Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Jim Klapmeier gives Cirrus a thumbs up as he stands with his nephew, Dale Klapmeier at Key Air during the presentation of the new Vision Jet. Jim Klapmeier gives Cirrus a thumbs up as he stands with his nephew, Dale Klapmeier at Key Air during the presentation of the new Vision Jet. Jim Klapmeier gives Cirrus a thumbs up as he stands with his nephew, Dale Klapmeier at Key Air during the presentation of the new Vision Jet.
Regional Sales Director Gary Black waves a friendly hello as he and Cirrus Regional Training Manager, Keith Smith (behind trio of men) escort new arrivals to the Cirrus event at the Key Air Hangar at Anoka County Blaine Airport in late August.
Jennifer and Ryan Lake from Blaine await the Vision Jet fly-by.
Daniel Cheung of ATC and Tony Yung of Merrill Lynch check out the Vision Jet.
Tracy Lovness, Torben Kiese, Pat Kluempke chat at the Cirrus event.
Looking very much like an upcoming owner of a Vision personal Jet, William Sweeney (13) exits from a tour. Photo by C.M. Swanson
C.M. Swanson
On a warm Sunday evening in late August, one of Key Air's hangars at Anoka County Airport looked like a movie set. In actuality, it was more exciting than that. Folks gathered from all around to see, feel, and touch the SF50, a personal jet recently unveiled by Cirrus.
Ryan and Jennifer Lake from Blaine were among those gathered. The couple currently rents an SR22 but they were curious about the new aircraft.
"We're here just checking out the Vision Jet and the newer SR22 Cirrus aircraft," said Ryan. "It's all I've ever flown, Cirrus. We really like it, especially the availability of the chute if we ever need it."
Ryan said Jennifer likes that added feeling of safety when they go up. Jennifer is not a pilot but she enjoys flying with her husband.
"I ride very well," said Jennifer. "I love it!"
Another guest on the scene was Torben Kiese, Sun Country Airlines pilot who formerly worked with Cirrus as a certified flight instructor. He also delivered Cirrus aircraft to customers, including 25 flights to Europe, and one to China.
"It's a fantastic airplane," said Kiese. "It is literally the new general aviation airplane. If you can imagine what the Klapmeier brothers did in 1999 by basically inventing a new airplane, it would be like you or me trying to invent a new car to try to supplant Ford or BMW or something. I mean, you would be crazy to try.
"In a way, they were crazy to try, but they stuck with it and they did it. I'm glad they did. Actually, thousands of other pilots are very glad they did. It's been a great benefit for the aviation community." As Dale Klapmeier told those gathered, "The Cirrus life is about bringing people together."
Proving his words true, even Klapmeier's Uncle Jim attended to give the company's new Vision Jet a thumbs up.
C.M. Swanson
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