“The Dallas Metroplex is a central location for many of our SR Series and Vision Jet owners,” said Todd Simmons, President of Customer Experience of Cirrus Aircraft. “With this new expansion at Cirrus McKinney, we are excited to continue enhancing the aircraft ownership experience for our current owners and also create an environment to introduce more people to the benefits of personal aviation. We are proud to partner with the City of McKinney, McKinney Economic Development Corporation and McKinney National Airport and look forward to growing personal aviation in the Dallas Metroplex.” 

Cirrus Aircraft plans to invest $13 million into the new 45,000-square-foot Cirrus McKinney facility. The expansion will include a 15,000-square-foot service hangar, 15,000-square-foot storage hangar, eight shade canopies, a flight simulation space, retail store and a customer lounge with a panoramic viewing balcony. 

Today, Cirrus McKinney employs more than 50 team members and plans to continue adding more career opportunities in the future.  

To learn more about Cirrus McKinney, please visit cirrusaircraft.com/TKI. 

About Cirrus Aircraft   

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 15 million hours, and 250 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has seven locations in the United States, including Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; and Greater Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com. 

Cirrus Aircraft is a leading manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, including the SR20, SR22, and SR22T models. These aircraft are known for their advanced technology, safety features and sleek design. However, what sets Cirrus Aircraft apart from other aircraft manufacturers is our commitment to training and safety. In fact, Cirrus Aircraft is the only aircraft manufacturer in the world to offer a comprehensive training program for pilots and the include the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) as standard equipment on every aircraft. 

Cirrus Approach Flight Training Program 

Cirrus Aircraft’s award-winning training program is called, Cirrus Approach. The flight training program offers a diverse catalog of instructional web-based video courses to anyone interested in earning their private pilot license or for the seasoned pilot to hone their skills in a Cirrus aircraft. The program is divided into modules that cover topics such as pre-flight inspections, takeoff and landing procedures, in-flight operations, and emergency procedures. The modules are presented in a clear and concise format, with interactive quizzes and videos to help reinforce the material.  

U.S. Flight Training Centers 

In addition to the online training program, Cirrus Aircraft also offers in-person flight training at our training centers located throughout the United States. The training centers are staffed by experienced Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilots (CSIPs) who are trained to provide personalized instruction based on the needs of each individual pilot. The training curriculum includes ground school instruction, flight simulator training, and in-flight instruction in a Cirrus aircraft.  

Cirrus Aircraft’s Flight Training Centers are located in: 

Knoxville, Tennessee  
Scottsdale, Arizona 
McKinney, Texas 
Orlando, Florida 

Flight Simulator Training

One of the unique features of Cirrus flight training is the use of an advanced flight simulator, a certified Flight Training Device (FTD) that represents the SR Series aircraft. The Cirrus FTD is a state-of-the-art simulator that provides pilots with a realistic flight experience. The FTD is equipped with a full cockpit, including avionics and flight controls, and is capable of simulating a variety of flight scenarios, including emergency procedures and weather conditions. 

Advanced Safety Systems 

Another important aspect of Cirrus Aircraft flight training is the emphasis on safety and continuous training. Cirrus aircraft are equipped with advanced safety features, such as CAPS, a ballistic parachute system that can deploy in the event of an emergency. In addition, Cirrus pilots are trained to follow a standardized set of procedures and checklists to ensure that each flight is conducted safely and efficiently. 

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pilot, Cirrus flight training can help you achieve your aviation goals. With a focus on safety, technology, and personalized instruction, Cirrus Aircraft makes learning to fly an enjoyable and gratifying experience.  

Start your learn to fly journey with Cirrus Aircraft today: cirrusaircraft.com/learn-to-fly. 

Cirrus Flight Training Courses 

Our award-winning flight training program offers a diverse catalog of instructional video courses to anyone interested in earning their private pilot license or for the seasoned pilot to hone their skills. Be sure to check out the latest: 

The SR Series Maneuvers Course is the perfect primer for any upcoming training event with your local CSIP. Ride along with Mike Goulian, CSIP (and professional airshow performer), as he takes you through a real-time demonstration of each maneuver. Mike talks through the maneuver, points out helpful tricks and provides a little self-critique along the way. 

