Cirrus Aircraft News

Cirrus Aircraft would like to wish all our friends around the world a very Happy New Year!

Click here to see where 2010 has already arrived.

MEMORANDUM

To:     All Employees
From: Brent Wouters, President & CEO
Date:  December 22, 2009
Re:     Happy Holidays

I want to personally wish all Cirrus employees a Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season. Especially at this time of year I am well aware of the tremendous effort and sacrifices made by each of you and your families. We are truly thankful for your efforts. We will work diligently every day to achieve results that allow us to restore your sacrifices and reward our employees in the coming year. My thoughts are also with former Cirrus employees and their loved ones. Their presence and contributions are missed.

Because of your efforts, we have achieved an extraordinary turnaround at Cirrus. Late 2008 and 2009 involved many surprises and challenges yet our financial condition is strong today and continues to improve. More importantly, we have captured increased market share this year by improving our marketing and sales efforts both in the U.S. and around the world. Equally important, we have continued our investment in product innovation and our highest priority, the SF50 Vision Jet.

We are positioned well for 2010. While the coming year may not be easy and may present new challenges as the economy finds its foundation and strengthens, I know that our culture of innovation and resilience will help us adapt to any circumstance that we face. We have adjusted well to current lower airplane production, yet many large sales opportunities are in the works. I am optimistic about our prospects to win these sales opportunities, and I am confident with our current position if these take longer than expected to materialize.

You may have seen the stories about discussions we are having with the City of Grand Forks or Duluth. As is often the case, the media missed the most important reason for my recent visits to both: I was there to tell them personally that our business is strong and we are ready to work out a resolution to any past due amounts ‐ that's good news. You need not worry as Cirrus can and will meet all its obligations to our partners.

In closing, last week I received a note from a prospective airplane buyer after touring our plant, saying “The Cirrus factory was impressive to say the least. Both [my wife] and I have had the chance over the last 6 years to tour many manufacturing facilities and without a doubt the Cirrus facility shines above the rest. The friendly employees, the cleanliness and the overall energy throughout the building says quite a bit about your product and the way Cirrus conducts business.”

As you take a well deserved break, be reassured of our strength as we build on our great progress toward a very prosperous year in 2010.

Again, I wish you and yours peace and a very Merry Christmas.

Seasons Greetings!

The magic of the Holidays is in the air and 2010 is just around the bend. This is a perfect time to take a break from it all and reconnect with what you love – especially if that takes you 10,000 feet in the air with shining views of snow-white landscapes.

But whether your views are snow-filled, lush and green or warm and sandy, we at Cirrus Aircraft would like to wish you the brightest holiday season and all the best for 2010.

Way up here at Cirrus Headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota, there’s a lot of growing excitement for the year ahead. We’re working hard to make 2010 a great year. We know you won’t be disappointed.

Safe Flying,

Brent Wouters and the entire Cirrus Aircraft Team

Cirrus owner and pilot, Rick Beach, each year reports for the annual Safety Issue of Cirrus Pilot magazine.  Beach, the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) de facto accident historian, reports in thoughtful and factual detail about Cirrus aircraft accident statistics.

Among the data presented, Beach fully supports the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS^TM) stating, "CAPS works. Your Cirrus has one." and, "...every Cirrus pilot needs to learn how and when to use it."

Read Beach's article here.

Proud Cirrus owner, John Finley, celebrates his birthday in style with the perfect birthday cake:  an edible replica of his Cirrus SR22.  Read John's heartwarming history detailing his passion for flying, his company - Finley Fire Equipment and his Flying 2.0^TM enabled lifestyle thanks to his Cirrus!

John Finley Story.pdf (26.76 kb)

Happy Birthday John!

Cirrus Aircraft Maintains Share Leadership Position in Third Quarter
 
On November 4, 2009 the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry’s third quarter shipment and billings summary. Fluctuations continue in the general aviation new aircraft market yet Cirrus Aircraft maintained its strong share position with SR20, SR22 and TURBO. Through the first nine months of 2009, piston-powered GA airplane shipments stood at 679 units while total GA shipments were 1,587. Both figures represent significant declines from the same period last year.  

Overall Market Remains Contracted – Optimism Heading into Fourth Quarter

“In the third quarter, we continued to see the periodic variability in new aircraft sales that has been with us for the last 12 to 15 months. Obviously, the overall market remains quite contracted compared to several previous years” said Todd Simmons, Vice President of Marketing at Cirrus. “There were some notable bright spots in the figures for Cirrus.”   

GAMA Data Third Quarter 2009 Highlights and Notable Items: 

• In Q309, Cirrus shipped 68 aircraft. Through the end of Q309, Cirrus has shipped 189 total aircraft year-to-date. 
• As of Q309, for all Single Engine Piston Aircraft - Tricycle Gear, Cirrus Aircraft has 32 percent market share, representing a share increase in every quarter of 2009. In this category, this is Cirrus Aircraft’s highest market share position to date. 
• Through 3Q09 versus the same period a year ago, Cirrus Aircraft shipments are 3.5 percentage points ahead of the overall piston aircraft delivery rate. 
• Cirrus Aircraft maintained its market share leadership of nearly 60 percent through Q3’09 for all SR22 comparable aircraft.¹ 
• As of Q309, the Cirrus Aircraft SR22 (normally aspirated and TURBO) remains the best-selling model of SEP airplane for the seventh year in a row.  
• While not reported in GAMA data, sales of pre-owned Cirrus Aircraft through Cirrus Certifiedä – the Cirrus Aircraft pre-owned sales division – continue at a brisk pace. Through Q309, Cirrus Certified increased sales 51 percent versus the same three-quarter period in 2008. A total of 118 pre-owned Cirrus transactions had been conducted through the end of 3Q09, representing 40 more aircraft sales than through the same period than in 2008. 
   

