Minnesota Governor Visits Cirrus Design | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-10.06.25

AirborneNextGen-
10.07.25

Airborne-Unlimited-10.08.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-10.09.25

AirborneUnlimited-10.10.25

Wed, Jan 08, 2003

Minnesota Governor Visits Cirrus Design

Takes SR22 Flight

Alan and Dale Klapmeier have hosted hundreds, if not thousands, of people through ANN Sponsor Cirrus Design headquarters in Duluth (MN). On January 2nd, things were a bit different -- sun-glassed security guards and Minnesota State Troopers showed up, along with an entourage of TV cameras, photographers and reporters.

What was going on? Did somebody make a joke going through airport security? Did a Cirrus employee mistakenly offer a little kid some candy? Was (retired governor) Jesse Ventura looking for a job?

None of the above, but even better: Minnesota's new governor, Tim Pawlenty (top, holding model airplane, facing Alan Klapmeier), stopped in Duluth specifically to visit Cirrus Design. As part of a two-day state tour, the newly-elected Pawlenty was seeking information on businesses he believes to be significant in their contribution in employment potential and the state's economy.

Following a meeting with Governor Pawlenty, Alan Klapmeier, President and Co-Founder commented, "Certainly it was good that we could meet, and have a face to face discussion regarding the impending growth of Cirrus and what the Governor can do to facilitate that growth." 

Governor Pawlenty then toured the facility, including the newly-opened Customer Service Center, and spoke to a large group of employees.

During the speech, he thanked the employees for their good work and efforts that contributed to the success of Cirrus. He also thanked Alan and Dale Klapmeier for their foresight in creating a new aircraft, bringing it to the market, and the associated risks they took to make it happen.

The gov flies...

It was thought the Governor would not have time to fly a Cirrus. However, but upon his arrival and seeing the aircraft on the ramp he was over heard saying, "Cool plane, I hope I can fly one." Much to the surprise of his staff, he managed to do just that (above). It was no surprise to those at Cirrus -- except that he flew it pretty well [and he's not actually a pilot, though there was a CFII in the right seat --ed.]

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 10.14.25: Laser Threat, VeriJet BK, Duffy Threatens Problem Controllers

Also: USAF Pilots, Atlanta Tower Evac, Archer Spotlight Dissipates, Hop-A-Jet Sues A social-media call for people to point lasers at aircraft flying over Portland’s ICE facil>[...]

Airborne 10.15.25: Phantom 3500 Confounds, Citation CJ3 Gen2 TC, True Blue Power

Also: Kodiak 100 Joins USFS, Innovative Solutions & Support Renamed, Gulfstream Selects Honeywell, Special Olympics Airlift The Phantom 3500 mockup made an appearance where the>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (10.17.25)

"On the way back to the United States from NATO’s Defense Ministers meeting, Secretary of War Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-28-180

Pilot Was Transporting His Family Back To Their Home In Boise And He Planned To Fly Back To SHR That Afternoon On September 1, 2025 about 1612 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28>[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC