The founders of Cirrus had a dream to design affordable airplanes of the highest quality. Today their models are among best selling airplanes in their class.
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Cirrus Design Corporation was founded in 1984 with a dream "to design and build affordable airplanes that deliver greater control, more comfort, and unprecedented levels of safety". Indeed, they succeeded: today, Cirrus is the world's leading innovator of single-engine, piston-powered aircraft. In fact, for the last five years SR22 has been the world's best selling airplane in its class.
The company is revitalizing general aviation by designing and building affordable personal aircraft that are safer, more comfortable and easier to operate. Cirrus Design began in 1984 as a kit airplane design and manufacturing company in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The first airplane, the VK-30, became an inspiration for developing technologically advanced production aircraft.
In 1994, Cirrus Design moved headquarters to larger facilities in Duluth, Minnesota, and began research and development of the SR20, a four-passenger, single-engine composite aircraft. In 1995, the company was contracted by Israviation to develop, design and build the "proof of concept" prototype of the turboprop ST50. A year later, it manufactured the fuselage, wings and tail section of a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) for the U.S. Department of Defense, using composite technology in all three components.
The SR20, with composite construction and advanced aerodynamics, was awarded FAA Type Certification in 1998. It incorporates flat-panel, multi-function display technology and state-of-the-art safety innovations, including a final level of protection known as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
Cirrus Design added more speed and performance to the SR20's formidable flying qualities and created our next generation model – the SR22. It was FAA certified in 2000 and is today the industry's best selling model. In April of 2007, Generation Three of the SR22 made its debut and shook up the General Aviation industry yet again. With nearly 700 changes and systems improvements, the SR22-G3 represents the culmination of virtually everything Cirrus Design has learned about engineering and design since we first opened our hangar doors.
Today, Cirrus Design has more than 950 talented workers dedicated to delivering airplanes that fly beyond your expectations. If you haven't already experienced the Cirrus difference, we invite you to request a complimentary demo flight. Bring your check book with you. ■