The SR Series Cross Country Procedures Course provides a real-life cross-country journey to the sunny beaches of Destin, Florida. Inside you’ll find a step-by-step guide to everything you’ll need for a cross-country flight, from building your flight plan, navigating tricky airspace, decoding weather and even flying at night.

The Takeoff and Landing Course offers 10 lessons in over five hours of training, from preflight preparation to proper execution – everything needed to make great takeoffs and landings. 

SR Series and Vision Jet Gear from The Cirrus Store 

Ensure you and your aircraft are fashioned with springtime essentials keeping you safe, comfortable and stylish.  

Every aircraft needs Cowl Plugs to prevent birds, bugs, and foreign objects from entering your Cirrus through the cowl or pitot tube with this Inlet Plug and Pitot Cover set. 

Travel off the grid with peace of mind with the In Reach Mini 2, a compact satellite communicator. A must-have for all pilots.  

Prevent your aircraft from damage by securing it with Slide Down Tie Downs to secure your aircraft to the ground anchors. The set includes three Slide Downs, one for each wing and the tail. 

Cirrus Store Trending Threads  

Stay comfortable and stylish in your favorite Cirrus tops. Ladies, check out this breathable UA Tank. Fellas, the Nike Hex Polo is a wardrobe staple. 

Cirrus Upgrades and Accessories

Lastly, feel comfortable flying during the brightest time of day with the Black Opaque Sun Visor.

For more pro tips from our experts, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 

TRAINING PARTNERS

2022 Training Partner Rising Star

Estevan Lopez Velaquez

2022 Cirrus Embark Top Contributor

All In Aviation

2022 Cirrus Approach Safety Award

Tidal Aviation

2022 Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) of the Year – North America

Daniel Arch, Northwest Flight Service

2022 Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) of the Year – International

Nigel Clark, Bankstown Flying School

2022 Cirrus Training Center (CTC) of the Year – North America

Mike Goulian Aviation

2022 Cirrus Training Center (CTC) of the Year – International

Motorflugschule Egelsbach

2022 Referral Source of the Year

Mike Goulian Aviation

SERVICE PARTNERS

2022 Team Player Award

APG Aviation

2022 Team Player Award

Advanced Lancaster, LP

2022 Team Player Award

Arapahoe Aero

2022 Service Center of the Year

Lone Mountain Aviation

Locate a Cirrus training or service partner near you here.

The Cirrus Orlando Executive Airport location offers Cirrus aircraft sales and concierge flight training. The Cirrus Kissimmee Gateway Airport location provides aircraft maintenance and management. With Cirrus Orlando, student pilots will receive expert, personalized flight training from ground school and flight simulation to in-flight training in the latest G6 SR22 aircraft.

“Cirrus Aircraft’s new presence in Greater Orlando strategically complements our global partner network as the number of personal aviation pilots increase,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “We are excited to open doors to those who are just beginning their aviation journey and to continue fostering the relationships we have with existing customers by providing a convenient Southeast U.S. location for Cirrus-owned training, maintenance and aircraft management.”

Cirrus Orlando complements the global network of over 700 training and service partners offering flight training by Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilots and Cirrus Training Centers as well as aircraft maintenance provided by Cirrus Authorized Service Centers.

Cirrus Aircraft is investing $3.4M in the Greater Orlando facilities and creating numerous career opportunities to support local economic development.

“This Central Florida investment will help our economy become more resilient. In addition, this will provide high-value, high-wage jobs,” said Kissimmee City Mayor Olga González.

Cirrus Aircraft is currently hiring in Greater Orlando, Florida as well as its other locations in Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; McKinney, Texas and Greater Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more about the current career opportunities here cirrusaircraft.com/careers.

For inquiries about Cirrus Aircraft Flight Training and Services in the Greater Orlando region, please contact info@cirrusaircraft.com.

