Dec. 21--Cirrus Aircraft has been known for producing firsts in the air service industry that have become examples for other companies to follow, CEO and co-founder Dale Klapmeier said Tuesday.
The business that manufactures parts in Grand Forks for small aircraft for commercial use showed off a new innovation: the Vision Jet, the world's first single-engine personal jet.
"This is a product that does change this industry," Klapmeier said. "We talk about a lot of evolutionary products. This is revolutionary. This changes the way we think of travel. It changes the way we fly."
The first jet produced by the company was on display Tuesday at the Grand Forks International Airport as local leaders and Cirrus employees who built the craft celebrated the milestone.
The jet will go to the Joe Whisenhunt family of Conway, Ark., who told the crowd Cirrus builds the best quality parts that can be put into an aircraft. Whisenhunt has purchased 11 aircraft from Cirrus -- counting the Vision Jet -- and has put in a 12th order for another plane, he said as the crowd applauded.
"The product since the first product I got has been better and better and safer and safer," he said, adding the aircraft he has purchased has allowed his business to grow. "You all are building the safest aircraft there is today, and I never hesitate to put my family in one."
The $1.96 million Vision Jet has been about 15 years in the making, Klapmeier said. It can hit speeds of 300 knots or 345 mph.
Cirrus has 200 employees in Grand Forks who make the parts for its planes. Those parts are then shipped to Duluth, wher 800 employees assemble the parts, said Ben Kowalski, vice president of marketing and communications for Cirrus.
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., spoke on how some doubted a product like the one Cirrus produces could come from Grand Forks, but those who stood behind Cirrus knew it could succeed in Grand Forks if North Dakota and Grand Forks invested in the business. She commended Cirrus for not only for making the jet but for taking the time to tap into "the best quality workforce in America," referring to the employees at the event.
"Every one of you should be so enormously proud of what you produced because it is not only critical to maintain this industry in our region and in our state, but it is a piece of innovation that years from now people will say, 'Remember when they did that in Grand Forks?'" she said.
The event also was a first for North Dakota Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, who took office last week. He said he and Gov. Doug Burgum are looking forward to overseeing more events in which they celebrate innovative products such as Cirrus, adding the delivery of the Vision Jet means continued job opportunities and economic stimulus in the Grand Forks area.
"Our future is very bright and no matter how many milestones are reached, no matter how many successes we achieve, you better believe that North Dakota will continue to work to be one of the top players in aviation and we have companies like Cirrus to thank in their part in that," Sanford said.
Cirrus has seen strides in growth since it first opened its Grand Forks facility in 1997, Klapmeier said, adding the Vision Jet helps the company grow even further.
Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown said the city and Cirrus have worked together to produce innovative aircraft products for the world. He called Cirrus Aircraft a company that fits perfectly into the landscape of Grand Forks, adding the city looks forward to celebrating future endeavors from Cirrus.
"What a beautiful plane made right here in Grand Forks," Brown said. "We are a community on the cutting edge. ... In Grand Forks, you can fly further, faster and higher because we believe in each other and work with each other."
