Feb. 10--Honors just keep coming to Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft and its founders.
On Thursday, co-founder and CEO Dale Klapmeier was inducted into the AirSpace Minnesota Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Minneapolis.
Klapmeier was called a living legend and honored for contributing to Minnesota's legacy of innovation by having big dreams and the skills to make them happen.
The honor comes as Klapmeier, along with his brother, Alan, prepare to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame this fall.
The brothers co-founded Cirrus Design in the mid-1980s, producing what has become the world market leader in its class of small, single-engine piston planes.
Alan Klapmeier moved on to found Kestrel Aircraft, which is developing an eight-seat, single-engine turboprop plane.
They're among six aviation leaders to be inducted this year into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, including Apollo astronaut James A. McDivitt.
Also last week, Cirrus Aircraft received the prestigious 2013 Joseph T. Nall Safety Award for pioneering numerous safety features with single-engine planes, including advanced aerodynamics, its airframe parachute system and airframe ice protection.
The award is presented annually by the International Air and Trans-
portation Safety Bar Association to honor industry leaders who have contributed greatly to aviation and transportation safety.
During the annual conference in Pensacola, Fla., the award was presented to Cirrus' SR series' engineering and design team -- CEO Dale Klapmeier, President Pat Waddick, Senior Vice President Paul Brey along with staffers Mike Stevens, Paul Johnston, Travis Klumb, Dave Rathban and Tim Timmerman.
Klapmeier said the company was honored to join other aviation leaders who have received the award.
"But our work is far from done as we continue to challenge ourselves to make flying safer and more secure for new and seasoned pilots alike," he said in a statement.
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