Pilotcast #042 -OSH Vidcast #1 - Cirrus - 2006.07.29
Pilotcast Exclusive! Alan Klapmeier, co-founder and president of Cirrus Design joins the Hangar Flying on The Pilotcast with Pilot Kent!
* Alan Klapmeier always thought he would run an airplane company He has realized his life’s dream.
* The Cirrus SR-22 is #1 largest selling single model airplane in the world
* The history of Cirrus Design
o Designed the first airplane in 1979
o Cirrus Design incorporated in 1984
o Its roots are with a kit homebuilt
o Designed and sold
+ A kit aircraft
+ A pressurized turboprop
+ A UAV for the U.S. military
o The Cirrus VK30
+ “…it should have been a jet.”
+ Sold about 40 kits
+ A flying VK30 is featured in the “One Six Right” movie
+ Was high performance but tricky to fly.
o After the VK30 experience, Cirrus decided to focus on an easy to fly, safe design.
* Q: “Will you be producing a jet?”
A: “Yes. Someday!”
* “We now believe we can make a personal jet that is virtually as easy to fly as this airplane.”
* "We don’t have any plans in the Light Sport area."
* Other topics discussed: The new turbocharged SR-22.
* What is Cirrus doing to make it easier to obtain insurance coverage for a Cirrus product?
* The story behind Cirrus aircraft being equipped with a ballistic parachute.
* Why does Cirrus have the Avidyne glass cockpit vs. the more popular ones from Garmin?
* The new Cirrus Access training program for new Cirrus owners with no flying experience.
* New Cirrus financial, warranty and used airplane programs.
Is that verification of a Cirrus jet a scoop for the Pilotcast?
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