Cirrus Aircraft News

For those that joined us at Airventure just a few weeks ago, you may recall the new Cirrus video that captivated the crowd during the show.  Now available online, watch the popular Cirrus Airwaves video here.

Cirrus CEO Brent Wouters talks to Wired.com about Cirrus' successes in the non-pilot marketplace.  Wouters explains, "...whether you're in business, or an individual, this [Cirrus airplane] changes your life.  It changes the way you live."  He goes on to say that some 30 percent of airplanes purchased in the last several years are by individuals with no previous aviation experience.  Read the full article.

In an article in the latest edition of AOPA Pilot, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is explained in terms of the benefits available for purchasing a new general aviation airplane.  The article explains how "...owners who use their aircraft in business can apply a bonus depreciation provision to offset taxable income."  Read the full article here.

To calculate how your new Cirrus may qualify for accelerated depreciation, use our online calculator or contact your Cirrus Sales Director today. Act before September 30 for a significant additional benefit.

In a recent article in Aviation Week, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) recognizes a significant shift in business aircraft use to single engine aircraft and single pilot operations.  Further, NBAA is planning strong support for this growing segment at the NBAA annual meeting and convention in Orlando this October.

The article states: "A lot of companies are relying on airplanes that are capable of being flown single pilot," said NBAA CEO and President Ed Bolen during a conference call this morning. "Companies are using everything from the [Cirrus] SR22 to the Pilatus and the light jets." He says that company executives and professionals who operate their own airplanes are a key part of business aviation.

Single engine Cirrus Aircraft are exceptional business tools.  "For those businesses with regional travel needs, the Cirrus makes perfect sense.  The complications and schedule limitations of airline travel or the time commitment of car travel do not afford businesses the competitive edge that the versatility of personal air travel does," says Todd Simmons, Vice President of Marketing of Cirrus Aircraft and Cirrus pilot.  "Time is the new currency.  For our business owners, regional travel in a Cirrus is a way of life and an irreplaceable asset that makes a real difference to the bottom line."

Additionally, the tax and depreciation benefits of aircraft ownership - made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - make the value proposition of aircraft ownership for business use stronger than it has ever been.

Read the full article at Aviation Week here.

Sunday, August 16, 2009, Cirrus CEO Brent Wouters took his two sons to the PGA Championship in Chaska, MN.  They arrived in time to watch Y.E. Yang and Tiger Woods finish their warm ups on the driving range and move to the practice tee just beside the first tee.  As it rained they watched the Yang/Woods pair tee off before proceeding to their bleacher seats on the 15th hole.

As you may know, Mr. Yang eagled hole #14, then hit his drive in the fairway on hole #15, and proceeded to par the hole.  After he holed out, he turned and threw his ball into the bleachers at #15.  “It went over my head - I never even stood up - but it bounced off of a couple people, over my shoulder and into my hands,” described Brent Wouters.  “The cameras were already there, and the camera man asked me to show him the ball.  My mug appeared on TV and then the phone started ringing.  I had 10 emails, 9 texts, and 5 voice mails before I got to the car, and since then I have had about 100 others contact me to let me know that they saw me.”

Congratulations Brent…for scoring such a cool souvenir!  WATCH the video here.

Cirrus is proud to display the world's best-selling, single engine piston aircraft, and the Cirrus Vision full-size jet mock-up at this year's Reno Air Races, September 16-20, 2009.  The Reno Air Races includes five days of real air racing by six classes of airplanes.  The Air Races are held at Reno Stead Field, about eight miles north of Reno, NV.

In addition, National Aerobatic Champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Patty Wagstaff, will perform at the event.  You won't want to miss her breath-taking aerobatic performance.  

Please note:  Cirrus Aircraft are on static display during the event, not participating in the Air Races.

Looking for the very latest on the Cirrus Vision SF50?  READ HERE.

Even with the pressure on the current general aviation new aircraft market, Cirrus Aircraft saw significant share growth on a substantial rise in airplane deliveries in the second quarter versus the first quarter. 

“While the overall market remains very challenging and is at significantly contracted levels versus a year ago, we saw several bright spots in the second quarter GAMA delivery data” said Todd Simmons, Vice President of Marketing at Cirrus. “We have made substantial product improvements across our product line - SR20, SR22 and TURBO - in just the last 12 months. With this latest industry delivery information, the market is clearly showing its preference for new Cirrus Aircraft.”

