Cirrus Clarifies Much-Rumored Position On New Jet Powered Airframe

Cirrus Design Corp. announced at the Aircraft Owner and Pilot's Association Expo a concept for a new jet-powered aircraft.

But... is it a Very Light Jet (VLJ)?

CIRRUS says, "no" according to Alan Klapmeier, president and CEO of CIRRUS, who believes that there is a growing market for an easy-to-operate, low-cost, possibly even single engine jet aircraft.

"Call it a personal jet."

To optimize success, Klapmeier says, such an aircraft would cost less than $1 million and would, of course, be equipped with the company's signature safety device, the CIRRUS Airframe Parachute System.

Dale Klapmeier, executive vice president and co-founder emphasized CIRRUS' idea of a personal jet will be an airplane designed around the pilot.

"Easy for the pilot to fly, easy to operate in all environments, and just like the CIRRUS SR22, this airplane will be designed so that everyone on board will enjoy the experience."

The Klapmeiers believe this emerging class of personal jet is between high-performance single-engine flight and what is now the new market sector, known as Very Light Jets. In fact, the personal jet would actually complement the VLJ class. This new mode of transportation follows the company's philosophy to grow the personal aviation industry.

Over the coming months, more details will emerge around the CIRRUS personal jet. While stopping short of identifying a specific product plan, the Klapmeiers suggested the personal jet is just the kind of leading edge concept to be expected from the minds of Cirrus Design.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com