Cirrus Aircraft a Smart Investment 

In publishing 3Q09 delivery data, GAMA Chairman Pete Bunce noted the importance of GA to successful businesses. “A recently released study shows the powerful connection between well-run companies and those that use business aviation. For example, Business Week magazine’s 2009 25 Best Customer Service Companies and the Corporate Responsibility Officer’s list of 2009 100 Best Corporate Citizens, both show that 90 percent of the identified S&P 500 companies are business aircraft users. For many small, medium and regional businesses, Cirrus Aircraft is providing safe, economical and efficient transportation solutions for owners and executives that previously relied solely on the airlines, larger turbine aircraft or automobile transportation for business travel.  Pete Agur, Jr. author of The Compelling Case for Business Aviation in the October 2009 issue of Business and Commercial Aviation noted the significance of high performance singles to small businesses in a companion study: The Economic Case for High Performance Single-Engine Piston Business Aircraft. Agur concludes, “The results of the analysis are dramatically clear. The economic benefit of using a high performance single-engine piston airplane for regional travel is compelling”.

Read entire article:  The Even More Compelling Case Agur.pdf (907.62 kb)

Cirrus Aircraft are an even stronger corporate transportation tool than previously with new product offerings and features, most notably Flight Into Known Icing protection for SR22 and TURBO models.  

Looking Ahead 

Approaching year-end, Cirrus sees early signs of recovery in both the traditional owner-flown market as well as in segments where previously Cirrus has been a quieter player - the regional and small businesses segments noted above.  Simmons concluded, “Our product enhancements for new aircraft, robust activity in our pre-owned business, and price discipline in both new and used markets are making a real difference. The latest GAMA numbers show it. Generous depreciation rules for 2009 domestically, the expiration of the VAT exemption in Europe at year-end and a recovering overall economy have the fourth quarter shaping up as the strongest quarter of 2009 for both orders and deliveries at Cirrus.”    

GAMA is an international trade association headquartered in Washington, DC representing 67 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities. For additional information, visit GAMA’s website.

Read More: GAMA Third Quarter Shipments 

Visit Cirrus Aircraft's website.

1  SR22/Turbo comparable aircraft includes the following four-seat aircraft:  182T Skylane, T182T Turbo Skylane, 350 Corvalis, 400 Corvalis TT, SR22, M20R Ovation, M20TN Acclaim.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has announced regulatory approval for Cirrus Aircraft's newest capability and innovation, Cirrus Known Ice Protection. Earlier this year, FAA approval was granted and new aircraft equipped with the optional system - both normally aspirated and TURBO piston aircraft - have been shipping to customers since January of 2009.
 
Pat Waddick, Cirrus Aircraft Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, noted the importance of flight into known icing capability to customers globally and the innovation in the design of the new Cirrus system. "Reliable, safe and efficient personal transportation is the hallmark of Cirrus Aircraft. Proper training and good decision-making are always essential for flight safety, and now with Cirrus Known Ice Protection, flying on marginal weather days or when icing forecasts might otherwise preclude travel are now possible. This robust system separates Cirrus Aircraft from others when it comes to getting the most capability for your personal aircraft investment."

The Cirrus Known Ice Protection system - allowing flight into known icing (FIKI) – utilizes the TKS™ weeping wing technology in laser-drilled panels on the leading edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical tail surfaces and the elevator horns. New high-intensity LED ice lights on both sides of the airplane illuminate the wing’s leading edges and tail surfaces through a unique prism lens. An automotive style nozzle distributes TKS fluid evenly onto the windshield and a traditional slinger-ring provides ice protection on the propeller. The pilot interface is equally as innovative as the Cirrus Known Ice Protection system seamlessly integrates with Cirrus Perspective by Garmin™ avionics on 12-inch screens by displaying key operating and system status information on the multi-function display (MFD) including protection system range and endurance. The TKS fluid capacity is up to a maximum of 8 gallons and various pilot selected flow rates allow de-icing fluid flow for up to 2.5 hours.

Ian Bentley, Vice President and Managing Director - International Sales commented, “This is likely the most extensively tested known ice protection package ever developed for general aviation. The certification program had the same icing envelope and followed similar testing protocols as business jets and airliners under FAR Part 25. Customers ordering new aircraft in 2009 have shown a very strong preference for the Cirrus Known Ice Protection option.” Bentley also added a word of caution, “As capable as the system is, Cirrus Known Ice Protection does not create an ‘all weather’ airplane – a perhaps overused term in aviation. Even airliners, military and corporate aircraft cancel flights for weather – particularly winter weather. A broad knowledge of weather operations, recurrent training and flight experience in your Cirrus is always necessary.”

Cirrus now offers additional support for pilots with an on-line “Icing Awareness” training program focused on the Cirrus Known Ice Protection equipped aircraft. This training is required for all Cirrus pilots prior to flying into forecast or known icing conditions and recommended for all pilots. Additionally, Cirrus will offer supplies of TKS fluid in volume (33 and 50-gallons) for purchase, shipped directly to you.  Both the training program and TKS fluid are available for purchase at http://www.cirrusconnection.com/.