Read the entire release here.

Chartis (formerly known as AIG) Light Aviation Division (LAD) today announced the waiver of the applicable in-motion deductible up to a maximum of $1,000 on light aviation insurance policies for damage to aircraft resulting from an emergency in-flight deployment of the recovery parachute.

“This is a critical new benefit for pilots who operate aircraft equipped with a recovery parachute system,” said Greg Sterling, Vice President and Division Manager of LAD. “In the interest of aviation safety, we want to eliminate any chance that a pilot might hesitate in deploying the recovery parachute in an emergency because of insurance or financial implications,” Mr. Sterling said.

Prior to this deductible waiver, aircraft owners who deployed the parachute system in an effort to minimize injury, prevent loss of life or save the aircraft from greater damage were responsible for 100% of their deductible. This new waiver applies to all general aviation aircraft equipped with an aircraft recovery parachute system, including our popular Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft.

Cirrus Aircraft Co-Founder Dale Klapmeier noted the significance of this announcement as further validation of a safety system fundamental to Cirrus Aircraft. "We commend Chartis for its innovative thinking and for its recognition of the importance of this critical safety feature. We engineered the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS™) into our aircraft from the very beginning. With more than 3.1 million total hours to date on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft fleet of more than 4,500 aircraft, 18 CAPS deployments resulting in 35 lives saved speaks volumes about its importance. Cirrus is the only certified airplane with the parachute as standard equipment, and this unique new benefit announced today by Chartis further enhances the experience for Cirrus Aircraft customers and pilots," Mr. Klapmeier commented.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation President Bruce Landsberg also praised the announcement adding "Aircraft equipped with recovery parachutes provide pilots with an additional tool to reduce or prevent injury, and we applaud Chartis for encouraging pilots to use the parachute without fear of financial loss."

Aircraft owners can contact the Light Aircraft Division at 800.523.5266 or lad-e@chartisinsurance.com, or their aviation insurance professional for more information.

Cirrus Aircraft today named Patrick Waddick the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Waddick served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Cirrus.

Brent Wouters, Cirrus Aircraft President and CEO, commented, "For many years now Pat's significant contributions to Cirrus have been instrumental to our success. Time and again Pat has delivered on-budget and on-schedule results within our major development and manufacturing programs. As COO, his increased role and scope of responsibility come at an ideal time as we transition the Vision Jet from strictly an Research and Development project into detailed design and initial preparation for serial production. It's fair to say that the entire Cirrus Aircraft community - our customers, employees, shareholders and partners - are going to benefit from Pat's leadership in his new position."   

Pat joined Cirrus in 1988 contributing on the VK30 composite pusher-configuration aircraft. Transitioning to ST50 Project Engineering Manager, Pat led a joint Cirrus/Israeli design team through to early flight testing stages. Later as Director of Engineering, Pat was instrumental in the development and certification of the SR20 and SR22. Pat was named Vice President of Engineering in 1997 and promoted to Senior Vice President, of Engineering in 2005.

Since September of 2008, Pat has served as Executive Vice President, Operations where he leads the Customer Support, Manufacturing Operations, Quality and Process Engineering, and Supply Chain organizations. As Chief Operating Officer, Pat's expanded role now includes oversight of both Product Development in addition to the Operations functions previously mentioned. Now with direct oversight of both Engineering and Manufacturing at Cirrus, organizational resources will be better optimized as several key development projects co-locate within core operations. 

In accepting the appointment to his newest role Waddick commented, "this is a great team that does great things, so this expanded role is a privilege. I am and always will be obsessed with airplanes and flying. Having been part of the early roots of this company I care deeply about the customer, our people, and the product. The drive and spirit of innovation is alive and well at Cirrus and, while we've accomplished some incredible things in the past, the future is even more compelling."

Mr. Waddick received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Wisconsin School of Engineering in 1989. Pat also has extensive hands-on experience with aircraft construction and assembly having worked with many early Cirrus prototypes as well as completion of an experimental 2-place aircraft. Prior to joining Cirrus, he was an engineer with IBM Corporation. In 2004, he was the recipient of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Program Management. 

An active Private Pilot since 1988, Pat holds an instrument rating and is currently a member of AOPA, EAA and AIAA.