We pause and reflect – In honor and recognition to the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. We respect your courage, commitment and sacrifice. Thank you for protecting us and our freedom.
May God bless America.
Author: Jeff Brewer
Jeff is an entrepreneur, pilot and aviation writer. He's the Founder of wikiWings.
He’s enjoyed flying for over 20 years and has more than 1,700 hours of flight time in piston engine aircraft; including 500 hours in the Turbo Cirrus SR22TN-G3 Perspective, Cessna 152, 172, 182; Piper Warrior, Archer, Arrow and Aztec.
He has been a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 1992 and a member in several aviation type clubs.
The author’s current home base is Houston, Texas.
Cirrus introduces Safe Return Emergency Autoland
“October 2019, Cirrus Aircraft Revolutionizes Passenger Safety through Autonomous Flight with Safe Return Emergency Autoland.”
“Cirrus Aircraft, the global leader in personal aviation, ushered in a new era of innovation today with the introduction of Safe ReturnTM – a revolutionary emergency autoland system that enables passengers to land the Vision JetTM with just the touch of a single button. Once activated when available, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop. The Vision Jet, with both Safe Return and the award-winning Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), provides a comprehensive, must-have total safety solution unique to G2 Vision Jet operators.”
“Our mission is to make personal aviation more accessible by continuing to improve passenger comfort and safety,” said Zean Nielsen, Cirrus Aircraft Chief Executive Officer. “Safe Return delivers the next step towards autonomous flight, bringing a new level of confidence to the overall flying experience by providing the ultimate level of safety and control to passengers. Together, with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), we have once again set a new standard for safety in personal air travel.”
“Easily accessible by passengers in the Vision Jet cabin, Safe Return is activated by the touch of a button when available. Once pressed, the autonomous system analyzes terrain and datalink weather to determine the optimal airport for landing, and simultaneously begins communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC). Powered by the Perspective Touch+TM by Garmin® flight deck, Safe Return utilizes all available aircraft data streams, including available fuel, to safely navigate the Vision Jet to the identified airport and transition on to final approach for the appropriate runway based on ground winds. Autothrottle – launched earlier this year on the new G2 Vision Jet –and the automatic flight control system manage the aircraft’s speed, altitude and path, while the system automatically lowers the flaps and landing gear on final approach. Safe Return culminates in the aircraft making a fully autonomous landing on the intended runway and coming to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft.”
“Included during this entire process is constant communication with ATC – another layer of autonomy that provides assurance to passengers experiencing a critical situation. Upon activation, Safe Return immediately transmits an emergency message to ATC. Using text and speech technology, the system communicates the aircraft’s intentions over the appropriate ATC frequency, the 121.5 emergency voice frequency, and also switches to the universal emergency transponder code. ATC is automatically updated at regular intervals of the aircraft’s location, emergency situation and intended airport landing location. These communications begin the process of activating emergency services at the airport of intended landing to assist the passenger and pilot upon arrival. Safe Return can be easily disengaged by the pilot with a simple press of the Autopilot disconnect button on the yoke if a passenger inadvertently activates the system.”
“In 2016, Cirrus Aircraft ushered in a new era in personal transportation with the FAA certification of the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet – the Vision Jet. The turbine aircraft defined a new category in aviation – the Personal JetTM – 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. Earlier this year, Cirrus Aircraft unveiled and began delivery of the G2 Vision Jet, offering enhanced performance, comfort and safety with increased cruise altitude, speed and range, and a newly-upgraded Perspective Touch+TM by Garmin® flight deck. The company expects to begin delivery of Vision Jets equipped with Safe Return in early 2020.”
Reference: Cirrus Press Release, October 30, 2019
SR22-G6 Unrivaled Integration
“Cirrus Perspective+ seamlessly unites all aircraft system health and status information with external data, instantly presenting a user-friendly synopsis for maximum situational awareness. Colorful, robust displays connect the pilot visually and aurally with the information needed to monitor every aspect of the aircraft in real time, quickly identify changing conditions and allow the pilot to make intelligent, informed decisions.”
“Engine data, fluid levels and flow rates, real-time animated weather and traffic and air data information – all at the pilot’s fingertips. Cirrus Perspective+ intelligently integrates aircraft systems, aircraft surroundings, flight deck and pilot. The result: the most responsive, smartest, safest general aviation experience available.”
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin, marketing brochure, p.9, 2017.
A New Generation of Flight Deck
“As the best-selling aircraft in its class for over a decade, the Cirrus SR22 is continuously equipped with the latest advancements in flight deck technology. Today the Cirrus G6 featuring Perspective+™ resets the already high standard, connects avionics and pilot and makes the aircraft a seamless extension of the pilot’s decision-making process.”