About Cirrus Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 14 million hours, and 235 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has seven locations in the United States, including Benton Harbor, Michigan; Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; and Greater Orlando, Florida and Knoxville, Tennessee. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com.

TOP TIPS FOR FLYING

Few understand the enjoyment and intricacies associated with AirVenture better than Jeff Coffey. The East Tennessee native has seen most everything in his 30 years of service as an air traffic controller at Knoxville, Tennessee’s McGee Tyson Airport (KTYS) and seven years as AirVenture ATC at Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH). We caught up with Coffey for his Top Five Quick Tips for flying into one of the busiest airports in the world (at least for one magical week each July).

Tip 1: Study Ahead
Visit EAA.org/AirVenture. Read the notam and be sure that you understand the tips. And, don’t forget to bring your sign.

Tip 2: Be Ready
Before you start your arrival: complete your checklists, have your aircraft configured properly, load your frequencies, and brief your speeds and altitudes.

Tip 3: Watch for Traffic, Always
During AirVenture Oshkosh, you’re flying into one of the busiest airspaces in the world. Turn your lights on. Watch outside, and on your MFD and/or PFD (if equipped), for traffic. Get in line. Side-by-sides and over-unders don’t work. And, carry some speed to the runway.

Tip 4: Go Around
If the weather changes or traffic gets congested, expect a diversion. Carry some extra fuel, stay calm and be ready to go with the flow.

Tip 5: Be Safe
Know your limits. Don’t press a bad situation. Be safe out there and get ready to see more airplanes gathered together than any other day of the year – that’s right, get excited!

Here to offer additional advice is Thomas Klotz, Flight Training Developer at Cirrus Aircraft. With ten years of flying under his belt, Thomas has experienced this journey countless times over the years – both as a private pilot and Cirrus Aircraft corporate pilot. He offers some of his own wisdom to assist those who would like to join in the largest aviation gathering in the world.

What is a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)?
If you want to fly to Oshkosh, the NOTAM is the essential playbook for what you will need to know, and you should have a copy onboard. Each year there are small important changes, so make sure to review it prior to departure.

Do I need to fill out any forms prior to arriving at Oshkosh?
No. However, you will need to print a parking sign and departure sign. Immediately after landing, place the parking sign on the pilot’s window so the ground crew can direct you to park and tie down your aircraft. Your departure sign will determine whether you are taking off via VFR or IFR. If you plan to operate IFR, be sure to read the NOTAM carefully (p. 24), as there are specific requests and clearances needed.

Having flown to Oshkosh multiple times, is there anything you would recommend?
Bring extra fuel if possible. There’s a lot going on in a small place so weather, parking, traffic or other variables may require you to stay in a holding pattern or re-route to a neighboring airport.

ARRIVAL

Being such a large event, are there any unique alterations on the radio frequency?
Yes. Because of the large number of aircraft trying to land, the communication is mainly one directional. Pilot chatter practically ceases upon arrival. Instead, your communication is primarily with ground control men, who spot each aircraft and call to the pilot to rock the aircraft’s wings in acknowledgement – a simple left and right action of your wings. The various radio frequencies for the event will be listed in the NOTAM.

Should you expect a holding pattern?
It is very possible that you will be asked to hold. While ground control makes every effort to bring planes in quickly, their foremost goal is safety. Aircraft may be placed in a holding pattern to account for landings and departures – ranging from a few short minutes to a decent amount of time. (Which is why extra fuel is important.)

What might be a challenge for the final approach?
A spot landing is not unusual at Oshkosh, so I would recommend practicing spot landings before your trip. The runway at Oshkosh will have a painted color scheme as well as various numbers, and ground control may direct you to land on a specific color or number. While it may require some practice, it’s a good challenge!

DEPARTURE

How can you get more information about departures while at Oshkosh?
Departure briefings occur daily, from 0700-1330 and 1630-1800, and provide an informal recap on safety, weather and other important items. These are held in the main Departure Briefing building, located east of the control tower (as well as other dedicated small briefing buildings). EAA staff in aircraft parking areas can also provide information and extra resources can be found on the website.

