What Kind Of Plane Does Patty Wagstaff Fly?

by Aero-News Senior Correspondent Kevin R.C. O'Brien

If you said, "Extra 300," you're half right -- Patty will be pleasing her fans on the airshow circuit this year in her familiar Extra 300S. But between shows she'll travel in style in her new ride -- A Cirrus SR22-G2.

Like many airshow pilots who fly demanding aircraft, Patty has an assistant ferry the aerobatic monoplane from one show venue to the next. She flies a "traveling" plane -- and now she's got one of the sweetest cross-country rides the industry offers. And hers is not just any G2, but a pretty special one: the 2,000th plane that Cirrus manufactured.

When introducing Wagstaff, Dale Klapmeier of Cirrus told the press: "I hope everybody saw the aerobatic performance at the airshow yesterday? Pretty easy to see what the best part of that was? I was holding the pole for Patty Wagstaff when she cut the ribbon. That should be the headline today! 'I held the pole!'" Dale said with a grin. (As you see, we took him up on his dare. I bet he doesn't try that again soon). It only took a moment for Dale to get serious, though.

"We are really excited to announce that we are sponsoring Patty Wagstaff's airplane. This is something that absolutely thrills us." Dale went on to describe how it all started. Cirrus's Kate Dougherty told Dale, "Patty flew the plane."

"Wow, that's cool," Dale said.

"Oh, but there's more," Kate said. "She really liked it."

"Wow, Patty liked it!"

"Oh, but there's more," Kate said. "She wants one."

"THAT's cool!" Dale enthused. "She wanted our airplane, which started the whole relationship...."

After explaining that Patty would get the 2,000th airplane, which is on display this week in the front of Cirrus's booth at Airventure, Dale said, "What she means to aviation is what we're after: safety in flight, and the fun of aviation... she's the epitome of all these things."

"Most of you know, I really like airplanes with performance," Patty Wagstaff said. "And this is what drew me to Cirrus in the first place." About Dale's story of how she came to the negotiating table with the Duluth, Minnesota manufacturer? "It's true what Dale says. I did fly the airplane recently. I was super impressed with it; I gave Cirrus a call; we started talking.... and I have to say I've watched Cirrus for a number of years... they're very leading-edge."

"I wasn't skeptical, I just watched. And I'm not a believer in buying first-generation anything. Whether it's a TV or a computer, I like to see it get proven a little bit." She praised many of the features of the Cirrus, especially its safety features, which she called "outstanding" and "extraordinary."

"The excitement, enthusiasm, and... passion of the company is very contagious."

The lively aerobatic ace, and former World Aerobatic Champion, is known for her dramatic, physical and stylish airshow routine, and she's one of the most effective spokeswomen that aerial sports have ever put in front of the public, and certainly the most sought-after endorser in aviation, period.

Everybody has always wanted to fly with Patty Wagstaff. Until today, though, it wasn't just to get their hands on her G2.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com, www.pattywagstaff.com