Cirrus Aircraft News

Now is the time to get the lowest rates in over 2 years.  Cirrus Finance is offering a rate of 5.65% with 20% down or 6.09% with 15% down - both are fixed rates for 20 years and subject to credit approval.  Please contact us immediately to get locked in to these low rates.

Cirrus Finance
888-450-4826
finance@cirrusaircraft.com

Some rules and restriction apply, please contact Cirrus Finance for full program details.

Last week the Cirrus Division Sales Director for China, Scott Jiang, earned his private pilot license in an SR22 in just 21 days, including the completion of his knowledge test and check ride. Not only is this an extraordinary accomplishment, but it should also be noted that English is not Scott's primary language. His training was completed at Venture North Aviation, a Cirrus Training Center, located near Cirrus' Duluth headquarters. This is yet another demonstration that Cirrus airplanes, including the SR22, are effective classrooms for primary flight students. Other Cirrus owners have also earned their private pilot's license in the Cirrus SR22, including a Turbo, and of course, many more have done so in a Cirrus SR20. 

Scott is featured in this month's edition of Global Flying, a Chinese aviation publication, promoting the developing market for General Aviation in China. READ MORE

With support from the staff at Cirrus Headquarters, Scott is responsible for selling several Cirrus aircraft into the challenging Chinese market. Cirrus maintains a leadership role in opening up the general aviation market in China, especially in the last three years with intensive and collaborative work with the Chinese FAA, other central government offices and many local governments – as well as with our customers and the companies that operate GA aircraft in China.

We at Cirrus are very pleased to welcome Scott into the worldwide family of pilots – and especially into the family of Cirrus pilots. Congratulations Scott, from all of us at Cirrus.

Courtesy of WKRC in Cincinnati.  WATCH THE VIDEO

IDABEL, Okla. (AP) — Two Cincinnati men escaped injury when the parachute-equipped airplane they were flying lost power and crash-landed in southeastern Oklahoma.

"One of the EMS people I believe asked me if I wanted my photo with the plane and so I said, sure."

Charles Miller had a smile on his face at a time when some people would've been flipping out. Miller and another man walked away from a plane crash in Oklahoma with no problem. "The landing gear all broke off and that helped us some too. I think at least one of the wings got bent up enough to where it was a little bit of a fuel leak and just get away from the plane."
 
Miller is a Cincinnati lawyer and he was on business in Dallas. He and another local attorney were flying back together Monday afternoon in this small single engine plane. The other lawyer -- Charles Reynolds -- was piloting. About an hour into their flight -- at 11000 feet -- something went wrong. "It was a pretty loud noise, maybe a puff of smoke that came from maybe between the engine and the propeller blade. We're nosing toward some trees probably about 500 feet off the ground at which point the pilot announces, "I'm going to deploy the chute." And I briefly thought to myself, "chute?"
 
A company called Cirrus makes the plane. The parachute system is standard on all Cirrus planes. Miller never heard of it before the crash but, he credits the safety system with saving their lives. "If you've ever parachuted before once the parachute fully opens you get a jerk. We got the jerk as we were hitting the ground. So it just slowed us down enough and in the nick of time."
 
The FAA is now investigating to see what went wrong that caused the plane crash.

Miller tells us - the first thing he did after the crash - he went to buy a beer and a bunch of lottery tickets.

Cirrus Aircraft Market Share Remains at Historic High and Cirrus Shipments Lead Its Market Category

On August 4, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its second quarter shipment and billings report. While total general aviation (GA) airplane shipments fell 9.8 percent, billings for general aviation airplanes rose 0.2 percent. This is the second consecutive quarter that industry billings have increased. 

Cirrus Aircraft performed more favorably than the overall industry trend. For the six-month period ending June 30, 2010, Cirrus shipments were up to 127 versus 121 for the same period in 2009, representing five percent growth vs. the overall industry’s nearly ten percent decline.

READ MORE:  Media Alert 8-17-2010.pdf (174.08 kb)

Are you interested in flying the SR20?  For a limited time, four SR20's will tour the U.S., giving you the opportunity to fly this spectacular aircraft. Your well equipped SR20 starts at only $337,900 and comes wrapped in the most sophisticated, luxurious package available in its class. You will not want to miss this.

Contact your Sales Director to see the SR20 in a city near you.

Purchase any Cirrus Aircraft for delivery by 9.30.2010 and you will receive the following included at no charge:

• The best available engine warranty in the industry - 5 years parts + 5 years labor + 2 years accessories*
• 3rd year airframe warranty
• Perspective ESP™
• Plus, see your Sales Director for special pricing on demo aircraft and other limited time offers.

*Some rules and restrictions apply and the standard TCM warranty is 3/3/2.  Contact your Sales Director for details.

Available now at Cirrus Connection

The all new Bose® A20™ aviation headset!

