Cirrus Aircraft

Last updated

Cirrus Design Corporation
Cirrus Aircraft Ltd
FormerlyCirrus Design (1984–2009)
Company type Public
SEHK: 2507
Industry Aerospace
Founded1984;40 years ago (1984) in Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States
Founders Alan & Dale Klapmeier
Headquarters
Duluth, Minnesota
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide [1]
Key people
Zean Nielsen (CEO)
Patrick Waddick (president, innovation & operations, Duluth division)
Todd Simmons (president, customer experience, Knoxville division) [2]
George Letten (executive vice president & CFO)
Ken Harness (senior vice president, product development)
Ben Kowalski (senior vice president, sales & marketing) [3]
Dale Klapmeier (senior advisor)
Products Light aircraft
RevenueIncrease2.svg US$1.06 billion (2023) [4]
Owner China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA)
Number of employees
2,500+ (2023) [5]
Parent Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Subsidiaries Flying Colors Aviation, Inc.
Website www.cirrusaircraft.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Cirrus Design Corporation, doing business as Cirrus Aircraft (formally Cirrus Design), is an aircraft design, manufacturing, maintenance and management company, as well as a provider of flight training services, that was founded in 1984 by Alan and Dale Klapmeier to produce the VK-30 homebuilt aircraft. The company is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, with operational locations in six other states across the US including North Dakota, Tennessee (where its customer headquarters are based), Texas, Arizona, Florida and Michigan, and additional sales locations in France and the Netherlands. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] It is majority-owned by a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Contents

Cirrus markets several versions of its three certificated single-engine light aircraft models: the SR20 (certified in 1998), SR22 (certified in 2000), and SR22T (certified in 2010). As of July 2024, the company had delivered 10,000 SR-aircraft in 25 years of production, and has been the world's largest producer of piston-powered aircraft since 2013 and general aviation aircraft since 2022. [11] [12] [13] [14] It is currently the third-largest aviation manufacturer in the world overall. [14]

Sales of the SR-series grew rapidly during the 2000s, until the economic crisis of 2008. Cirrus was planning to market a light-sport aircraft called the SR Sport, but suspended the project in 2009 due to financial challenges and a lack of market demand. This has since been cancelled. After a return to company growth and United States–based expansion in the 2010s, Cirrus certified and began deliveries of the Vision SF50 very light jet in 2016. [15] [16] [17] Upon its delivery, the aircraft became the first civilian single-engined jet to enter the market, and is often referred to as a "personal jet". [18] [19]

The company produces all of its aircraft with composite materials and is known for pioneering new technologies in the light general aviation aircraft manufacturing industry, including glass cockpits and full-airframe ballistic parachutes. [11] [12] [20]

In 2001, Cirrus sold a majority of the company to Bahrain-based Arcapita. Ten years later, the manufacturer was acquired by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), which is a division of the Chinese state-owned AVIC. [21] [22] In 2024, it became a minority publicly-owned company as a component of the SEHK. [4]

History

1980s

Cirrus VK-30 kit aircraft CirrusVK-30N94CM01.jpg
Cirrus VK-30 kit aircraft

In the early 1980s, while still in college, brothers Alan and Dale Klapmeier began making drawings and building foam models of the Cirrus VK-30. [23] By 1984, they founded the Cirrus Design Company and along with spouses Jeff and Sally Viken, started developing the VK-30 as a kit aircraft in the basement of the Klapmeier family's barn in rural Baraboo, Wisconsin. [24] After a few years in the design phase, the brothers borrowed money to move the project to their own factory on the Baraboo–Wisconsin Dells Airport, where they began flight testing. [25] [26] The VK-30 was introduced at the 1987 EAA Oshkosh Convention and first flew on 11 February 1988. Kit deliveries commenced shortly thereafter. [27]

1990s

Cirrus-designed Israviation ST50 at the Paris Air Show in 1997 4X-COD Israviation ST-50 (Le Bourget 1997) 1.jpg
Cirrus-designed Israviation ST50 at the Paris Air Show in 1997

Cirrus began designing the ST-50 under contract to Israeli aircraft manufacturer IsrAviation in the early 1990s. The aircraft was configured like the Cirrus VK-30 but powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-135 turboprop engine, in place of the piston engine used in the VK-30. The prototype was first flown on 7 December 1994 by Norman E. Howell. [28] Earlier that year, the Klapmeier brothers moved company headquarters from southern Wisconsin to a much larger facility at the Duluth International Airport in Duluth, Minnesota, bringing 35 employees with them and hiring another 15 at once. [25] [29]

In August 1996, Cirrus announced plans to build a plant at the Grand Forks International Airport in Grand Forks, North Dakota. [25]

By the middle of the decade the company had discontinued the VK-30 and began development of the Cirrus SR20, which was first flown on 21 March 1995 and type certified on 23 October 1998. [30] This was followed by customer deliveries of the SR20 beginning in July 1999.

2000s

Cirrus SR20 landing CirrusSR20Landing.jpg
Cirrus SR20 landing

In June 2000, the company received an FAA Production Certificate for its SR20 aircraft. [31] On 30 November of that year, Cirrus received a type certificate for its next model, the Cirrus SR22, which began deliveries in 2001. [30]

In August 2001, Cirrus sold 58% of the company for $100 million to Crescent Capital, the U.S. arm of the First Islamic Investment Bank of Bahrain (now called Arcapita). [32] [24] [33] [34]

In July 2002, the company announced that it would collaborate with the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation to provide a new Cirrus Customer Training program. [35] In February the following year, Cirrus delivered the industry's first-ever all glass cockpit light aircraft, sparking a major transition in general aviation, whereby over 90% of all new light aircraft by the year 2006 were equipped with glass cockpits. [36] [35] [37]

Cirrus SR22 front view Cirrus SR22 front view.jpg
Cirrus SR22 front view

In June 2004, Cirrus received type certification for the SR20 from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). [38] That same year, Cirrus accomplished record-breaking sales, up 69% over the previous year. The SR22 became the world's best-selling general aviation aircraft. [39] [35]

Cirrus entered the civilian flight-training fleet market with SR20 deliveries to Sweden's Lund University in January 2005, [40] followed by Western Michigan University in September of that year. [41]

In 2006, the company delivered 721 aircraft (its most in a single year to date), celebrating the 3,000th SR-series airplane off the production line only seven years after deliveries commenced, [39] [35] something that no other aviation company had accomplished for decades. [11] That summer, Cirrus acquired a 25-percent stake in SATSair, a 2004 start-up air taxi operator that flew 26 SR22s. SATSair ceased operations on 24 October 2009. [42]

Cirrus SRS light-sport aircraft (Fk14 Polaris) ParaRudniki 2012 15.jpg
Cirrus SRS light-sport aircraft (Fk14 Polaris)

