Duluth, Minn. & Knoxville, Tenn. (25 March 2021) \u2013 Cirrus Aircraft today announced an impressive year of new aircraft deliveries in 2020, with the SR Series continuing to be the best-selling high-performance piston aircraft for the nineteenth year in a row, and the Vision Jet\u2122 also continuing as the best-selling jet in general aviation for the second year in a row. In addition to delivering 346 SR Series aircraft and 73 Vision Jets in 2020, Cirrus Aircraft certified and began delivering the Safe Return\u2122 emergency autoland system on the Vision Jet and introduced the comprehensive VisionAir\u2122 jet-ownership solution for new entrants into personal aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis past year has been an extraordinary demonstration of our team\u2019s ability to persevere during unprecedented challenges,\u201d said Zean Nielsen, CEO at Cirrus Aircraft. \u201cIn addition to executing on our plans, we have continued to introduce new people to aviation around the world as demand grew throughout the year for our products and services. We are committed to continue delivering a world-class aviation experience to our over 8,000 SR Series owners and more than 245 Vision Jet operators worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This last year marks the seventh consecutive year that Cirrus Aircraft has delivered more than 300 SR Series aircraft. Additionally, the Vision Jet continues to deliver into new global markets and has now surpassed 245 Vision Jets in service around the world. Over 450 pilots have now earned their FAA type rating in the Vision Jet. Expansion of Cirrus Services\u2122 also fueled enterprise growth, including the introduction of new Cirrus Certified offerings from Cirrus <\/a>Direct<\/a>\u2122<\/a> and the expansion of Cirrus <\/a>Finance<\/a>\u2122<\/a> into international markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The SR Series Reaches a New Milestone with More Than 8,000 Aircraft Worldwide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In January, the company unveiled a new Limited Edition aircraft to commemorate the delivery of its 8,000th<\/sup> SR Series aircraft later this year \u2013 the 8000 Limited <\/a>Edition<\/a> SR-serie<\/a>. Inspired by the company\u2019s rich history of designing and building aircraft that inspire people to experience the world through personal aviation, the new design features bold colors and unapologetic accents on the exterior and interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cirrus Aircraft\u2019s first high-performance SR <\/a>Series<\/a> airplane \u2013 the SR20 \u2013 was first delivered in 1999 and transformed general aviation with intuitive avionics, game-changing performance and revolutionary safety systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System\u00ae (CAPS\u00ae). The SR Series has been the world\u2019s best-selling single-engine piston for 19 years in a row, with a portfolio that includes the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T. The SR Series worldwide fleet currently exceeds 11 million total SR Series flight hours in more than 60 countries around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year, the company announced the launch of the 2020 G6 SR Series, the most technologically advanced models ever of the world\u2019s best-selling SR20, SR22 and SR22T high-performance piston aircraft. The highlight of the new model year included the introduction of the Cirrus Aircraft mobile app powered by Cirrus IQ\u2122<\/sup> \u2013 providing a real-time digital connection to the airplane from virtually anywhere in the world. Further enhancements included re-imagined interior and exterior aesthetics featuring a line of bold new colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These new features alongside additional upgrades to the industry-leading Cirrus Perspective+\u2122<\/sup> by Garmin\u00ae flight deck make the G6 SR Series the most comprehensive, integrated and intelligent flight experience available today, enabling a smarter aircraft, a smarter pilot and smarter flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Vision Jet Reaches New Heights with Certification of Safe Return Emergency Autoland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuing to redefine transportation as the world\u2019s first single-engine Personal Jet\u2122<\/sup>, the Vision<\/a> Jet<\/a> experienced further evolution with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of Safe<\/a> Return emergency autoland<\/a> \u2013 a revolutionary system enabled by Garmin\u2019s autoland technology that allows passengers to land the Vision Jet with just the touch of a button in emergency situations. The Safe Return certification followed tremendous growth of the Vision Jet, including it becoming the world\u2019s best-selling jet in general aviation and delivery of more than 245 Vision Jets, with more than 450 FAA Type Ratings worldwide. Now, with Safe Return and the Collier award-winning Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), the Vision Jet provides the most comprehensive, must-have total safety solution in general aviation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company also announced VisionAir in 2020, a revolutionary ownership program for the Vision Jet. Designed as a completely turnkey program, VisionAir includes everything needed to own, operate and manage a Vision Jet, making the reality of owning the world\u2019s first Personal Jet more accessible than ever. The new program is a bold