• Designed to deliver significantly better noise reduction in even louder environments
• Provides greater comfort and stability, with more room for your ears
• Auxiliary audio input for GPS and other devices
• Flexible power option
• Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity
• Meets or exceeds all FAA and JAA TSO requirements

The Bose® A20 aviation headset is their most advanced pilot headset yet. Its breakthrough innovations reduce more noise and provide even greater comfort than previous models, without compromising the clear audio you expect from Bose. Plus, the A20 Aviation Headset now includes auxiliary audio input and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Next-generation pilot headset
More than 20 years ago, Bose introduced active noise reducing headsets to aviation—and launched an entire industry. Year after year, pilots have made Bose headsets their #1 preference. Now, the A20 aviation headset introduces an entirely new standard.

Enjoy a quieter flight
Proprietary technologies in the A20 aviation headset reduce more noise than ever before, across the full spectrum of human hearing, in even louder environments. Advanced electronics now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more ambient sound.

Improved Bose ear cushion technology helps further reduce unwanted noise
New cushion materials block more sound before it enters the earcups, providing an even quieter headset experience.

And even greater comfort
The A20 aviation headset also provides a new level of comfort and stability. The overall headset profile is more compact, but the earcup cavity has been enlarged to allow more room for the ears. These proprietary cushions improve the earcups' acoustic seals, even over eye glasses, and remain comfortable during long flights. The solid magnesium headband is extremely durable, yet lightweight, and its sheepskin cushion eliminates hot spots.

All these improvements have been achieved without increasing the headset's weight or clamping force.
The A20 headset weighs just 12 ounces and exerts significantly less clamping force than most active headsets.

AUX IN and Bluetooth technology convenience
The redesigned control module now includes an auxiliary audio input with Intercom/AUX priority switching. Many pilots will want to use this input for dedicated GPS and traffic warning systems. You can set audio priority to mute the AUX input completely when intercom signal is detected, or to simply lower the AUX volume appropriately.
Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity allows you to receive calls wirelessly while wearing the A20 headset. And its enhanced EMI protection helps minimize interference from the mobile phone. Plus, the headset's integrated sidetone provides a more natural feel to Bluetooth phone conversations, even when you're disconnected from the intercom.

Smart power control
The power system in the A20 aviation headset includes a smart shutoff feature that helps provide at least 45 hours of use from just two AA alkaline batteries. With the installed version of the headset, the technology intelligently switches from aircraft power to battery power as needed.

For all types of aircraft
The A20 aviation headset is available in an installed, aircraft-powered version and in portable, battery-powered versions for various craft, including helicopters.

Flexible power option
Through the use of an accessory adapter, you can easily convert from 6 pin, aircraft power to battery powered, 2 pin, GA plugs for those times you want to fly in a plane that does not have a 6 pin, aircraft power jack.

Features

• Significantly improved noise reduction across a wider range of frequencies. Proprietary Bose innovations now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more ambient aircraft noise.
• Redesigned ear cushions deliver greater comfort using new materials. More compact earcups now have a larger interior cavity, allowing more room for the ears; redistribution of headset weight also helps improve overall comfort and stability.
• Enhanced center torsion spring on magnesium headband provides a consistent, comfortable fit for any size head—with significantly less clamping force than most pilot headsets.
• TriPort® acoustic headset structure, available only from Bose, produces tonally balanced audio from relatively small and lightweight headphones.
• Active equalization electronically tunes the headphones' frequency response, enabling outstanding audio performance.
• Adjustable powered microphone can be connected to either earcup and set in a range of stable positions for optimal communications.
• Auxiliary audio input on redesigned control module for connection to GPS and other devices. Pushbutton Intercom/AUX enables priority switching.
• Bluetooth phone connectivity lets you take calls wirelessly through the headset.
• Enhanced EMI protection to minimize communications interference.
• Integrated sidetone for more natural sounding intercom and mobile communications.
• Smart shutoff for extended battery life. Installed headsets also feature a flexible power system to automatically switch from aircraft power to battery power as needed.
• Ergonomic control module has been redesigned for greater ease of use. Includes contoured grip and streamlined interface with high-contrast icons on main controls.
• Custom carrying case helps protect headset during storage and transport.
• TSO certified by FAA/JAA to meet performance standards for headsets used on civil aircraft. Made in the US, it also meets RTCA/DO-160D and DO-214 environmental requirements.
• Five-year transferable limited warranty covers parts, labor and second-day return shipping expenses for non-abuse malfunctions.

Order yours today!

See the brochure:  BOSE A20 Brochure.pdf (1.24 mb)

Delta Connection Academy (DCA) announced today it has now become a Cirrus Training Center (CTC). This designation allows DCA to provide training to Cirrus owners that has not been available in other Cirrus Training Center locations. Utilizing the aircraft and an FAA certified Level 6 Flight Training Device DCA can provide training that is not available anywhere else in the world.

Delta connection press release 7-10.pdf (29.91 kb)

Congratulations and Welcome to our friends at Delta Connection Academy!

Today Cirrus Aircraft announced the availability of Perspective ESP, a revolutionary safety and flight stability augmentation system by Garmin that will be available on Cirrus SR-Series Aircraft for new orders scheduled for Fall 2010 delivery. The key feature for Perspective ESP is that the system operates when the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot has been disengaged, that is when hand-flying. Perspective ESP operates in the background and if the pilot becomes incapacitated, disoriented or distracted, the system uses the digital autopilot servos and sensors to detect and help correct unsafe flight conditions. After it senses things are back to normal, it goes back into the background. Similar systems of this sophistication and capability were previously available only the world’s most advanced and most expensive ‘fly-by-wire’ business and military jets.

