Lionel Morrison's Restored SR22 Is At PHL!

The first one hundred years of powered flight is littered with colorful accounts of historic events, technological milestones and heroes from all walks of life who accomplished the extraordinary. Hundreds of men and women and numerous innovative companies have pushed the envelope to secure their place in aviation history.

On October 3, 2002, 99 years into the first century of flight, a Cirrus aircraft made history when it became the first FAA-certified general aviation aircraft to deploy a ballistic recovery system to prevent an accident. The historic event silenced the skeptics forever as it validated the Cirrus vision that a safer general aircraft was possible. Lionel Morrison was the first benefactor of the innovative technology known as CAPS (Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System) when his aircraft became disabled on a post-maintenance flight and he opted to deploy the parachute rather than risk a conventional landing.

After returning the airframe and occupant safely to Earth, the Cirrus aircraft was fitted with a new CAPS, repainted to its original splendor, returned to airworthy status and is flying again today.  In fact, the historic Cirrus SR22 aircraft, N1223S, was flown to Philadelphia and is on display this week at the AOPA Expo static display at the Philadelphia International Airport.

Demonstration flights of new Cirrus aircraft are being offered daily during the AOPA Expo. Cirrus invites all pilots and future pilots to visit the display.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com