On 28 June 2007 the Cirrus Vision SF50 single-engine light jet was unveiled (then known simply as "The-Jet"). [43] At the 2007 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow, the company unveiled the Cirrus SRS light sport aircraft. [44] A version of the B&F Fk14 Polaris, the type never entered production for Cirrus. In December 2007 Arcapita stated that it was looking to sell its share of the company. Cirrus indicated at the time of the announcement that this was expected as Arcapita was considered a medium-term investor. [45]

The Jet took its first flight on 3 July 2008. In September 2008, the global sale slump in piston-engined aircraft impacted the company and it laid off 100 workers, or 8% of its workforce. This included 79 people at the main plant in Duluth, Minnesota and 29 employees at the composite construction plant in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After this round of lay-offs Cirrus had 1,230 employees remaining. Company COO Brent Wouters stated that the lay-offs were due to "not selling as many airplanes as we'd hoped to this year." [46]

Cirrus Vision SF50 single engine very light jet Cirrus Vision SF50 exterior facing left.jpg
Cirrus Vision SF50 single engine very light jet

Company CEO Alan Klapmeier announced in October 2008 that due to the economic situation and resulting lack of demand for Cirrus aircraft, the company was moving to a three-day work week. He reported that sales were down 10% over the same period in the previous year. Compared to the industry average in that same period sales were down 16%. Klapmeier also indicated that introduction of the SRS would be delayed until 2009, due to lack of demand in the light-sport aircraft market sector, but that the Cirrus Vision SF50 jet would not be delayed. [47] [48]

Cirrus eliminated 208 employee positions in the fall of 2008 and cut aircraft production from 14 to 12 aircraft per week in response to the economic situation. In November 2008, the company announced that it would lay-off about 500 production employees for one month to allow for reductions in excess stock of aircraft produced. [49] [50] Between December 2008 and January 2009, the company began the process of changing its name from Cirrus Design to Cirrus Aircraft.

Cirrus started recalling its workers on 5 January 2009 after the month-long shutdown. The furloughed workers were called back slowly over the month, to ramp up production to eight aircraft per week, compared to a company capacity of 16 aircraft per week. The company indicated at that time that it would retain the ability to reduce its workforce quickly as the economic situation and sales numbers dictate. [51]

On 9 January 2009, Cirrus announced that it would lay off 50 administrative employees and extend the layoff period for 100 of the 500 employees laid off over Christmas 2008. Company spokesman Bill King stated that the cuts were necessary or else the company would not survive the current economic crisis. [52]

In early February 2009, the company's new CEO, Brent Wouters, indicated that the future of the company would likely hinge on the Vision SF50 jet design as production of the piston single-engine SR-series had fallen to 20% of its 2008 rate of 16 aircraft per week. Wouters characterized demand for new aircraft as "awful" and added, "We are increasing our focus on the jet, because that is going to be our future engine for growth in my estimation." [53]

In April 2009, the company announced that it was suspending the Cirrus SRS light sport aircraft project. It cited economic conditions, that the aircraft required development, an expanded flight-training strategy and that the LSA rules were expected to change over time to allow LSAs with a broader mission profile. [54]

On 29 April 2009, the company announced that it was increasing production from the previous 3-4 aircraft per week back to 6 aircraft per week. The change was accomplished without recalling any laid-off workers. The company stated: "We continue to see very encouraging trends in sales activities and interest from sales prospects domestically and around the world. Clearly, this is an upward move and is indicative of a stronger bias toward growth in aircraft orders. Though we remain in a very challenging environment, our hope is that this new rate is the first step and initial indicator of what will become a more substantial trend into the second half of the year and beyond." [55]

On 1 June 2009, the company announced it was recalling 50 workers and boosting production to 8 aircraft per week. [56] [57]

The company stated:

In contrast to other reported general aviation industry trends, Cirrus Aircraft has seen consistent growth in new aircraft orders over the past 120 days, with stronger order rates consistently outpacing production output over that timeframe. Equally notable are the sources of the new orders. Domestic and international retail demand, as well as both U.S. and global institutional demand, are each playing a contributory role. Cirrus Certified, its pre-owned aircraft sales division, is seeing similar increased sales activity with used aircraft inventory levels showing increasing signs of stabilization. [57]

On 26 June 2009, it was reported by AvWeb that Cirrus co-founder and former CEO Alan Klapmeier intended to buy the Vision SF50 project from Cirrus and its major shareholder Arcapita and produce the aircraft under a new company. The new venture had been receiving financial advice from Merrill Lynch. Klapmeier indicated that his reason for wanting to take over the project was to speed up development and get the aircraft on the market sooner. [58] [59] Cirrus CEO Brent Wouters indicated that while the company intended to proceed with the SF50 program itself, he would listen to Klapmeier's proposal. [60] On Monday 27 July 2009 Wouters and Cirrus co-founder Dale Klapmeier stated at a press conference that they would find a way to produce the SF50, either at Cirrus or through selling it to Alan Klapmeier. They both said that the key factor was raising enough capital to proceed with the project, complete certification and commence production. [61] On Friday 31 July 2009 Alan Klapmeier announced that his offer to buy the SF50 program had not succeeded, with the key issue having been the program selling price, as well as other points and that the negotiations were at an end. Wouters responded saying further talks were possible, but that Cirrus would continue to develop the SF50 in house. [62] [63]

In late August 2009, Cirrus announced that it was laying off 85 employees, mostly office workers. Todd Simmons, vice president of marketing, stated: "These are challenging days for Cirrus, but the decision made is in the best interest in the entire company. Our outlook is still positive. We are making forward progress within the industry." [64]

In November 2009, the company laid off an additional 58 workers, or 10% of the remaining payroll. The company indicated that it had failed to achieve some "institutional sales of aircraft" and that meant the lay-offs were expected, emphasizing that it does not indicate deeper problems with the company. As of 11 November 2009, the company had about 550 production workers employed. [65]

2010s

In March 2010, Cirrus went to court in an attempt to get an order to prevent former supplier L-3 Communications from telling other Cirrus suppliers that Cirrus was heading into bankruptcy and from discouraging companies from doing business with Cirrus. On 1 April 2010, Cirrus applied for a "voluntary dismissal" of the case against L3, before L3 had filed a response. L3 had been engaged in a lawsuit against Cirrus for non-payment of US$18.7M in development costs for flat panel electronics, with Cirrus countering that L3 did not abide by the contract terms. [66] [67]

In June 2010, the company began paying back-rent owed to the city of Grand Forks. Cirrus had stopped paying its rent 16 months earlier. It also owed the city of Duluth back rent, which the city has indicated would be forgiven in exchange for job creation. [68]

In February 2011, Cirrus was sold for US$210M to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Government of the People's Republic of China. [69] [70] [71] The announcement of the sale was met with mixed responses. The Duluth News-Tribune labelled it "a sinking feeling of impending loss", while Russ Niles of AvWeb said "Chinese participation in the aviation industry isn't necessarily a bad thing and the folks in Duluth and Grand Forks could have suffered a worse fate. In the absence of a sale, bankruptcy was a real possibility for Cirrus and it might have been hard for a trustee to justify operating the business with the numbers it was showing. As for where it leaves current Cirrus owners and those thinking of buying one, the sale is probably a positive thing." [72]

In mid-March 2011, aviation industry analyst Brian Foley indicated that he was trying to organize a group of US investors to make a counter-offer to the Chinese buy-out to keep Cirrus as a US-owned company. Foley stated that he had seen an "overwhelming response" from the U.S. aviation community, indicating that Americans want Cirrus "to be owned and operated on American soil, period." [73] Foley's counter-offer did not materialize.

