Aero-News learned this week that Cirrus Design Corp. signed a new international partnership with Sunland Aviation of Brisbane, Australia. The agreement allows Sunland Aviation, a subsidiary of "Cirrus Australasia", to perform the reassembly of Cirrus aircraft sold in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Rim.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Cirrus Australasia," said John M. Bingham, Cirrus Executive Vice-President of Sales & Marketing. "Our confidence in the company and it's highly respected Cirrus trained staff, create a sound basis for our second reassembly operation outside the United States."

Under terms of the agreement, all Cirrus aircraft will continue to be assembled at the company headquarters in Minnesota, and will carry a US airworthiness certificate. All Aussie-bound planes will then be partially dismantled at the Cirrus plant, and shipped to Australia within a custom container designed specifically for Cirrus.

"In January 2006, Cirrus pioneered the reassembly concept with the United Kingdom's only specialized commercial airplane manufacturer, Britten-Norman," Bingham added. "After the ease and success of that joint venture, which calls for the reassembly and delivery of 100 aircraft each year for European customers, the natural next step is to expand to our partners in Australasia. We are optimistic about similar success with Sunland and our ability to better serve pilots and owners in this important region."

Steve Maltby, Director of Cirrus Australasia, said "Unlike other aviation companies I have worked with, Cirrus has a different approach. We are a part of the worldwide Cirrus family. We are treated with integrity and have received unparalleled training and the highest level of support in setting up this reassembly operation in Australia."

"We have already delivered our first Australian assembled aircraft to a customer and the process was smooth and successful. We are projecting 25 aircraft over the course of the next year and are confident we will meet that goal," concluded Maltby (above, right).

Currently, Cirrus Australasia maintains and sells Cirrus aircraft, along with providing training for both pilots and maintenance personnel within the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Cirrus manufactures the SR20 and SR22 personal aviation aircraft that provide unprecedented levels of performance, quality and safety. The composite airplanes incorporate innovative advanced technologies into the design, including the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS™).

Cirrus has a direct sales force in North America with sales centers across South America, Europe, China, Australasia, South Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Russia.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com