new step following tremendous growth of the Vision Jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, in 2020, charter service operator Verijet<\/a> began operations with an all-Vision Jet fleet to provide convenient point-to-point short haul flights for customers in the Southeastern region of the United States and flies to over 5,400 smaller, less-congested airports. Chosen for its safety, comfort and overall efficiency, the Vision Jet is the perfect aircraft for Verijet\u2019s regional missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In early 2019, the company announced the launch of the next generation Vision Jet\u2013 \u201cG2\u201d \u2013 with enhanced performance, comfort and safety. Evolutionary features include increased cruise altitude, speed and range, along with a newly upgraded Perspective Touch+ by Garmin flight deck. In addition to the upgrades, several innovative technologies were added to the G2 Vision Jet, including a category-first Autothrottle, Flight Stream connectivity and more. Interior amenities further enhanced the passenger experience with new executive seats, thoughtfully engineered noise reduction and a passenger productivity console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Launched in 2016, the Vision Jet defined a new category in aviation \u2013 the Personal Jet \u2013 with its spacious pilot and passenger-friendly cabin featuring panoramic windows, reclining seats, comfortable legroom for five adults and two children and the only turbine aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system as standard equipment. A new milestone in the journey of the Vision Jet was reached in 2018, with the historic win of the Robert J. Collier Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fleet and Special Mission Expands Around the Globe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professional flight training organizations continue to grow their fleets with the technologically advanced, industry-leading TRAC <\/a>Series<\/a> aircraft as they prepare the next generation of airline pilots. This year, Marshall University added a new fleet of TRAC aircraft as the flagship of their aviation program. Other world-renowned flight training academies using Cirrus aircraft include Emirates Airlines, Lufthansa, Southern Utah University, Oklahoma State University and Vincennes University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2019, Cirrus Aircraft announced the TRAC Series, a purpose-built configuration of the best-selling SR Series line of aircraft developed specifically for flight training institutions. The TRAC Series is thoughtfully crafted with reliability, durability and economy in mind to meet the rigors of high-tempo flight operations, while providing industry-leading safety and performance for both the student pilot and flight instructor. Combining the Perspective+ flight deck along with the unrivaled performance and safety uniquely found in the SR Series, the TRAC Series includes tailored features such as rear seat push-to-talk functionality and a landing gear simulator aimed at increasing training productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Cirrus Perception\u00ae \u2013 the company\u2019s sensor-capable special mission aircraft \u2013 continues to enhance law enforcement search and rescue efforts around the world with a cost-effective multi-use platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cirrus Services Grows, Further Enhances Ownership Experience with New Offerings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cirrus Services continued to grow in 2020, launching new offerings to customers to further enhance the ownership experience. Highlighting these new offerings was the expansion of services for international owners with the availability of international finance options through Cirrus Finance and the launch of an EASA-approved Vision Jet Training program in Europe. Additionally, Cirrus Direct has expanded offerings of Cirrus Certified parts and upgrades to customers around the world \u2013 making owning and maintaining your Cirrus aircraft more convenient than ever. The company also launched a newly improved website in 2020 to further activate the experience for customers around the world through the ease of additional digital tools and connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cirrus Services expanded in 2019 with the addition of a new Factory Direct location in McKinney, Texas offering factory service, with additional services to include flight training, maintenance and aircraft management. The company also opened a new Factory Service Center at its Vision Center Campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, increasing service center capacity and opening up additional space for a dedicated Paint and Detail center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The launch of Cirrus Services in 2018 signified another milestone in Cirrus Aircraft\u2019s ongoing plans to redefine the personal aviation ownership experience by providing a world-class customer experience for life. Cirrus Services recognizes the customer\u2019s needs before, during and after initial aircraft delivery by combining Flight Training, Service and Support into a single, dedicated business unit. The dedicated group is focused on growing capabilities and offerings at the company\u2019s expanding list of Factory Direct centers, as well as through a network of authorized service and training partners across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n