In late March 2011, freshman Minnesota congressman Chip Cravaack urged the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to exercise "extreme caution" over allowing the sale of Cirrus to the Chinese government, indicating that he was concerned that company technology would be used for Chinese military programs. Cirrus spokesman Todd Simmons responded to the congressman's remarks with surprise, responding that, "the CAIGA transaction is an investment in Duluth and our local communities." [74] On 30 March 2011, at the Sun 'n Fun airshow, company co-founder Dale Klapmeier provided reassurances that Chinese ownership would not result in production being moved out of the US. Klapmeier also expressed disappointment in the political issues raised, particularly by Cravaack. Klapmeier explained, "His concerns are unfounded," detailing that Cirrus did not have any unique technology that could be employed in military applications. [75] Former 18-term Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar also came out in support of Cirrus and the acquisition, saying Cravaack was "undermining" the situation, and that "we have nothing to fear from an investment such as this by the Chinese." [76] [77]

The sale was reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and was approved, as Cirrus has no national security-sensitive trade secrets. [78] The sale to CAIGA was completed as a merger of the two companies on 28 June 2011. [79] [80]

In July 2011, CAIGA president Xiangkai Meng and Duluth Mayor Don Ness signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding that the jobs at Cirrus would remain in Duluth and not be moved to China. Ness said "Verbal assurances are wonderful, but a written assurance, signed by the president of CAIGA, certainly carries much more weight." [81]

Following the company's merger with CAIGA in July 2011, company CEO Brent Wouters indicated that Cirrus would move quickly to expand its line of aircraft, including bringing the Vision SF50 jet to market. Wouters said "We need to expand our product line -- bigger, smaller, faster airplanes, a much broader range, and very quickly. And we need more penetration in the top 10 foreign markets. And we must go forward quickly on both avenues." [82]

On the first anniversary of Chinese government ownership in 2012, company CEO Dale Klapmeier indicated that Cirrus was financially in a much better position and progress was being made with certifying the Vision SF-50 jet. [21]

In March 2013, the company was granted a loan for US$950,000 from the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota to purchase an autoclave for composite production at the company's Grand Forks facility. The loan was originally turned down by the city, questioning whether the company would ever repay it. The loan was later allowed and an apology issued. [83]

In July 2013, Cirrus president and COO Pat Waddick indicated that the ongoing Chinese government investment would allow it to continue to develop new models of aircraft with innovative powerplants. CEO Dale Klapmeier stated that the company hopes to eventually establish additional aircraft manufacturing facilities in China. [84]

In 2013 the company delivered 276 new aircraft. This was a 10 percent increase in the number of deliveries over 2012 and the company's best year since before the 2008 recession. In 2013 the SR22 and SR22T were the highest-selling general aviation fixed-wing aircraft in the world and had been for eleven years in a row. [39] [85] Cirrus passed Textron Aviation as the largest producer of piston aircraft by unit-volume in 2013, and has remained the largest ever since. [86] [87]

On 25 March 2014 the company's first conforming Vision SF50 jet flew. [88] Cirrus also indicated that it was continuing to hire engineers, technicians and designers for the jet program. From 2011 to 2014 Cirrus hired more than 300 new workers, bringing the total number of employees to over 800. [89] [90]

In May 2015, Dale Klapmeier announced plans for the company to expand to the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee and establish a customer delivery center there, which officially opened on 12 January 2017 with a focus on aircraft maintenance and support, design personalization, fixed base operations (FBO), training and more. [91] [92]

On 28 October 2016, Cirrus received FAA type certification for the Vision SF50 very light jet, [16] with deliveries beginning in December of that year in the company's new Duluth aircraft finishing facility. [17]

In April 2018, the company was named the 2017 winner of the Collier Trophy for the "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America" in the past year. The trophy was awarded for "designing, certifying, and entering-into-service the Vision Jet — the world's first single-engine general aviation personal jet aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system". [93] [18]

By the end of 2019, Cirrus employed 1,600 people and produced 81 Vision Jets and 384 SR-series aircraft that year, resulting in the company's fifth year of growth and its best year in sales. [94] [6] [95] The Vision SF50 became the world's best-selling general aviation jet. [6]

2020s

The company has continued to rapidly grow and expand into the 2020s, adding a thousand jobs from 2021 to 2023, [5] growing its operational footprint with several new facilities in U.S. states such as Texas, Arizona, Florida and Michigan, as well as European countries like France and the Netherlands, and seeing an increase in demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. [96]

In 2022, Cirrus sold 539 SR-aircraft (almost 40% of the entire piston market [97] ) and 90 Vision Jets, totaling 629 deliveries, the most since 2007 and nearly $1 billion in total revenue. [98] It also became the largest single producer of general aviation aircraft in 2022 for the first time in the manufacturer's history. [13] [99] It continued this trend in 2023, with SR shipments accounting for over 50 percent of the worldwide piston market, more than twice the output of any competitor. [100]

Since the start of the pandemic, the company has experienced supply chain problems resulting in a backlog of almost 700 SR aircraft (as of March 2022 [101] ) or nearly two years (as of January 2023 [102] ). It has also faced challenges from the FAA with an airworthiness directive dealing with its Continental piston engines as well as a company service bulletin dealing with its firing mechanisms for the primer material that ignites the parachute rocket on some SR and Vision Jet aircraft. [103] [104]

Cirrus has helped lead sustainable efforts in the general aviation industry, becoming one of the first OEMs to conduct tests of unleaded fuel in SR22/22Ts and continuing tests of G100UL as part of a program to move towards full unleaded fuels, along with being an early adopter of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Vision Jet's Williams FJ33 engine. [105]

In June 2023, Cirrus filed an application for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the aim of raising around US$300 million for expansion [106] and selling up to 20% of the company. [107] The Chinese government-owned manufacturer does not plan to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and thus will not be offering shares to Americans during the IPO, [106] although U.S. investors may be able to buy stock in Cirrus following the IPO. [107] The company ultimately raised HK$1.4 billion in net proceeds, or about US$180 million, and began trading in Hong Kong on Friday, July 12, 2024. [4] In February of that year, the company rebranded to highlight its broadened focus from manufacturing to "flight training, product services and support, aircraft management, upgrades and accessories, sales, finance, insurance, and more”, with CEO Zean Nielsen saying, "Cirrus continues its legacy of delivering innovative products and services that make aircraft ownership easy and synonymous with premium car ownership... The new brand identity honors Cirrus’ history while positioning itself for the future where the company will leverage its intelligent aircraft and connected digital ecosystem.” [108]

Facilities

Original Cirrus headquarters on the Baraboo-Dells Airport, late 1980s Old Cirrus Design Hangars in Baraboo, Wisconsin.png
Original Cirrus headquarters on the Baraboo–Dells Airport, late 1980s
Current headquarters and main manufacturing facilities in Duluth, Minnesota since 1994. The company now has several facilities in six other states across the US, including its main customer center in Knoxville, Tennessee since 2017. CirrusDuluth.jpg
Current headquarters and main manufacturing facilities in Duluth, Minnesota since 1994. The company now has several facilities in six other states across the US, including its main customer center in Knoxville, Tennessee since 2017.

