Cirrus Sought by International Customers

Cirrus has gone "Kiwi." Cirrus Design delivered its first SR22 airplane to a New Zealand customer. Cirrus airplanes, now numbering more than 700 being flown, are sought after worldwide for their high performance engineering and safety features. Currently, the company sells approximately 15 percent of its aircraft outside of the U.S. including Canada, South America, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, and throughout Europe.

Cirrus SR22 owner Stuart Clumpas at Ardmore Airport. A contract ”ferry” pilot delivered the plane to Clumpas flying from Hayward CA to Hilo, HI to Christmas Island (Kiribati Archipelago) to Pago Pago (American Samoa) then onto Auckland International. The longest leg was 14.5 hours non-stop to Hilo with 20kt headwinds (forecast 10kt). Currently displaying the US registration number, the plane will go on the New Zealand register as ZK-STU.

In the summer of 1994, Cirrus Design introduced the prototype for what would later become its first FAA Certified production airplane, the SR20, creating a wave of excitement within the general aviation industry. In 2000, Cirrus introduced the SR22, an aircraft that utilizes the aerodynamic flying qualities of the SR20 while adding speed and performance.

Both aircraft feature composite construction and advanced aerodynamics. The planes also incorporate flat-panel, multi-function display technology and state-of-the-art safety innovations, including a revolutionary Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). CAPS is standard equipment on all Cirrus aircraft, which are the only certified production aircraft to employ a ballistic parachute system.

Cirrus airplanes are designed for personal transportation and offer a roomy luxurious interior. By combining a high level of comfort, ease of operation, safety and performance into one airplane product, Cirrus believes its aircracft are revitalizing general aviation. They are generally considered the next generation of personal aviation, "the new technology aircraft."

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com