Duluth Planemaker Plans Single-Engine Jet

While Cirrus is still staying mum on concrete details of their upcoming single-engine jet program, ANN has learned that Cirrus has selected an engine supplier. CEO Alan Klapmeier says Williams' FJ33 fills the bill perfectly for "The Jet" -- that's what Cirrus has been calling it since it doesn't have a name for its Personal Jet... yet.

Klapmeier told ANN, "Safety is important to us at Cirrus, along with providing our owners with high customer value."

The engine, specifically the FJ33-4A-19, makes 1900 pounds thrust with a total weight of 300 pounds.

"Being chosen to power the-jet by CIRRUS is confirmation of the large increase in customer value that this newest version of our FJ33 offers to the marketplace," said Gregg Williams, president and CEO of Williams International. "The new FJ33-4A-19 produces about 1900 lbs of takeoff thrust, still weighs less than 300 lbs, is extremely efficient, and will have the lowest noise and exhaust emissions levels in the industry."

Klapmeier said, "The reliability record of the Williams FJ family was a critical factor in partnering with Williams. We also considered thrust-to-weight, and the availability of excellent customer service for owners as part of out decision making."

"Thrust-to-weight and fuel economy are two sides of the efficiency coin," according to Matt Huff, vice president of Business Development for Williams. "The FJ33 excels at both. Cirrus takes advantage of this unique combination to yield aircraft characteristics that we believe will have a major impact on the personal aviation marketplace."

Advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the turbine industry include: blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). Williams' engines also are modular in design, allowing quick assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

This is the same engine family chosen by ATG for its twin Javelin jet, and by Adam for its A700 twin jet. Cessna also uses the FJ series in a number of its jets.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com, www.williams-int.com