Cirrus Aircraft is expanding Vision Jet training to the US West Coast with the addition of a new full-flight simulator at its Scottsdale, Arizona, facility. The move marks the first time Vision Jet simulator training will be offered outside the company’s flagship Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The new simulator, built by CAE, replicates the Vision Jet’s cockpit environment and avionics suite to train pilots on procedures, maneuvers, and emergency operations. Cirrus says the simulator will support training for up to 45 pilots per month, primarily for recurrent training, when it opens to customers in March 2026.
“Cirrus is making Vision Jet flight training more accessible to customers on the West Coast,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus. “We are expanding flight training in Scottsdale, enhancing our capacity and convenience for our customers. The Cirrus Scottsdale investment is integral for our owner community seeking Vision Jet recurrent training.”
Until now, all Vision Jet type-rating and recurrent training has taken place at the Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville, where Cirrus and CAE jointly operate full-motion Level D simulators. The growing number of Vision Jets in service — now more than 500 — has increased demand for both initial and recurrent simulator slots, prompting Cirrus to expand capacity.
Located near Scottsdale Airport (SDL), the new simulator building will operate as part of Cirrus Scottsdale, which already provides SR Series piston aircraft training and Vision Jet services through the Cirrus One program. The company said it plans to hire additional flight instructors, simulator technicians, and support staff as part of the expansion. Pilots training in Scottsdale will also have access to concierge services that coordinate transportation and accommodations during their stay.
The Vision Jet, introduced in 2016, is the world’s first single-engine personal jet and features the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) as standard equipment. The model has become popular among owner-pilots transitioning from high-performance piston aircraft into jet operations.
Expanding flight training nationwide
The simulator expansion comes as Cirrus broadens its overall training and education programs. On September 30, 2025, the company delivered a fleet of SR Series G7+ aircraft equipped with Safe Return Emergency Autoland to Texas Southern University (TSU) — the first university in the world to operate aircraft with the Garmin-designed safety system.
In an emergency, Safe Return allows any passenger to press a button that activates an autonomous landing sequence. The system automatically communicates with air traffic control, navigates terrain and weather, and lands the aircraft safely.
“Congratulations to Texas Southern University and the Department of Aviation Science and Technology on their new fleet of SR Series G7+ aircraft,” said Nielsen. “Texas Southern University is the first university with advanced aircraft featuring robust safety systems to invite more people to learn how to fly, better train students, and provide added peace of mind.”
TSU recently opened a new flight academy at Ellington Airport in Houston, featuring a 22,000-square-foot hangar and classroom complex. The expansion supports one of the most diverse collegiate aviation programs in the United States.
Cirrus has also launched a new Instrument Rating Program, announced in early October 2025, to give pilots a streamlined path to earning their IFR credentials in Cirrus aircraft. The program blends simulator-based scenarios with in-aircraft instruction and leverages the company’s growing network of training centers, including Duluth, Dallas, Orlando, Knoxville, and Scottsdale.
Together, the new Vision Jet simulator, SR G7+ university fleet, and Instrument Rating Program highlight Cirrus’s long-term strategy to strengthen flight training capacity across the country and integrate advanced safety technology into every level of pilot education.
