Cirrus Aircraft Partners with OpenAirplane
Duluth, Minn. (16 October 2014) – Cirrus Aircraft today announced a new collaboration with OpenAirplane to make private aviation more valuable for pilots and operators of Cirrus aircraft across the U.S.
“Cirrus has always been focused on enhancing the value proposition of personal aviation. We’re excited to be working with the team at Cirrus Aircraft to grow our network and deliver a great experience to more pilots,” said Rod Rakic, Co-Founder at OpenAirplane.
Pilots who participate in Cirrus factory approved training will be offered rental credentials for the same model of Cirrus, without the hassle and expense of another checkout. After creating a profile on OpenAirplane and having their documentation verified, pilots will be ready to fly with operators in the network. OpenAirplane will continue to collaborate with Cirrus to align operations with the proven training program, Cirrus Approach™, to continually increase safety and utility for both pilots and operators. Cirrus Training Centers (CTCs) who join the OpenAirplane network will also enjoy special promotion in the application’s interface.
“OpenAirplane is poised to make flying and operating a Cirrus even more valuable,” commented Travis Klumb, Director of Flight Standards, Operations and Customer Experience at Cirrus Aircraft. “By integrating OpenAirplane into Cirrus Approach, we can help more pilots get access to more planes in more locations. Working with OpenAirplane, Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilots (CSIPs) can now offer training that comes with the added benefit of access to a network of the same model aircraft across the country.
”CTCs and CSIPs have been personally trained and evaluated by training specialists at Cirrus headquarters and follow the same training programs that Cirrus uses during factory flight instruction. All are held to the same high standards of excellence that Cirrus uses for flight training.
“We’re excited to be participating in the OpenAirplane network. Making more planes available to more pilots is important to growing aviation,” commented Mike Goulian, Red Bull Air Race and Champion Aerobatic pilot and Principal at Executive Flyers Aviation flight school, a CTC at Hanscom Field (KBED) near Boston.
OpenAirplane allows flight schools, FBOs, flying clubs and individual owners who join the OpenAirplane network to easily verify a pilot’s qualifications and training in each model aircraft. Pilots will have access to more aircraft with a nationwide footprint without the expense and hassle normally associated with renting away from their home airport. With over 8,000 pilots from around the U.S. signed up to fly, OpenAirplane continues to recruit the best flight schools, FBOs and flying clubs in the business. OpenAirplane offers operators a way to make fleets more profitable. OpenAirplane’s first of its kind reputation system brings transparency to both sides of the rental transaction. OpenAirplane is now live at over 70 locations across the U.S., with a network offering over 250 airplanes and a growing number of them being the popular SR20 and SR22 aircraft from Cirrus, this partnership is a natural fit. Pilots who wish to begin flying with OpenAirplane can sign up for free at www.OpenAirplane.com.
Operators who would like to learn more about offering their aircraft for rent through OpenAirplane can learn more by visiting http://operators.OpenAirplane.com or calling +1.312.436.1018.
About OpenAirplane
Established in May 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, OpenAirplane makes everyone’s pilot certificate more useful. The company offers a commerce platform for private aviation to make it easy to find, book, fly and pay for aircraft rental online or through a mobile device. OpenAirplane helps operators to get better utilization of their fleets and helps pilots fly more.
About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all- composite line of personal aircraft – the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T – incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed six million flight hours with 96 lives saved as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50 jet, with over 550 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA). For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.
SOURCE: Cirrus Aircraft