The Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association is busy planning their annual “Migration” to Cirrus Design headquarters in Duluth and they’re hoping the company has something new to show them. Last year, Cirrus owners who put a deposit on “the-jet” got the first look at the mock-up at the event and this year COPA hopes they’ll be seeing the prototype fly. “While there are no guarantees, many COPA members think the chances are good that Migration attendees will be the first to see not only the mock-up but hopefully the first flying Cirrus jet – in person,” says COPA’s newsletter.
It should be noted that Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier told a news conference at EBACE 2008 in Geneva last month that the prototype, which is nearing completion in Duluth, will be flown on the test pilots’ schedule and there will be no pressure to rush the testing to make promotional deadlines. At the same time, he’s openly stated his hope that the plane will be ready to show at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. Since it has to be flown for 25 hours before it can be taken from Duluth, where it will be test flown, the timing of the COPA Migration from July 10 to July 13 (about two weeks later than last year) seems strangely coincidental. Stay tuned …
