AvBuyer Magazine - July 2018

80 AVBUYERMAGAZINE– July 2018 http://www.AVBUYER.com Aircraft Index see Page 129

Stable & Predictable Handling

The SF50’s V-tail keeps the empennage out of the

way of the engine, mounted on top of the rear

fuselage. But an extra benefit is two matching fins

below the tail, which comprise a stability

augmentation system that comes on once we leave

the ground. They also counteract yaw, which means

there is no need for a yaw damper.

The result is an aircraft that is stable and

predictable in its handling – which is perfect for an

aircraft that is likely to be flown under Instrument

Flight Rules for much of its time in the air, even if not

actually in the clouds.

The hugely sophisticated autopilot helps here –

an easy interface is just ahead of my right hand

where it rests on the power lever.

While there is no auto throttle, an on-by-default

envelope protection system is built into the

electronics. If I try to turn too steeply for the

airspeed, for example, and ignore the verbal

warnings, the system nudges the stick back towards

safety. And for protection against stalling there is

both a stick shaker and, as a next step, a stick pusher.

In addition, if I were to become disorientated

while hand-flying (for example in cloud or on a

moonless night), there is the ‘magic blue button’.

Pushing it returns the aircraft to straight and level

flight. It’s quite hard to imagine needing it, though.

Most flying is done through the autopilot, and the

Vision Jet’s display screens are not only big but also

customizable. So almost any combination of maps,

systems data and weather can be displayed at the

same time.

Below the screens are three large touchscreen 

OPERATING PILOT REPORT

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