OUR PACKING LIST

Sunglasses

You’ll be walking around all day looking at unbelievable airplanes, protect your eyes.

Water Bottle

Stay hydrated and bring an insulated water bottle with you.

Jacket

Summer in Wisconsin means potential rain, make sure to stay dry. 

Hat

Keep the sun out of the way with a lightweight hat. 

Sunscreen 

You’ll be outside for most of the day, receive a sunscreen and chapstick complimentary gift with purchase from the Cirrus Store.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a must see for all ages and we look forward to meeting you this year at the Cirrus Aircraft booth on Celebration Way.

“The TRAC20 is one of the most technologically advanced aircraft on the market and we are super excited to bring it to our academy and train our students to prepare them for United Airlines,” said Dana Donati, Chief Executive Officer of United Aviate Academy.

United Aviate Academy’s TRAC20 fleet is equipped with an integrated avionics suite essential for situational awareness and hazard avoidance, such as Synthetic Vision, ChartView, Active Traffic and more. These advanced avionics will prepare United Aviate Academy students for their careers at regional and mainline airlines after graduation. Additionally, the hot weather package keeps students and instructors comfortable in the Goodyear, Arizona training environment. The hazard and traffic avoidance features provide extra safety in this dense flight training area. 

Cirrus Aircraft offers an aircraft personalization program where customers work with the Cirrus Aircraft Xi Design team to create a custom aesthetic for their aircraft using their own inspiration and vision. United Aviate Academy collaborated with the Xi Design team to create a unique livery featuring aspects of both brands. All twenty-five aircraft will feature this thoughtful design featuring the blue and white United Aviate Academy logo on the tail, fuselage, and crew seats as well as a wear-resistant interior.

“Cirrus Aircraft is proud to work with United Aviate Academy to provide the next generation of United Airlines pilots with a fleet of advanced training aircraft built with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. For over 30 years, Cirrus Aircraft has been at the forefront of numerous industry safety innovations and maintains a safety rating well above the industry average,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “Together, we are introducing more people to aviation and providing new opportunities for underrepresented populations by removing barriers and supporting new programs like United Aviate Academy.”

United Aviate Academy’s year-long training program at Phoenix Goodyear Airport sets up students for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. The Academy is part of United’s industry-leading pilot career development program, which offers aspiring and established pilots the most direct path to a United flight deck. Within the next decade, United aims to hire more than 10,000 pilots and train about 5,000 aspiring pilots to aviation through the Academy.

To learn more about the SR Series TRAC20, please visit cirrusaircraft.com/fleet.

About Cirrus Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 14 million hours, and 230 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has six locations in the United States, including Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; and Greater Orlando, Florida. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com.

“United is thrilled to have chosen the Cirrus TRAC SR20 as the single-engine training aircraft for our United Aviate Academy. It reflects our commitment to preparing our future Captains using cutting-edge technology and safety systems,” said Curtis Brunjes, United’s Managing Director for Aviate and Pilot Strategy. “Cirrus Aircraft has been an innovative force in general aviation and we are proud to partner as we lead our industry developing the next generation of pilots.” 

United Aviate Academy’s (Westwind School of Aeronautics Phoenix, LLC) year-long training program at Phoenix Goodyear Airport sets up students for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. The Academy is part of United’s industry-leading pilot career development program, which offers aspiring and established pilots the most direct path to a United flight deck. Within the next decade, United aims to hire more than 10,000 pilots and introduce aviation to about 5,000 new pilots through the Academy. 

Designed to be the ultimate training platform, the technologically-advanced TRAC Series boasts an impressive list of features and capabilities that complement the SR20 aircraft’s stable flight characteristics. The integrated Garmin® Perspective+ flight deck includes two large flight displays, a Flight Management System (FMS) keypad controller, an Electronic Stability and Protection system as well as integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems – all features found on today’s advanced airliners. 

