Cirrus Aircraft Reports Strong Market Acceptance of the New Generation 5 SR22 and SR22T Aircraft

DULUTH, Minn., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft today announced that first quarter results confirm strong market preference for the new Generation 5 Cirrus Aircraft. The company delivered 51 aircraft in the first quarter of 2013, up 14 percent compared to the same period in 2012. The overall piston-powered aircraft market has shown about a 4 percent increase from 2012.

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1Q2013 GAMA Results: Cirrus maintains strong delivery pace and leads category market share.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry's first quarter shipment and billings summary earlier this month. "We are very pleased to see a shift to the positive for the GA airplanes, which extends across all airplane segments," said Pete Bunce, GAMA's President and CEO.

"Cirrus Aircraft customers are showing an enthusiasm for our new airplanes, especially Generation 5, that we have not seen in quite a while," says Patrick Waddick, President and COO of Cirrus Aircraft. "We are still early in the year, but the initial market response validates our commitment to innovation and to offering Cirrus owners and operators the most value of any aircraft available today."

Cirrus delivers 51 SR-series airplanes to individual customers and continues export market fleet deliveries.

With production line changes necessary for the new design, initial deliveries of Generation 5 aircraft commenced in February 2013. Delivery results in the first quarter were impressive, supported by a strong backlog of sales orders that carried over from late 2012. Cirrus also continued training aircraft deliveries to China's largest aviation university, Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) in Luoyang, China.

"We are enjoying the strongest demand we've seen over the past five years and certainly since the global financial crisis that has affected aviation so significantly," states Todd Simmons, Cirrus Aircraft Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer Support. "Stronger financial markets and economic stability are certainly helping but it's the fifth generation Cirrus that is really propelling demand right now. Our order backlog is several months out. It seems that more and more conversations are about new airplanes, how an airplane can help grow a business, and of course, flying adventures."

Generation 5 is the name given to the airframe change required to achieve the step-change improvement for the 2013 SR22/SR22T. The entire aircraft design was analyzed from spinner-to-tail and many parts and systems reengineered and redesigned to accommodate the increased airframe load, aerodynamic improvements, improved flight performance and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS.) Substantial testing, including a new series of CAPS parachute test drops, was conducted for validation. Significant changes for 2013 have been made to the CAPS system including an increased canopy size, a new rocket extraction system that propels the parachute upon activation, an advanced technology electrical rocket igniter and lighter and stronger construction materials. Other airframe upgrades included strengthening the carbon fiber, single part wing spar, the landing gear and a new flap system allowing extension to the first position at 150 knots.

This redesigned 2013 SR22/SR22T, the fifth generation of Cirrus aircraft, adds a load carrying exclamation point to recent Cirrus innovations including: Cirrus Perspective™ avionics by Garmin^®; Cirrus Known Ice Protection™; Perspective Global Connect™ satellite communications; 60/40 FlexSeating™; and the totally unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS). The SR22/SR22T has been the best selling GA aircraft now for over a decade.

General Aviation's leading publications all feature the Generation 5 Cirrus

May 2013 Flying Magazine
"Super Cirrus: Generation 5. Why the latest SR22 is the best yet."

Last year, Flying magazine proclaimed the SR22 "The Most Sophisticated Single…Ever." After an early spring extended flight in the new 2013 Generation 5 SR22T, Flying Magazine's Robert Goyer comments:

"Cirrus has delivered more than 5,300 airplanes to date, and the SR22 G5, with its 200-pound increase in gross weight, greatly improved flaps, enviable performance and features list, is the best one yet."

May 2013 AOPA Pilot Magazine
"Cirrus SR22T: More of a good thing."

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Tom Haines enjoyed his inaugural flight in the Vision-inspired, Generation 5 SR22T this spring. His travels took him from Frederick, Md., to Santa Fe, N.M. then to Salt Lake City, Utah. In the May cover article, Tom concludes:

"With all of the capabilities baked into a late model SR22—known-ice certification, air conditioning, air bags, parachute, the incredibly integrated and capable Perspective panel, seating for five, and the possibility of turbocharging—one is hard pressed to ask more from a single-engine piston except for a much-needed boost in payload, which is exactly what the Generation 5 models provide."

May 2013 Plane & Pilot Magazine
"Down & Dirty. The Cirrus SR22 tries out the Idaho backcountry and redefines airplane camping."

Plane & Pilot's Marc Lee and Jessica Ambats brought the Cirrus SR22 on a mission thought unachievable by many – on a backcountry grass strip. Marc states:

"General aviation's best-selling aircraft for 10 years running has never been considered for its off-pavement capabilities. In fact, the Cirrus brand is known for its citified sensibilities, like comfort, advanced avionics, ease of flying, sophistication and speed – hardly a dirt-strip airplane." Following their mission, Marc concludes, "It's fair…to call the SR22 the most sophisticated GA aircraft, a useful and efficient business tool and a superlative cross-country hauler."

The Vision Inspired SR22T

Sharp new ramp presence, an awe-inspiring design and multiple new features mean the Vision Inspired SR22T is more than simply photo worthy. With more than 10 of these special aircraft already delivered, the Vision Inspired SR22T is designed to convey the Cirrus Vision SF50 personal jet in the SR-Series piston line.

"In many ways the SR22T's flight characteristics closely emulate those in the Vision jet. We want our owners to think about their transition to flying their jet and gain time and experience at flight levels to enhance their skills," states Rob Haig, Director of Cirrus Aircraft's Corporate Flight Operations. "The primary difference between a turbo powered piston aircraft and a personal jet is the speed at which decision-making must occur to ensure safety. This is a skill that a pilot must practice to become proficient."

ABOUT CIRRUS AIRCRAFT
Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all-composite line of personal aircraft - the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T - incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin^® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed five million flight hours with 69 lives saved as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50 jet, with over 500 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd (CAIGA). For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.

SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft