The future of personal aviation is soaring to new heights in Minnesota. Cirrus Aircraft, a renowned personal aviation name, celebrated its Innovation Center’s grand opening at the Duluth International Airport. This new facility promises to set the stage for the next generation of aviation innovation by Cirrus.
Pioneering Personal Aviation
Situated on an expansive 39 acres, the Innovation Center spans an impressive 189,000-square-foot area. But it’s not just about size. The center represents a significant investment in reimagining aviation capabilities. It boasts an advanced Material and Processes Lab, a state-of-the-art Integration Test Lab, an upgraded Advanced Design and Development Lab, and the latest environmental equipment and testing capabilities. The added floor space further augments the center’s development and testing prowess.
Cirrus Aircraft’s mission has always been to make personal aviation more approachable. With this in mind, the Innovation Center is not just a facility; it’s a haven for collaboration. Flexible workspaces, modern amenities, and a team-centric environment foster the spirit of innovation that Cirrus Aircraft is known for.
Ken Harness, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Cirrus Aircraft, shares the vision, stating, “These new facilities and capabilities enable our engineers, technicians, and researchers to more rapidly design, develop, and certify our next generation of Cirrus products in a connected, synergetic environment.”
Investing in Duluth and Beyond
Cirrus Aircraft’s commitment isn’t limited to innovation alone. Zean Nielsen, the CEO, emphasizes the company’s investment in the broader community. “The Innovation Center is an incredible company milestone that supports future development and endeavors of Cirrus Aircraft product development,” he said. The partnership with the City of Duluth has been pivotal. The renovated building now houses over 300 employees, with 30 new engineers and technicians joining the team since 2022.
For those looking to be part of this journey, Cirrus Aircraft is eager to have people passionate about aviation join their team. More details are available at www.cirrusaircraft.com/careers.
About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is a beacon in personal aviation, manufacturers of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s inaugural single-engine Personal Jet™. Their achievements include the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. Since its foundation in 1984, the company has pushed the boundaries of aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – a pioneering FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system.
With over 15 million hours of global flight on Cirrus aircraft, the CAPS system has ensured 250 individuals returned safely to their loved ones. Cirrus Aircraft has a significant presence across the US. That includes locations in Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; and many more.
To discover more about Cirrus Aircraft and its contributions to aviation, visit cirrusaircraft.com.