“The TRAC SR20 is the preferred aircraft for ab-initio airline pilot training, with its advanced flight management system and hazard avoidance features, the aircraft offers a training platform with capabilities that prepare students for the transport category jets that United Aviate students will fly during their airline careers,” said David Moser, Vice President of Fleet and Special Mission Sales for Cirrus Aircraft. 

The interior was designed to meet the unique needs of a high-utilization training environment, replacing the luxury materials found in the SR Series with a durable all-weather floor liner and easy to clean wear-resistant seats. The spacious cabin provides an optimal workspace to learn and train, with more space than typical training aircraft, rear seats for additional students or observers and optional air conditioning for comfort in all seasons. The TRAC Series includes the TRAC20, TRAC22, and TRAC22T. 

Additionally, the TRAC Series features a durable all-composite airframe structure with the signature Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), making the TRAC Series one of the safest and most versatile training airplanes available today. The TRAC Series is further enhanced by a wide array of interactive, tailored flight training content through Cirrus Approach, including online courses, engaging videos and the award-winning iFOM (interactive Flight Operations Manual) for convenient learning anywhere in the world. 

Cirrus Aircraft is also developing a digital fleet management solution leveraging the onboard Cirrus IQ system to provide UAA with deeper insight into their flight data for safety and operational efficiency. 

About Cirrus Aircraft 

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, as well as the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 13 million hours and 220 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company now has seven locations in Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; Greater Orlando, Florida; and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com. 

TRAINING PARTNERS

2021 Cirrus Approach Safety Award

Bill Frank

2021 Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) of the Year – North America

John Fiscus, The Flight Academy

2021 Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) of the Year – Export

Michael Hochenrieder

2021 Cirrus Training Center (CTC) of the Year – North America

Pilotsmith

2021 Cirrus Training Center (CTC) of the Year – Export 

Cirrus South Africa

2021 Cirrus President’s Award

The Flight Academy

2021 Referral Source of the Year

Mike Goulian Aviation

SERVICE PARTNERS

Team Player Award

Lone Mountain Las Vegas

Team Player Award

General Enterprises

Team Player Award

Sarasota Avionics and Maintenance

2021 Parts, Accessories and Upgrades

America Do Sul Services

2021 Service Center of the Year

Woodland Aviation

Locate a Cirrus training or service partner near you here.

Now through the end of the year, the Cirrus Approach SR Series Takeoffs and Landings flight training course is complimentary to those who register. Takeoffs and Landings provides in-depth, digital instruction on procedures to ensure every takeoff and landing is safe, predictable and repeatable.

Cirrus Approach is an award-winning flight training program offering a diverse catalog of instructional video courses to anyone interested in earning their private pilot license or for the seasoned pilot to hone their skills. Through Takeoffs and Landings, Cirrus offers 10 real-world lessons during five hours of online training from preflight preparation to proper maneuver execution. Pilots learn about stabilized approach, crosswinds and slips, short-field takeoff and landing, night operations, abnormal or emergency considerations and more. The course is created for all pilots to help maximize the safety, performance and utility of an aircraft.

Nearly 50% of all aircraft incidents occur during the final descent and landing while nearly 15% of incidents occur during takeoffs and initial climb. With Takeoffs and Landings, Cirrus Aircraft helps ensure pilots are prepared and master the skills necessary for safe takeoffs and landings.

“We are excited to share Takeoffs and Landings with our growing personal aviation community around the world,” said Rob Haig, Vice President of Flight Training and Chief Pilot of Cirrus Aircraft. “Safety remains the cornerstone of our ethos; therefore, we are offering this course complimentary to all. This informative, step-by-step program helps equip pilots with invaluable knowledge for their journey and throughout their flying lifetime.”

Register to redeem the Cirrus Approach Takeoffs and Landings course here.

About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, as well as the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 13 million hours and 220 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS® as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company will have six locations in the United States in early 2022, located in Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; McKinney, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; and Greater Orlando, Florida.