Cirrus Aircraft has several operational facilities throughout the United States and Europe.

The company's first headquarters was located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Since 1994, its headquarters and main manufacturing facilities have been in Duluth, Minnesota. An additional manufacturing facility, which opened in 1997 and produces the composite components for the planes, is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Grand Forks facility was owned by the city of Grand Forks and leased to the company for many years up until November 2020, when Cirrus purchased it for US$1.9M. [109] [110] In the fall of 2002, Cirrus opened an "aviation incubator" building adjacent to its Duluth headquarters, which it was preparing to buy from the city for US$3.45M in April 2023. [111]

On 27 December 2007, the company secured a lease for a hangar formerly owned by Northwest Airlines (who opened the facility in 1996 and closed it in 2005 [112] ) at Duluth International Airport. The 189,000-square-foot (17,600 m2) building was to be used for construction of its new Cirrus Jet. [45] Cirrus canceled the lease in 2009 during the height of the Great Recession. [112] In February 2022, Minnesota's St. Louis County approved plans for the company to expand back into the building (formerly used by AAR Corp. from 2012 to 2020 [113] ) as it ramps up production, [114] with the city of Duluth selling it to Cirrus in September of that year for just $1 in exchange for 80 additional jobs at an hourly rate of at least $36.05. [113] [115] Cirrus invested US$20M into the facility as its flagship "Innovation Center" to support engineering, design, testing, product development and other technical operations by the company. It opened on 26 September 2023. [5]

In February 2015, Duluth agreed to put up US$6M and asked the state contribute the remaining US$4M to build a US$10M factory on the Duluth Airport dedicated to the production of SF50s. The city would then try to recoup its costs for the facility from lease payments by Cirrus over time. The space opened on 19 December 2016, [116] [17] and was expanded on 15 July 2022. [117]

On 6 May 2015, Cirrus announced that it will establish a new facility campus called the "Vision Center" in Knoxville, Tennessee on the city's McGhee Tyson Airport. The facility will focus on all customer interactions and aircraft service including training (with a full level-D flight simulator), maintenance & repair, personalization, and deliveries for both the Vision Jet and SR-series. The center opened on 12 January 2017. [92] All manufacturing operations were said to remain in Duluth and Grand Forks. [118] [119]

In May 2019, the company announced that it will open its first factory-direct satellite service facility outside of Knoxville, at McKinney National Airport near Dallas, Texas, where it will expand its flight training, maintenance, and aircraft management operations. [120]

In February 2020, Cirrus announced plans to establish a new engineering and design center in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area, [6] unveiled in September 2021 to be an Innovation Center located in the city of Chandler. [7] Also in September, the company announced plans to open another Cirrus Innovation Center in McKinney, Texas, and expand its flight training services to a facility on the Scottsdale Airport in Scottsdale, Arizona. [7] Later that same month, Cirrus Orlando was introduced, with two new training and service locations in Central Florida at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida and Orlando Executive Airport in Orlando, Florida. [8]

In February 2022, Cirrus announced that it had acquired the assets of Benton Harbor, Michigan–based Flying Colors Aviation, Inc., to expand the current facility there and increase its paint production capabilities, [9] and in April announced the opening of both Cirrus France and Cirrus Rotterdam, two regional sales offices located in Valenciennes, France and Rotterdam, Netherlands, that will also support existing Cirrus training and service centers across Europe. [121] [10]

In May 2023, the company started construction of a 45,000 sq ft (4,200 m2) addition to its existing facility at the McKinney National Airport at a cost of US$13 million, with the airport, city of McKinney and McKinney Economic Development Corporation contributing funds. The new construction will provide space for aircraft sales, flight training, factory service and aircraft management. It will also include a 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2) maintenance hangar, 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2) storage hangar, eight shade hangars, a flight simulator room, retail store and customer lounge area. [122]

Management

Cirrus founders the Klapmeier brothers (Dale pictured left, Alan right) both led the company from its 1984 inception until 2009; Dale then led it for the following decade while Alan pursued other ventures. Together they were inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014. Klapmeier brothers EAA 2008.jpg
Cirrus founders the Klapmeier brothers (Dale pictured left, Alan right) both led the company from its 1984 inception until 2009; Dale then led it for the following decade while Alan pursued other ventures. Together they were inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014.

From 1984, co-founder Alan Klapmeier served as president until January 2006 and chief executive officer (CEO) until February 2009, while co-founder Dale Klapmeier led the company's design, testing and production and served as executive vice president until January 2006. [123]

On 19 January 2006, Cirrus and the Klapmeier brothers announced that chief operating officer (COO) David Coleal had been named president. [123]

On 18 December 2008, the company made public that COO Brent Wouters would be appointed president and CEO effective 1 February 2009. David Coleal was no longer with the company [124] and Alan Klapmeier continued as chairman of the board, with Dale Klapmeier as vice-chairman. [125]

On 1 August 2009, Cirrus Aircraft CEO Brent Wouters announced that Alan Klapmeier's contract as chairman would not be renewed when it expired at the end of that month. [126] Alan left Cirrus on 21 August 2009 and Dale became interim chairman the following month. [127] [128]

On 19 September 2011, the company announced that Dale Klapmeier has been named CEO and that Brent Wouters, previously president and CEO, is no longer with the company. [129] [130]

On 12 March 2013, early Cirrus employee Patrick Waddick, who originally became hired as an intern by the Klapmeier brothers in 1988 to sweep floors for the company, was named president, adding this to his COO position. [131] [132]

On 6 May 2015, Cirrus reported that chief customer officer (CCO) Todd Simmons will lead the new Vision Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where all customer activities and operations for the company will take place. [91]

On 19 December 2018, it was announced that Dale Klapmeier will step down as CEO sometime in the first half of 2019, and transition into a senior advisory role for the company. During that time, Cirrus will conduct an internal and external search for a new CEO. [133] [134]

