Cirrus Design flew its production prototype SR20 single-engined light aircraft on 3 June and is now hoping to receive US certification by the end of this year.
The second and final prototype (C2), which will be the primary aircraft for testing the fuel, avionics and electrical systems, reached 135kt (250km) and 5,500ft (1,680m) during a 30min flight.
The Duluth, Minnesota-based manufacturer now has 151 orders for the Textron Lycoming IO-360-powered SR20, for which first deliveries are planned by the end of the year. In the first full year of production, Cirrus plans to produce between 70 and 100 aircraft, "...ramping up to about 300 in the second year and around 500 aircraft in our fifth year of production", the manufacturer claims.
Cirrus is looking at setting up several maintenance and service centres, initially for the domestic market. "We are hoping to receive European certification once we have addressed the necessary technical requirements. After all about 25% of our sales are from this region," says Cirrus.
Source: Flight International
