DULUTH, Minn., Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft today announced the groundbreaking of the Vision Center at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. Cirrus Aircraft Co-Founder and CEO Dale Klapmeier addressed the crowd last Thursday during a ceremony for the new customer experience center that will be the first of its kind in general aviation. With shovels in hand, Klapmeier, along with other state and local dignitaries, officially broke ground on the new facility signifying a new era for Cirrus Aircraft.
"Our mission to deliver an aviation experience that is the pinnacle of innovation, quality, and safety is taking a giant leap forward with our expansion here in Tennessee," said Klapmeier. "Cirrus Aircraft's story is one of growth and expansion – first to Duluth, Minnesota then Grand Forks, North Dakota and now Knoxville, Tennessee. The Vision Center embodies our mission to deliver a world class aviation experience."
The Vision Center will be the flagship location for all Cirrus Aircraft pilot, owner and customer activities including training, service, support, sales, marketing, delivery, personalization, fixed base operations and more. Customer activities at the new Vision Center will encompass all Cirrus Aircraft airplanes, products and services including both the SR series of aircraft and the Vision SF50® single-engine personal jet. Research and development, along with manufacturing operations, will continue to take place in both Duluth and Grand Forks.
"Thursday's groundbreaking for the Vision Center is a true inflection point for the company and for the entire Cirrus family," said Todd Simmons, President, Customer Experience. "Our sights are aimed high as we develop a world class and game-changing customer facility in Tennessee and as we make good on our promise to enhance the customer experience to a level never seen before in general aviation. We couldn't be more excited as we take this next step on that journey here in Knoxville."
Factory Service Center operations at the Vision Center are slated to open in the first half of 2016, while the remaining customer activities are targeted to commence during the second half of 2016.
Vision Center highlights, timelines and more can be found at www.cirrusaircraft.com/visioncenter.
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 seven million flight hours with 109 people returned to their families as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50®, with over 550 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. The Vision Center in Knoxville, TN will be the flagship location for all Cirrus Aircraft Customer Experience activities including sales, delivery, training, maintenance, support, personalization, fixed base operations and more. 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.
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SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft
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