On 4 June 2019, Cirrus announced that former Tesla Inc., James Hardie and Bang & Olufsen executive Zean Nielsen has been selected as its next CEO, marking the first time in the company's 35-year history without a Klapmeier at the helm. [135] [136]

Products

2006 model Cirrus SR22 Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo Private N918SE, LUX Luxembourg (Findel), Luxembourg PP1373043529.jpg
2006 model Cirrus SR22
Interior of SR22 with post-2008 Cirrus Perspective avionics by Garmin SR22TN Perspective Cockpit.jpg
Interior of SR22 with post-2008 Cirrus Perspective avionics by Garmin

SR aircraft series

The Cirrus SR (Single Reciprocating) Series aircraft (including the SRV, SR20, SR22 and SR22T) are produced with "Cirrus Perspective" by Garmin (and previously Avidyne Entegra) integrated digital flight displays and modern avionics as standard equipment since 2008, [137] a first in the light general aviation (GA) manufacturing industry when the Entegra instrument panel became available on the series starting in 2003. The aircraft are all electric - no vacuum systems are used. Redundancy is provided by dual batteries and alternators. The series originally began as a four-seat aircraft, with a smaller fifth seat added in 2013. The SR22 is also available with TKS anti-icing equipment, which has enabled flight into known icing (FIKI) conditions since 2009. [138] The SR aircraft series was the first of its kind to come equipped with flight envelope protection in the form of an electronic "level" button, as well as "airbag seatbelts", two airbags installed in the shoulder harnesses of both the pilot and co-pilots' seat belts. [139] [140] [141]

The series incorporates other unusual design elements. All SR-aircraft use a mechanical side yoke instead of the traditional yoke or stick flight controls, and a single power lever that adjusts both throttle and propeller RPM via a mechanical cam actuated throttle and propeller control system. The aircraft also include a leading-edge cuff on the wing for improved spin protection and 26G energy-absorbing seats for improved crashworthiness. [142] Construction is dominated by composite materials (a technique the company has used with every model since its first design in 1988, the VK-30), with traditional aluminum being used only for flight control surfaces. Although not the first certified GA aircraft built with composites, the SR-series was the first composite aircraft produced in large numbers (over 4,000 units delivered from 1999 to 2008 alone). 

The SR22T, introduced in 2010, is powered by a Continental TSIO-550-K turbocharged piston engine. Turbocharging allows the engine to maintain maximum power at higher altitudes while increasing the maximum operating altitude to 25,000 ft (7,620 m).

Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS)

SR20 inflight-test deployment of CAPS, 1998 Caps deploy.jpg
SR20 inflight-test deployment of CAPS, 1998

SR-series aircraft are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), developed in association with Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), a ballistic parachute deployed from the back of the aircraft. In many inflight emergencies, it allows the entire airplane to descend safely to the ground and has been credited with saving over 250 lives to date. [143] [144] Cirrus was the first manufacturer to receive FAA certification for production aircraft with ballistic parachute systems, and remains the only aviation company to implement the device as a standard equipment on all its models. [145] The Klapmeier brothers decided to make CAPS standard after Alan survived a deadly mid-air collision in 1985, which inspired them to develop a new safety system for future Cirrus models that would give the pilot and passengers a way out in the worst-case scenario. [146] [147] [148] It was first tested in 1998 by Air National Guard F-16 pilot and chief Cirrus test pilot Scott D. Anderson, who completed all CAPS testing that year in an SR20 prototype over the southern California desert. [147]

The turbofan-powered Vision SF50 also comes equipped with CAPS, making it the first jet with a whole-plane parachute to receive certification. [19] [16]

Safe Return autoland system

In October 2019, Cirrus became the first GA company, along with Piper Aircraft, to announce an emergency autoland system, developed by Garmin, which Cirrus calls "Safe Return" on the Vision SF50. [149] It initiates at the push of a button and allows landing on runways over 5,836 ft (1,779 m) without any human input. The SF50 became the first jet, and third GA aircraft, to become certified with the system, earning certification in August 2020. [150] In June 2021, Garmin won the Collier Trophy for its development of autoland, an award Cirrus had been honored with three years prior for the SF50, as the first certified single-engine civilian jet.

Aircraft

2021 model Cirrus Vision SF50 Cirrus Vision SF50 N299CV FDK MD1.jpg
2021 model Cirrus Vision SF50
Model nameFirst flightNumber builtType
Cirrus SR10 [151] Proposed single piston-engine three-seat trainer
Cirrus SR20 19951,811+Single piston-engine four or five-seat utility monoplane
Cirrus SR22/22T 7,737+Single piston-engine four or five-seat utility monoplane
Cirrus SR Sport 0Unbuilt single piston-engine two-seat ultralight sport plane
Cirrus ST50 1994Single turboprop-engine five-seat airplane based on VK-30
Cirrus Vision SF50 2008514+Single jet-engine five or seven-seat business monoplane
Cirrus VK-30 1988~13Single piston-engine five-seat homebuilt monoplane

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus SR20</span> Single-engine general aviation aircraft

The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engined, four- or five-seat composite monoplane built since 1999 by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota. The aircraft is the company's earliest type-certified model, earning certification in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 400</span> Single engine general aviation aircraft

The Cessna 400, marketed as the Cessna TTx, is a single-engine, fixed-gear, low-wing general aviation aircraft built from composite materials by Cessna Aircraft. The Cessna 400 was originally built by Columbia Aircraft as the Columbia 400 until December 2007. From 2013, the aircraft was built as the Cessna TTx Model T240.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Very light jet</span> Class of small jet aircraft under 10,000 lb.

A very light jet (VLJ), entry-level jet or personal jet, previously known as a microjet, is a category of small business jets that seat four to eight people. VLJs are considered the lightest business jets and are approved for single-pilot operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus VK-30</span> Single-engine pusher-propeller homebuilt aircraft

The Cirrus VK-30 is a single-engine pusher-propeller homebuilt aircraft originally sold as a kit by Cirrus Design, and was the company's first model, introduced in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus SR22</span> Single engine general aviation aircraft

The Cirrus SR22 is a single-engine four- or five-seat composite aircraft built since 2001 by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DayJet</span> Defunct American on-demand jet taxi service

DayJet was an American commercial aviation operation that provided on-demand jet travel using Eclipse 500 very light jets. Founded by Ed Iacobucci, the former leader of the IBM-Microsoft Joint OS/2 development team IBM executive and the founder of Citrix Systems, and his wife, network architect Nancy Lee Iacobucci, DayJet launched in October 2007. It was based in Delray Beach, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna NGP</span> American light aircraft prototype

The Cessna Next Generation Propeller Aircraft (NGP) was a proof-of-concept design for a future family of single engine, fixed-gear, high cantilever wing, light aircraft intended for personal, flight training and commercial use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond DA40 Diamond Star</span> Family of light aircraft

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus Vision SF50</span> Very light business jet

The Cirrus Vision SF50, also known as the Vision Jet, is a single-engine very light jet designed and produced by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eclipse 400</span> Prototype single-engine very light jet

The Eclipse 400 is a single-engine very light jet that was designed by Eclipse Aviation and Swift Engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICON A5</span> Amphibious light-sport aircraft developed by ICON Aircraft

The ICON A5 is an American amphibious light-sport aircraft (LSA) designed and produced by ICON Aircraft. A concept aircraft was first flown in 2008, and creation of the production tooling began in December 2012. The first production aircraft made its first flight on July 7, 2014, and made its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 27, 2014. A year later at AirVenture, it was temporarily donated to the youth group Young Eagles, with the first official A5 customer deliveries occurring in 2016. As of 2019, 100 A5s had been delivered, although company legal and financial issues have slowed production since 2016.

