Cirrus Aircraft and Garmin have received FAA certification of the Cirrus Vision Jet Safe Return system, a system enabled by Garmin's Autoland technology that allows passengers to land the Vision Jet with just the touch of a button. This technology was recently certified on both the Daher TBM 940 and the Piper M600. With Safe Return and the Collier award-winning Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), the Vision Jet looks to provide the most comprehensive safety solution in general aviation.

“With Safe Return, we are making personal aviation more accessible, elevating the passenger experience and taking the next step towards autonomous flight,” says Zean Nielsen, Cirrus CEO. “The Vision Jet sets a new standard in personal travel with the combination of Safe Return and CAPS, offering the ultimate level of safety, control and comfort for the pilot and passengers.”

The Safe Return activation button is located on the ceiling of the Vision Jet's cabin for easy access by passengers and can be activated, if needed, within minutes of the aircraft's takeoff. Once activated by the touch of a button, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft. This revolutionary system is powered by the Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin flight deck, which uses all available aircraft data to calculate a flight plan, avoid terrain and weather, initiate an approach and complete a fully autonomous landing without pilot or passenger intervention.

Additionally, the flight deck provides visual and aural updates to the passengers, including current location, remaining fuel, airport of arrival and estimated time of arrival. Safe Return can be easily disengaged by the pilot with a simple press of the Autopilot disconnect button on the yoke if a passenger inadvertently activates the system.

“Garmin and Cirrus share a passion for designing and engineering products without compromise. Together, we have delivered some of the finest safety-enhancing technologies to our customers over the years, and we are proud to now add the certification of Garmin Autoland in the Cirrus Vision Jet to that growing list of accomplishments,” adds Phil Straub, Garmin executive VP and MD of aviation. “Congratulations to our collective teams who contributed to the certification of Autoland on the Vision Jet, a technology that will undoubtedly have lasting impacts on the safety of our aviation industry and the lives of our customers.”