While business jet demand continues to exceed supply, piston manufacturers have noticed a significant softening of the market this year. Cirrus Designs new Chief Operating Officer Brent Wouters told AVweb in a podcast interview that the current economic downturn and declines on financial markets have hit his sector noticeably. People are feeling less rich, he said. Rather than simply discount prices, Cirrus has taken an automotive industry approach and launched an ambitious incentive program that covers scheduled maintenance for two years or 600 hours, whichever comes first. Wouters said Cirrus has been planning the maintenance program for some time as part of the companys ongoing effort to change the way people think about owning airplanes.
Wouters said many aircraft owners want to be able to get in their planes and go without spending weekends tinkering. The maintenance program ensures the aircraft is in top condition and ready to go. The program is expected to improve safety, too. It covers all recommended maintenance, plus the replacement of parts that wear out due to normal wear and tear.