ICON Aircraft, Inc. is a privately held aircraft manufacturing company headquartered in Vacaville, California, United States. It was founded in 2006 by two Stanford graduates, aviator Kirk Hawkins and product designer Steen Strand, to develop and certify the ICON A5 amphibious light sport aircraft (LSA). The aircraft entered production in 2016. ICON is known for having brought significant excitement and publicity to the LSA industry since the A5's debut in 2008, although legal, financial and developmental issues, as well as a string of early accidents, have slowed company production and growth since 2016. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April of 2024.

Eclipse Aerospace was an American aircraft manufacturer, maintenance and upgrade company. The company provided maintenance and upgrades to the Eclipse 500 fleet and was the manufacturer of the Eclipse 550. The company was formed specifically to purchase the assets of bankrupt Eclipse Aviation, for which it paid US$20 million in cash and US$20 million in promissory notes in August 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garmin G3000</span> Integrated avionics package

The Garmin G3000 is an avionics interface system designed by Garmin Aviation for light turbine aircraft. The integrated touchscreen system contains multiple glass cockpit displays for operating a synthetic vision system and a three-dimensional rendering of terrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus Airframe Parachute System</span> Aircraft parachute system

The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) is a whole-plane ballistic parachute recovery system designed specifically for Cirrus Aircraft's line of general aviation light aircraft including the SR20, SR22 and SF50. The design became the first of its kind to become certified with the FAA, achieving certification in October 1998, and as of 2022 was the only aircraft ballistic parachute used as standard equipment by an aviation company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eclipse 550</span> Very light business jet

The Eclipse 550 is a very light jet initially built by Eclipse Aerospace and later One Aviation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The aircraft is a development version of the Eclipse 500, which was produced by predecessor Eclipse Aviation. Like the 500, the 550 is a low-wing, six seat, twin engine jet-powered aircraft. The Eclipse 550 is certified for single-pilot operation.

China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) is a Chinese aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Zhuhai, Guangdong. It was established as a division of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in July 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klapmeier brothers</span> American entrepreneurs, founders of Cirrus Aircraft Corporation

The Klapmeier brothers, Alan Lee Klapmeier and Dale Edward Klapmeier, are retired American aircraft designers and aviation entrepreneurs who together founded the Cirrus Design Corporation in 1984. Under the leadership of the Klapmeiers, Cirrus was the first aircraft manufacturer to install a whole-plane parachute recovery system as a standard on all its models—designed to lower the airplane safely to the ground in case of an emergency. The device is attributed with saving over 200 lives to date. From the brothers' use of all-composite airframe construction and glass panel cockpits on production aircraft, Cirrus is known for having revolutionized general aviation for modern light aircraft pilots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott D. Anderson</span> American aviator (1965–1999)

Major Scott Douglas Anderson was an American aviator, engineer, outdoor adventurer, and award-winning author. He flew F-16s and instructed pilots for the Air National Guard, and was a general aviation test pilot and flight operations officer. In 1998, he completed the flight-testing of the first certified whole-plane parachute recovery system, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which is credited with saving over 200 lives as standard equipment on Duluth, Minnesota-based Cirrus Aircraft's line of single-engine light aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MVP Model 3</span> Type of aircraft

The MVP Model 3 was a prototype American "triphibian" light-sport aircraft, displayed in mockup form in 2014. The aircraft was under development by MVP.AERO Inc.. Its developer has since ceased operations.

