First Europe, Then Beyond?

Cirrus Aircraft announced Wednesday that UK-based Britten-Norman will now provide final re-assembly of SR20 and SR22 aircraft slated for delivery to European customers. 

Britten-Norman, located in Southern England, will perform final Cirrus aircraft re-assemblies -- including wing and tail attachment -- initially for European customers, before potentially looking to other geographic markets in the future. The project will be overseen by Britten-Norman's recently created Aero Composites arm.

"We are delighted to have reached this agreement with one of Europe’s best known and highly respected aircraft manufacturers," said John M. Bingham, Cirrus Executive Vice-President of Sales & Marketing. "This arrangement brings many new advantages to our European-based customers, with the principle feature that their new airplane will no longer have to endure the rigors of a trans-Atlantic ferry flight as part of the delivery process."

Britten-Norman has over 40 years of experience in the manufacture, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of light aircraft. Flights will operate from the Britten-Norman airport facility at Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight, UK.

David Coleal, Cirrus Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer said, "Cirrus is excited to now have the opportunity to deliver our airplanes to European customers as if they were coming straight from the Minnesota-based factory. The value that this collaboration with Britten-Norman provides for the customer is that each plane will arrive after only amassing a few hours of flight time and engine hours versus the 30-40 required for a ferry flight, plus a reduction in overall wear-and-tear."

Cirrus aircraft bound for Europe will be fully assembled in the US, according to Bingham, and will receive their US Certificate of Airworthiness. The planes will then be partially disassembled and crated in specially-designed shipping containers, before being sent overseas to Britten-Norman.

"Every detail has been addressed to assure that the planes are kept in pristine condition during shipment," added Coleal. "We’ve even installed accelerometers into the containers to keep us informed if the shipment should be disturbed in any way."

Britten-Norman Group Executive Chief William Hynett said, "We have already processed the first pilot plane of this joint venture and everything in the re-assembly process worked perfectly. We will begin customer aircraft assemblies commencing in January of 2006 and are projecting 100 planes for the first year."

To date, Cirrus has delivered 250 planes to customers on the European continent, according to the Duluth, MN-based manufacturer. Additionally, in the past eighteen months Cirrus has increased their European sales centers from three to twelve.

"Europe is key for Cirrus as our airplanes are a natural fit for the wide cross-section of uses and requirements demanded by their marketplace," said Bingham.

Britten-Norman is the UK’s only commercial aircraft manufacturer, producing and supplying some well-known and highly-regarded aircraft –- the famous Britten-Norman Islander (file photo at right), Trislander and Defender 4000.

FMI: www.britten-norman.com, www.cirrusdesign.com