“The QWERTY keypad provides a familiar and intuitive interface, making data entry and access fast and simple. Wireless connectivity enables quick transfer of flight plan and weather information as well as convenient data updates via mobile device. Lightening fast processors support enhanced safety features like SurfaceWatch and animated NEXRAD datalink weather as well as superior zooming and panning performance. And a convenient HOME button navigates immediately to the base map screen, with one touch.”
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin, marketing brochure, p.7, 2017.
Experience Connected Intelligence
“An exquisite alliance of simplicity and performance, Cirrus Aircraft and the worldwide leader in general aviation avionics, Garmin, once again redefine the industry standard. Introducing the Cirrus Aircraft G6, featuring Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin: the most intelligent, most connected and most capable flight deck available in its class.”
“Relentless innovation and limitless passion combine to deliver a new generation of flight deck, featuring ten times the performance, seamless connectivity between aviator and aircraft, numerous additional safety enhancements and an elevated flight experience tailored to the most discerning pilot.”
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin, marketing brochure, p.2, 2017.
The Co-Founder of Cirrus Aircraft Tells His Inspirational Story in a Documentary filmed by Elixirr
If you’re interested in aviation and entrepreneurial stories then the recently released documentary on Cirrus Aircraft and their disruptive innovation is a must see. The program was sponsored by Elixirr and released in a video series titled Airtime. Dale Klapmeier, company cofounder, tells his family’s story from humble beginnings through the many collective challenges required to become a dominate competitor in the world of general aviation.
Dale’s family vision built an organizational culture that brings a transformational lifestyle to their customers called – The Cirrus Life. To this day, the brothers “barnstorming” innovation continues the revolution in general aviation personal transportation.
The Cirrus Life Personified
“Comfort, safety and utility combine for a lifestyle of profound richness.”
A message from Dale:
“Aviation was my passion from my earliest memories. I have always loved planes and flying. But even more so I love what flying lets my family and me do together. Whether it’s the time saved on business trips or creating great memories on a quick weekend ski trip to Colorado, these are the things I value the most about this amazing product we build. It’s the access to a very special lifestyle that defines the real benefits of owning a Cirrus.”
“For everyone who dreams of flight, our goal is to see them sitting in the pilot’s seat, making a Cirrus a part of their lives. That’s The Cirrus Life, and we hope to make it part of your life too.”
Dale Klapmeier, Co-founder and Senior Advisor, Cirrus Aircraft
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Life™ marketing brochure, p.32, 2017.
For Those Who Absolutely Insist On Flying First Class, G6, Arrive, Be Seen.
“Cirrus Aircraft is never satisfied with the status quo. The new G6 adds to the impressive array of best-in-class features of the Cirrus SR Series. A new generation flight deck, Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin, boasts 10 times more processing power and the most connected cabin experience available in personal aircraft. All-new Spectra™ wingtip lighting is brighter, safer and more dramatic than anything ever seen on the ramp. It’s easy to see why the Cirrus G6 is the smartest, safest, most innovative piston aircraft available.”
See all the ways to dream at Cirrus Aircraft.com
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Life™ marketing brochure, p.21, 2017.
CAPS. It’s There When You Need It.
“Arguably, the most significant technological innovation in general aviation in over half a century, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS®) embodies the most fundamental aspect of The Cirrus Life: Safety. But CAPS® is only one part of the integrated safety engineering that makes a Cirrus so remarkable. The integrated fuselage roll cage, airbag seatbelts, cuffed wing and a host of additional passive and active safety features that reduce pilot workload, all contribute to making Cirrus the safest airplane possible.”
“Every pilot likes to think they are prepared for everything. And having CAPS® dramatically expands the definition of what ‘everything’ describes. It’s there when you need it. And that added level of safety is a key part of The Cirrus Life.”
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Life™ marketing brochure, p.21, 2017.
Precious Cargo
“The reasons you wouldn’t consider anything but “The Plane With the Parachute.”
“When you think about it, why would you consider an airplane that didn’t have a parachute? The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS®), standard on every Cirrus ever made, was part of the design of the airplane from the very beginning.”
“The goal: create the ultimate in personal flight safety from the ground up. The result: the Cirrus family of revolutionary personal aircraft.”
“The Cirrus Life is about the peace of mind knowing that you are flying in the only aircraft in the world with the ultimate safety feature – CAPS®.”
Reference: Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, The Cirrus Life™ marketing brochure, p. 21, 2017.