References

  1. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft - Service & Support
  2. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft News (July 15, 2015). "Cirrus Aircraft Expands Leadership Roles of Simmons and Waddick" . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft. "Cirrus Aircraft - Who We Are". cirrusaircraft.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "U.S.-based Chinese state-owned aircraft maker Cirrus lists in Hong Kong". Nikkei Asia. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Bredsten, Brielle (September 27, 2023). "Cirrus Aircraft unveils $20 million Innovation Center". Duluth News Tribune . Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Cirrus Aircraft Delivers Record Year Fueled by Vision Jet Growth". Yahoo! Finance. February 19, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Cirrus Aircraft Continues Expansion with New Flight Training Facility and Innovation Centers in Arizona and Texas". Yahoo! Finance. September 2, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Cirrus Aircraft Introduces Cirrus Orlando with Two New Locations in Central Florida". GlobalNewswire. September 22, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Cirrus Aircraft Delivers Top Performance in 2021 and Grows its Footprint". AviationPros.com. February 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Cirrus Aircraft Continues Global Expansion with New European Locations". Business Wire. April 27, 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 Davison, Budd (December 14, 2015). "Aviation 1965-2015". Plane&Pilot. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Hirschman, Dave (April 2018). "Cirrus Lands Collier". AOPA. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "GAMA's year-end report highlights positive industry activity & opportunities to improve". Iskies. February 22, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Cirrus Delivers 10,000th SR Series Aircraft". Flying. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Cirrus Vision SF50" . Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 Niles, Russ (October 30, 2016). "Cirrus SF50 Certified: First Delivery in December". AVweb. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 "Cirrus delivers first Vision jet, unveils new facility". December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  18. 1 2 Baumgarten, April (April 5, 2018). "Cirrus Aircraft recognized for Vision personal jet". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "Cirrus Earns Vision Jet Certification". AOPA. October 31, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  20. ↑ Robert Goyer (2011). "10 Ways that the SR22 Changed Flying".
  21. 1 2 Niles, Russ (July 22, 2012). "One Year Later: Cirrus Upbeat Under Chinese Ownership". AVweb. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  22. ↑ "CAIGA website". June 5, 2013. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Early Footage of the Klapmeier Brothers and Cirrus VK-30". 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Finding the Right Funding – The Klapmeier brothers' Key Move". Startup Nation. 2010.
  25. 1 2 3 "Cirrus Design Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Cirrus Design Corporation". Reference for Business - Company History Index. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Wisconsin Aviation History". Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  27. ↑ EAA Aviation Center (n.d.). "Cirrus Design Corporation VK-30 – N33VK" . Retrieved January 16, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  28. ↑ Aerofiles: Aircraft Ca to Ci Retrieved 24 July 2011
  29. ↑ "Aviation Takes Off In Duluth". August 5, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Federal Aviation Administration. "Type Certification Data Sheet A00009CH" (PDF). Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Certificate cements Cirrus production status" . Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  32. ↑ Business North article Soaring aviation ‘cluster’ hits turbulence Date: 4/9/2003 by Pamela Rust accessed 20 September 2007
  33. ↑ "NetComposites news article Crescent Capital Investment in Cirrus Industries". NetComposites. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Article Crescent Capital Changes Name to Arcapita Business Wire, Feb 28, 2005 accessed 20 September 2007" . Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "Cirrus Backgrounder" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  36. ↑ National Transportation Safety Board. "Introduction of Glass Cockpit Avionics into Light Aircraft" (PDF). Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  37. ↑ Media Fly-By. "Cirrus Soars at First Flight Celebration". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  38. ↑ "SR20 Becomes First Aircraft Certified for Import by EASA" . Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  39. 1 2 3 General Aviation Manufacturers Association (2017). "2016 General Aviation Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook" (PDF). Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  40. ↑ "SWEDISH UNIVERSITY PURCHASES CIRRUS TRAINERS" . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Aviation college getting top-flight Cirrus aircraft" . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  42. ↑ Niles, Russ (October 2009). "SATSAir Shuts Down" . Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  43. ↑ Niles, Russ (April 2007). "Cirrus 'the-jet' Image Emerges" . Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  44. ↑ Godlewski, Meg (August 2007). "Cirrus Unveils its Light Sport Aircraft; Company Will 'Cirrus-ize' FK14 Polaris" . Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  45. 1 2 Saini, Meredith (December 2007). "Cirrus Secures Jet Plant Space" . Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  46. ↑ AvWeb staff (September 2008). "AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 37a - On the Fly" . Retrieved September 8, 2008.
  47. ↑ Niles, Russ (October 2008). "Cirrus Goes To Three-Day Week" . Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  48. ↑ Duluth News Tribune (October 2008). "Cirrus CEO: Tax break could mean better sales" . Retrieved October 27, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  49. ↑ Marsh, Alton K. (October 2008). "Credit crunch felt by GA manufacturers". Archived from the original on November 3, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  50. ↑ Niles, Russ (November 2008). "Cirrus Furloughs Production Workers Until January" . Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  51. ↑ Pew, Glenn (January 2009). "Cirrus Goes Back To Work, Suppliers Too" . Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  52. ↑ Niles, Russ (January 2009). "Cirrus Introduces FIKI, Announces Layoffs" . Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  53. ↑ Pew, Glenn (February 2009). "Cirrus Shifts Focus Toward Jet Development" . Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  54. ↑ Grady, Mary (April 2009). "Cirrus LSA Program On Hold" . Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  55. ↑ Grady, Mary (April 2009). "A Glimmer Of Good News -- Cirrus Boosts Production" . Retrieved April 29, 2009.
  56. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2009). "Cirrus Boosts Production, Will Rehire 50 Staffers" . Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  57. 1 2 Cirrus Design (June 2009). "Cirrus Aircraft Announces Higher Production Rate For Second Time in 45 Days Requiring Staffing Increase". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  58. ↑ Niles, Russ (June 2009). "Klapmeier Makes Play For Cirrus Jet" . Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  59. ↑ Niles, Russ (July 2009). "Klapmeier Lays Out Jet Plans" . Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  60. ↑ Niles, Russ (June 2009). "The Future Of Cirrus's Jet" . Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  61. ↑ Grady, Mary (July 2009). "Cirrus On The Vision Jet: "We Will Get It Done"" . Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  62. ↑ Niles, Russ (July 2009). "Klapmeier Jet Deal Collapses" . Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  63. ↑ Niles, Russ (July 2009). "Cirrus Says More Jet Talks Possible" . Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  64. ↑ Niles, Russ (August 2009). "More Cuts At Cirrus, Hawker Beech, Maybe Cessna" . Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  65. ↑ Niles, Russ (November 2009). "Cirrus Cuts Staff, But Company Strong, Says CEO" . Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  66. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 2010). "Cirrus, L-3 Legal Wrangle Takes A Twist" . Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  67. ↑ Pew, Glenn (April 2010). "Cirrus Drops Latest Suit Against L-3" . Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  68. ↑ Niles, Russ (June 2010). "Cirrus Paying Back Rent" . Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  69. ↑ "China to acquire world's largest piston aircraft maker" . Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  70. ↑ Niles, Russ (February 2011). "Cirrus Acquired By Chinese Company". AvWeb. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  71. ↑ Seah, Jessica (March 2011). "Dewey, King & Spalding Advise on Chinese Acquisition of U.S. Plane Maker". The Asian Lawyer. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  72. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 2011). "China vs. the American Dream". AvWeb. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  73. ↑ Grady, Mary (March 2011). "Cirrus on U.S. Bid: "No Comment"". AvWeb. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  74. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 2011). "Congressman Warns About Cirrus Sale" . Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  75. ↑ Grady, Mary (March 2011). "Cirrus Updates On Jet, China Deal" . Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  76. ↑ Spencer, Jim (March 2011). "Cirrus CEO: China Deal Saves Jobs". StarTribune. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  77. ↑ Feyder, Susan (February 2011). "Cirrus to be Acquired by Chinese Firm". StarTribune. