DULUTH, Minn., Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft is celebrating a business milestone with the delivery of its 5,000th airplane.  The company, which began production in Duluth, Minnesota just 11 short years ago in 1999, has gone from an entrepreneurial dream to a global aviation company with aircraft delivered in more than 60 countries around the world.

"We are truly excited and humbled to be delivering the 5,000th Cirrus aircraft," said Dale Klapmeier, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft.  "When we started, we dreamed of building airplanes that made people's lives easier and better. Five thousand aircraft later, we're proud of this achievement and we will continue to improve upon that dream."

Known for incorporating luxury automotive ergonomics, pilot-friendly avionics and advanced safety features into its high performance airplanes, Cirrus pioneered the use of the FAA-certified Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ that is standard equipment on all Cirrus aircraft.  For nine years in a row, the Cirrus SR22 family of aircraft has been the best-selling four-place airplane in the world.

"The delivery of the 5,000th airplane underscores Cirrus' business success in the aviation industry," said Todd Simmons, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Cirrus Aircraft. "All of our aircraft owners, employees and partners are rightfully proud of what we have accomplished together," said Simmons.

The 5000th SR airplane has been purchased by Joe Whisenhunt of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Mr. Whisenhunt, along with his family, were in Hartford, CT, attending the 2011 Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) Summit where he joined Cirrus Aircraft and AOPA leaders for a special presentation of his new airplane.  Mr. Whisenhunt, a loyal Cirrus Aircraft customer and now proud owner of the N5000J, also has reserved an early production position for the Cirrus Vision SF50 personal jet.

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). As of mid-2011, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed five million flight hours with 48 lives saved to date as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50 jet, with nearly 500 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution - the personal jet.  All Cirrus aircraft are made in the USA 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.

SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft