitot Heat: This feature, enabled through the Perspective Touch+™ flight deck, automates the management of the pitot heat system. The system performs a self-test before every flight and automatically turns the pitot heat on or off based on external air temperatures, reducing the pilot’s workload and increasing the safety of the flight.
A Legacy of Safety and Innovation
Cirrus Aircraft has a long history of leading the way in aviation safety and continues to drive innovation forward. From the development of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) to the introduction of advanced avionics and autonomous flight capabilities, Cirrus has consistently made strides in making personal aviation safer and more accessible.
With more than 10,000 SR Series aircraft produced and over 17 million flight hours logged since the model’s introduction, Cirrus Aircraft remains committed to evolving the aviation industry. The SR Series G7+ is a prime example of the company’s vision for the future of flight—one that prioritizes safety, innovation, and ease of use.
Looking Toward the Future of Personal Aviation
The SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland is a game-changer in the world of personal aviation. As technology continues to advance, Cirrus Aircraft remains at the forefront of these innovations, ensuring that pilots and passengers can fly with greater confidence and peace of mind. The introduction of autonomous emergency landing technology into the SR Series G7+ opens up new possibilities for general aviation, making personal aircraft more accessible to a wider audience.
Cirrus’s ongoing commitment to safety, convenience, and technological excellence ensures that the SR Series G7+ is not just an aircraft, but a milestone in the evolution of aviation. With features like Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland, Cirrus is not only enhancing the flying experience but also making flying safer for everyone involved.
As Cirrus Aircraft continues to innovate, the SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland represents the next step in aviation safety. This new system, along with other advanced features, solidifies the SR Series G7+ as the world’s most advanced and safest high-performance single-engine piston aircraft. By making technology previously reserved for larger, more complex aircraft available to general aviation, Cirrus is providing pilots and passengers with the confidence that comes from knowing their aircraft is equipped with the latest advancements in safety and automation. The future of aviation has arrived, and it’s safer, smarter, and more accessible than ever before.