Cirrus Aircraft announced a new facility at McKinney National Airport (KTKI) McKinney, Texas.

In May 2019, Cirrus Aircraft announced a new facility at McKinney National Airport (KTKI) McKinney, Texas.

“Cirrus Services continues to transform the way we deliver factory-direct service and support,” said Todd Simmons, President, Customer Experience at Cirrus Aircraft. “We recognize the importance of developing a world-class, comprehensive owner and operating experience, and our new location in McKinney, Texas is the latest step in providing factory-direct support to our customers in the south-central area of the United States.”

“Our goal is to expand the premium experience our customers expect from our flagship Vision Center Campus in Knoxville, and we have found that opportunity at McKinney National Airport,” said Ravi Dharnidharka, Senior Vice President, Cirrus Services at Cirrus Aircraft.

Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling piston aircraft series and the new visionary 5-seat SF50 Jet. Cirrus was awarded the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy for designing, certifying and placing into service the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet and implementing a whole airframe parachute system for the aircraft.

Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), which is the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on Cirrus aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus planes has passed 10.5 million hours, and 172 people have returned home safely to their families because CAPS is included as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. 

The company has four locations in the United States, including Duluth, Minnesota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee and now McKinney, Texas.

Memorial Day – 2019

Memorial Day is one of America’s most cherished patriotic observances.  We extend our utmost gratitude to those who died defending our nation and freedom.  Remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

“We thank God that such men [and women] lived.”  General George S. Patton

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend.

The Cirrus Vision jet was the most-delivered jet in 2018

In February 2019, The Robb Report published “The Vision Jet was the Most-Delivered Business Jet in 2018.” M.D. Seaton stated, the single-engine Cirrus edged out Bombardier’s Challenger 350 and Cessna Citation Latitude – based on deliveries. The article is a good read but these jets are not in the same customer market.

Seaton shared the General Aviation Management Association’s annual report stats, which reveal business jet deliveries are up over the prior year about 3.8% in 2018.  And, the very light jet (VLJ) category helped to push the increase.  

Seaton noted; Cirrus has announced the replacement of its first version jet with an upgraded second-generation model.  The G2 Vision Jet has a higher flight ceiling of 31,000 feet, more range, payload, and greater speed than the original, and the flight deck is now equipped with auto throttle along with other enhancements.  

The Cirrus Personal Jet is one of the most advanced jets on the market today. For more details see “What Changed on the Generation 2 Vision Jet.” 

2018 SF50 Cirrus Vision Personal Jet Generation One, photo credit wikiWings
Certified 2018 SF50 Cirrus Vision Personal Jet Generation One, Williams Turbo-fan FJ33-5A engine, serial number 0062, photo credit wikiWings

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We attended Angel Flight South Central silent auction 2019

On Thursday, April 25th, Tidal Aviation of Houston Texas sponsored an event for the benefit of Angel Flight South Central at the Lone Star Flight Museum.  We had a great time of aviator fellowship in a historical setting with live music and fantastic food from Churrascos catering. Reid Nelson, Founder of Tidal Aviation and his team along with Larry Forney, Vice Chairman Board of Directors Angel Flight South Central and his team were excellent hosts.  

Two cancer survivors presented moving testimonies on how Angel Flight blessed them through their difficult periods of cancer treatments. During the evening, a silent auction was held on many items.  All for a very good cause.  

Please make a donation to Angel Flight.  Your support would be greatly appreciated and will go a long way with helping individuals in need. 

Lone Star Flight Museum, Ellington Airport KEFD,
Lone Star Flight Museum, Ellington Airport KEFD, Tidal Aviation 2019 Angel Flight Benefit, photo credit wikiWings

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How many aviation pilots are there?

The 2018 GAMA report of FAA statistics indicates there are a total of 633,316 certificated pilots. Here’s a General Aviation factoid summary.

2018 Pilot Statistics

Description2018
Student       167,804 
Recreational              147 
Sport           6,246 
Private       175,771 
Commercial       115,776 
Airline Transport       167,572 
Total       633,316 

In 2018, the number of women pilots was 46,485 or about 7.34% of the total. Up from prior years but still too low. The FAA began reporting Remote Pilot statistics in 2016. Last year, the total registered pilots for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles was 106,321.

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Connecting Aviators® and related marks and logos are property of wikiWings®