The Cirrus Design SR20 has received certification from the new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), becoming the first US general aviation aircraft to be cleared by the agency for importation into Europe.
The 150kW (200hp) single-piston SR20's certification process was started under the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) in April 1999, and EASA says the aircraft was was re-submitted in September last year following design changes introduced earlier in 2003, including enhanced stall characteristics and advanced avionics.
The EASA type-certificate validates the certification process performed by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
EASA describes the certification work over the past six months as "intense". The SR20 is the first aircraft equipped with a ballistic parachute system to be approved for use in Europe. "EASA certification is a significant milestone for us," says Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus executive vice-president product strategy.
Source: Flight International