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  78. ↑ Grady, Mary (March 2011). "China-Cirrus Deal Faces Security Review". AvWeb. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  79. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2011). "Cirrus Finalizes China Deal". AvWeb. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  80. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft (June 2011). "Cirrus Aircraft, CAIGA Complete Merger". Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  81. ↑ Niles, Russ (July 2011). "Duluth Jobs Assured Says CAIGA". AVweb. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  82. ↑ Grady, Mary (July 2011). "Cirrus Ready To Move With "Sense Of Urgency"". AVweb. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  83. ↑ Grady, Mary (March 12, 2013). "Cirrus Resolves Loan Issue, Names New President". AVweb. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  84. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (July 29, 2013). "Cirrus Looks Beyond Vision Jet - AVweb flash Article". Avweb.com. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  85. ↑ Durden, Rick (February 21, 2014). "2013: A Good Year for Cirrus". AVweb. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  86. ↑ General Aviation Manufacturers Association (2019). "2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  87. ↑ Rapoport, Geoff (February 22, 2017). "GAMA 2016 Year-End Report: Piston Sales Flat, Turbine Single And Cirrus Sales Up". AVweb. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  88. ↑ Trautvetter, Chad (March 2014). "Cirrus Flies First Conforming SF50 Vision Jet" . Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  89. ↑ "US buyers boost Cirrus sales". Duluth News Tribune. February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  90. ↑ Renalls, Candace (March 2014). "Duluth-based plane maker Cirrus has operations in Grand Forks". Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  91. 1 2 "Cirrus Aircraft Customer Experience 'Vision Center' will expand to Knoxville, TN". Archived from the original on May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  92. 1 2 Reinke, Kelly (January 12, 2017). "Cirrus Aircraft opens 'Vision Center' at McGhee Tyson Airport". WATE-TV . Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  93. ↑ Grady, Mary (April 4, 2018). "Collier Trophy Goes To Cirrus Jet". AVweb. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  94. ↑ Bowman, Bonney (December 16, 2019). ""Like drinking from a fire hose" Cirrus CEO talks first months on the job". KBJR-TV . Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  95. ↑ DePass, Dee (February 20, 2020). "Duluth's Cirrus Aircraft posted its best sales year ever in 2019". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  96. ↑ "Cirrus Closes In on 9,000 Aircraft Deliveries". AINonline. July 27, 2022.
  97. ↑ Boatman, Julie (February 22, 2022). "GAMA Reports Year-Over-Year Increase in Aircraft Shipments In a 'Governed' Recovery". Flying.
  98. ↑ "Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft sees billings jump 21% in 2022". StarTribune. February 23, 2023.
  99. ↑ "GA Deliveries defy Workforce and Supply Issues". Australian Flyer. February 23, 2023.
  100. ↑ "Aviation Industry Growth Robust Yet at Risk". AOPA. February 21, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Cirrus Backlog Shows Growing Demand for Personal Aircraft". AIN. March 1, 2022.
  102. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft Scrambles To Keep Pace With Demand". AviationPros. January 3, 2023.
  103. ↑ "Duluth's Cirrus Aircraft deals with federal fallout due to engine supplier's problems". Duluth News Tribune. February 26, 2023.
  104. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 30, 2023). "First Engine, Then Chute Failed In Cirrus Incident". AVweb. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  105. ↑ Boatman, Julie (April 20, 2023). "Cirrus Marks 9,000th SR in 2023 With Limited Edition". Flying. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  106. 1 2 O'Connor, Kate (June 12, 2023). "Cirrus Files For Public Offering On Hong Kong Stock Exchange". AVweb. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  107. 1 2 "Minnesota aircraft maker flies high with Chinese owner". Brunswick News. September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  108. ↑ "Cirrus Revises Logo to Signal 'Next Era' of Personal Aviation". Flying. February 26, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  109. ↑ Tran, Tu-Uyen; Stahl, Brandon (March 1, 2011), "CAIGA buys Cirrus Design", Grand Forks Herald, pp. A1, A7
  110. ↑ "Cirrus company's parachute technology being recognized nationally after collision near Denver". Grand Forks Herald. May 2021.
  111. ↑ "Should proceeds of Cirrus property sale go to fund local broadband network in Duluth?". Duluth News Tribune. April 27, 2023.
  112. 1 2 Phelps, David (October 2012). "AAR to Service Airbus Jets in Duluth". StarTribune. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  113. 1 2 Niles, Russ (September 2022). "Duluth Gives Cirrus Massive Hangar, With Job Creation Pledge". AVweb.
  114. ↑ Slater, Brady (February 2022). "St. Louis County backs Cirrus expansion". Duluth News Tribune.
  115. ↑ "Cirrus will pay $1 for Duluth air base once used by AAR Corp., Northwest; promises more jobs". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. September 2022.
  116. ↑ Niles, Russ (February 14, 2015). "Cirrus Eyes Jet Factory At Duluth". AVweb. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  117. ↑ Boatman, Julie (July 18, 2022). "Cirrus Expands Its Footprint in Duluth". Flying . Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  118. ↑ Goyer, Robert (May 6, 2015). "Cirrus to Build Big Knoxville Facility". Flying. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  119. ↑ News Sentinel Staff (May 6, 2015). "Cirrus Aircraft to invest $15M, create 170 jobs at facility located at McGhee Tyson Airport". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  120. ↑ Tulis, David (May 2019). "Cirrus Adding Texas Satellite Facility". AOPA. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  121. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft Opens New Sales Office in France". Business Wire. April 8, 2022.
  122. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (May 4, 2023). "Cirrus Breaks Ground For McKinney Expansionaccess-date= 5 May 2023". AVweb. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023.
  123. 1 2 Aviation Pros (January 2006). "People News: Cirrus Announces Executive Promotions" . Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  124. ↑ Sobie, Brendan (October 2009). "Learjet's transformation" . Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  125. ↑ Niles, Russ (December 2008). "New CEO At Cirrus, Alan Klapmeier Still Chairman". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  126. ↑ Niles, Russ (August 2009). "Klapmeier Out As Cirrus Chairman". Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  127. ↑ Duluth News Tribune (August 2009). "Creator and former CEO of Cirrus leaves the company". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  128. ↑ Trautvetter, Chad (December 2009). "Handoff - Cirrus: Alan Klapmeier to Dale Klapmeier". AINonline. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  129. ↑ CirrusAircraft.com (September 2011). "Dale Klapmeieir named CEO at Cirrus Aircraft" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  130. ↑ Grady, Mary (September 2011). "Wouters Out, Klapmeier In At Cirrus". AVweb. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  131. ↑ "Cirrus names Patrick Waddick President". Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  132. ↑ "One-time Cirrus intern named company president". Duluth News Tribune. March 13, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  133. ↑ Kerry Lynch (December 19, 2018). "Dale Klapmeier To Step Down as Cirrus CEO". AIN online. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  134. ↑ Kate O'Connor (December 19, 2018). "Cirrus CEO Stepping Down". AVweb. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  135. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft Announces New Chief Executive Officer". GlobeNewswire. June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  136. ↑ "Former Tesla Exec Zean Nielsen Takes Helm at Cirrus". AINonline. June 4, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  137. ↑ "ILA 2008: 4,000th Cirrus adds a new perspective". FlightGlobal. May 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  138. ↑ Cirrus Design (January 2009). "Cirrus Aircraft Announces Known Ice Protection Availability For Sr22 And Turbo Aircraft Models". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  139. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft" . Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  140. ↑ "Airbags in the SR22" . Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  141. ↑ Robert Goyer (2010). "Envelope Protection Comes to GA". Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  142. ↑ "Cirrus SR20". AVweb. 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  143. ↑ "CAPS Works. Training Makes It Work For You" . Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  144. ↑ "CAPS History by Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association". Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  145. ↑ "Getting Cirrus about Aircraft Parachutes" . Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  146. ↑ "Fleet First - The First Cirrus SR20 Finds a Home". AOPA. October 1999. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  147. 1 2 Fallows, James (June 2001). "Freedom of the Skies". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  148. ↑ "Training that's just your type". General Aviation News. April 27, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  149. ↑ "Total Safety". Cirrus Aircraft. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  150. ↑ Lynch, Kerry (August 31, 2020). "Cirrus, Garmin Nab FAA Nod for Autoland on Vision Jet". AIN Online. The Convention News Company, Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  151. ↑ "Cirrus Has Option To Sell New Rotax-Powered Trainer". AVweb. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.