While worldwide sales of general aviation aircraft have softened in 2016, Cirrus Aircraft is off to its strongest start since eight years ago, when the U.S. economy teetered into a recession.

The Duluth-based airplane maker shipped 153 aircraft during the first six months of this year. That’s more than a 30 percent bump in production compared with the same period last year.

And Cirrus’ billings were even more bullish, with sales for the first half of 2016 up more than 35 percent compared with the same period last year.

The company’s robust performance is even more remarkable, considering what’s been happening in the industry. Sales of planes designed for general aviation — or noncommercial civil aviation — are off 11 percent for the first half of this year, compared with the first half of 2015, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Meanwhile, total shipments for the same period slid 4.5 percent.

“We did have a strong first half,” acknowledged Ben Kowalski, vice president of marketing for Cirrus.

But he warned onlookers not to read too much into the early numbers.

“What’s going on here is we’re working to adjust for some of the seasonality we’ve had in past, and we’re working to smooth out some of our deliveries … . So that resulted in us delivering more aircraft to the market in Q2 this year,” Kowalski said.

“We do aim to be up this year, versus last, but not by the percentage that we are for the first half,” he said, predicting slight overall growth. That, in itself, will be an accomplishment, given the state of the industry and the uncertainties in Brazil, Europe, currency issues and the trade implications of pending elections, Kowalski said.

Part of the credit for Cirrus’ strong first half of the year also should go to clearer tax codes that give customers confidence to purchase airplanes, knowing that they will be eligible for the financial benefits of asset depreciation, Kowalski said.

Of course, he also tipped his hat to the concerted efforts of Cirrus’ sales force.

For Cirrus, the start of this year has been its busiest since 2008, when the company churned out 239 airplanes from January through June.

That’s 86 more planes than it sold during the first six months of 2016, but the souped-up aircraft Cirrus delivers to its customers these days fetch much bigger prices. The airplanes Cirrus shipped this year sold for an average of more than $746,000. Meanwhile, the average price of a Cirrus airplane shipped in 2008 was just over $549,000, adjusted for inflation. As faster Cirrus airplanes with more features have moved to market, its customers apparently have been willing to open their wallets wider, paying an average of better than 35 percent more for each bird.

“I think the key is that Cirrus continues to deliver exceptional value to our customers. Each year, we bring new safety technology and comfort enhancements to the aircraft that our customers appreciate, and they recognize that value,” Kowalski said.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/busine ... start-year

Cirrus keeps giving the consumer what they want. This whole airplanes don't need chutes is irrelevant. If the customer wants it, you give it to them. Giving the airplane a 200lbs gross weight increase changed the game for that airplane. It really made it functional for hauling four people...

Yep Cirrus gets it. People that bash the Cirrus dont. Thats what modern GA aircraft look like. Oh Mooney added a second door to their airframe? Big whoop. And the new G36 has a useful load of what 900 lbs?? Everyone else is way behind, and thats why they arent selling airplanes. Cirrus is inovating with exactly what people want, making a modern airplane, not a 1960s airplane with some cosmetic changes.

They do nothing for me design wise or as a desire, but I can only tip my hat off to them as a company. They've captured the need and they're very good at what they do. I hope the SF50 is a huge success.

If only they'd "streeetch" the body to give us a six seater? Maybe move the wing 10" inches and add double doors says the buyer who likes the -36 utility....

Cirrus makes a great airplane. But they are also a great company. They understand, like perhaps no other aviation company in the world, what their customers and potential customers value in an airplane. And they deliver that instead of what they have. Like successful auto companies they have a plan and process for constant improvement and tweaking. What other aviation manufacturer consistently modifies and improves the product? Every year.

I suspect that a large per centage of their new airplane sales each year are to existing customers. Because they nurture them.

I've had the opportunity to deal with sales people of every major manufacturers. None come anywhere close to the Cirrus sales team.

Perhaps most importantly, they redefined what GA and personal airplane transportation means. Unlike legacy manufacturers who refuse to innovate they are doing it again with the Vision Jet. Like any of their planes, or not, it's undeniable what they have accomplished. I suspect that somewhere inside their marketing and engineering departments, or their executive suite, the next innovative plane is already being planned.

At OSH each year, and especially this year, Cirrus is jammed, they are busy and they sell airplanes. No other manufacturer even comes close. This year they booked 42 deposited sales at OSH. Who else even came close?

Cirrus is a great company. I think there are other companies innovating as well.

Diamond has innovated with some apparently reliable diesel engines after the Thielert problems, the came out with the high performing DA42-VI, and now the really spectacular DA62. They are selling a lot of planes, but I still think they are more concentrated on their military and autonomous (UAV) products which sell for millions per unit.

Piper has innovated, and I think it is what keeps them in the game. Their training aircraft still sell well, without a whole lot of innovation, but are all now glass cockpit. They took orders for 140 trainers this year. Their M-class line up is still the most capable in the6 seat category dollar for dollar. The M350 (Mirage) has received substantial upgrades each year since 2009. G1000 in 2010, improved cockpit changes, which have improved the fit for pilots. Widening the cockpit 2-inches, increasing headroom and legroom also 2-3 inches. LED panels. all the latest G1000 upgrades including full envelope protection, level button and automatic AP engagement if the computer detects an out of control pilot. Automatic hypoxia descent. Computer controlled pressurization, The airplane interface now almost completely contained in the G1000 now.

The M500 also captured all those G1000 improvements, put in new internal cosmetics to rival anything in small cabin class.

The M600 was a big upgrade. A business class SETP, 1400+ real nm range, 250 Kt, Vmo, full envelope protection, automatic descent, 6 adult and baggage 800 nm range.

Piper will sell to factory capacity for the next 2 years with their current orders.

Socata has made some nice improvements in the TBM7 series, and has moved way more aircraft than I can understand at 4 mil per unit, but can't argue with their success.

So there are other airframes that are making it. But it is a tough business.

Charles,

Thanks for pointing out those other companies innovations. I think the difference is the combination of all the things I mentioned. Cirrus has achieved an enviable synergy that is rare in any industry.

If I ever spend $746,000 on a plane it will have a turbine engine.

Me too.

But, it won't be new and it won't have anywhere near that nice of panel and autopilot and aesthetics...

Well, actually, I'll never spend that kind of money on a plane....not if I want to have a home and a wife.

Love em or Hate em its a huge market success. (not unlike a Miata I suppose ).
There are a lot of people with the ability to write the check and they choose to buy new and get their Private and IFR ratings in a brand new plane that they can keep for several years and use for work and pleasure.

The fact that this very plane draws people into our aviation fold by its very existence is fantastic.

Tj

Barndoors, 6 seats, a retractable gear and it would be my next plane too.

I just wonder why no one else is really making meaningful advances with their product line up? have they given up on GA?

and it will save you money over your Baron spend......

I don't know if they've given up, but I often dream of a carbon fiber re-work of the Bonanza/Baron.......maybe even nix the pistons for some small Alison type TP's......