ESP Brochure.pdf (4.63 mb)

Pat Waddick, Cirrus Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer commented, “At Cirrus Aircraft, enhancing flight safety is the most fundamental driver of the design of our aircraft and of every business decision we make. Since the beginning Cirrus has provided the most complete array of active and passive safety systems and features in general aviation. Our multi-layered approach to safety includes a cuffed wing, built-in roll cage, side yoke, 26G seats, airbag seatbelts, the ‘blue level button’ and of course the game-changing whole airframe parachute system CAPS^TM just to name a few of the innovations that put pilot and passenger safety first. We believe that Perspective ESP is not just the next safety feature and pilot benefit in that list, but instead an enhancement as important as the parachute itself. That’s why we have worked closely with Garmin to be the first and to date only airplane in our class to offer it.”

Waddick continued, “The safety benefits of Perspective ESP are profound. Loss of control is the number one cause of flying accidents. Now with Perspective ESP, pilot workload is further reduced as you have all the power and capability of the most advanced cockpit in general aviation to actively monitor and safeguard against unusual airspeeds and attitudes, entry into stalls/spins, or the onset of other potentially unsafe flight situations. Not only will ESP alert you to the severity of the situation, but it can also provide active feedback and ‘soft’ flight control inputs to recover the plane back to normal flight. It is truly an order of magnitude advance in technology for the GA cockpit.”

Key components and features of the Perspective ESP system are:

• Enhances safety by providing electronic stability and protection for aircraft being hand-flown
• Activates whenever the airplane exceeds one or more flight parameters
• Uses autopilot servos and sensors, yet operates when the autopilot is turned off
• Helps correct excessive pitch attitude, roll attitude, or airspeed 
• ESP augments pilot vigilance: Assists, but does not take control
• Can be overridden by the pilot at any time
• Increases corrective pressure as exceedances move beyond safe limits
• Gently returns the aircraft to stable, straight-and-level flight
• Operates unobtrusively and simulates aircraft’s natural flight stability
• Can be temporarily turned off for training or flights where extreme maneuvering is anticipated.

Effective immediately, Perspective ESP is available - at no additional charge - on all Cirrus Aircraft ordered with the Garmin GFC700 autopilot and the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics suite by September 30, 2010. Final certification is currently underway with system installation via a software update anticipated in Fall 2010 for aircraft ordered today.

For more information visit cirrusaircraft.com or visit the Cirrus Aircraft display at EAA AirVenture 2010 and speak with a company representative.

Today Cirrus Aircraft announced a range of new software upgrades to its innovative Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics suite, adding even more functionality and ease of use to the most capable cockpit in GA today.

Jon Dauplaise, Cirrus Vice President of Domestic Sales, noted the importance of the new features. “The Cirrus Perspective by Garmin cockpit is already the most intuitive, feature-rich, and pilot-friendly avionics system available in GA. Class-leading innovations include the largest 12” PFD and MFD screens, 3-D synthetic vision (SynVis), alphanumeric keypad for data entry, the ‘blue level’ button for enhanced pilot and passenger safety, GFC700 digital autopilot and digital flight control servos, integrated Flight Into Known Icing system capability and more.”

Dauplaise continued, “As advanced as the current Perspective system is, we have listened to our owners and operators and today have a new set of features and benefits to add to Perspective that offer even more capability, further pilot workload reduction and simplified operation. The Cirrus and Garmin engineering teams continue to impress us with these new features that leverage the unique and powerful integrated systems and technology of the Perspective platform.”

Key components of the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin software upgrade include:

• Underspeed Protection on the Autopilot: If currently selected mode will result in unsafe low speeds, the autopilot will depart the selected vertical flight path and maintain one that preserves stall margin 
• Coupled Go-Around: The autopilot will not disconnect at go around but instead will preserve stall margin if insufficient power or performance are available, i.e. the Underspeed Protection mode above. 
• Hypoxia Check/Automated Descent Mode (ADM):  Hypoxia recognition and automated altitude step-down recovery in the case of an unresponsive pilot
• FMS User Interface changes: Simplified navigation in the flight plan page 
• Metar Flags on MFD Map and FPL page 
• “Banana Bar” for selected altitude intercept: Depiction on the MFD of the current decent or climb rate where on the altitude selected will be intercepted
• Flight Plan Profile View on MFD: Display of terrain, obstacles and winds aloft within ±3500’ of aircraft altitude.

This latest software upgrade of the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics system- when ordered with the Garmin GFC700 autopilot – is included on orders placed today.  Final certification is currently underway with system installation via a software update anticipated in Fall 2010. Current owners of Cirrus Perspective by Garmin equipped SR-Series aircraft can also upgrade their systems at that time.

For more information visit cirrusaircraft.com or visit the Cirrus Aircraft display at EAA AirVenture and speak with a company representative.