Dale and Alan Klapmeier. Photo by Chris Miller

Cirrus founders Alan and Dale Klapmeier will receive the Freedom of Flight Award tonight at the Theater in the Woods for their advancements in aircraft design, safety, and innovation through the years. EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award is the organization’s highest honor, bestowed annually to an individual whose contributions to aviation closely mirror the integrity, entrepreneurship, and innovativeness of EAA members.

Founded in 1984, Cirrus Design began as a kit airplane design and manufacturing company in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where the brothers began building their first aircraft in their parent’s barn using their own design, the VK-30. Like many entrepreneurs, Alan and Dale faced financial obstacles in their quest to build a company from the ground up. Fortunately for Cirrus lovers today, the two partnered with investors who believed their innovative ideas had the potential to change the aviation world.

In 1994, Alan and Dale moved the company’s headquarters to a larger facility in Duluth, Minnesota, and began research and development of the SR20, a four-passenger, single-engine composite aircraft. The SR20, with composite construction and advanced aerodynamics, was awarded FAA type certification in 1998. It incorporates flat-panel, multi-function display technology and state-of-the-art safety innovations, including a final level of protection known as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System.

"Alan and Dale have made significant contributions to the GA community. Their first plane, the VK-30, has grown to become an inspiration to GA," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "This award recognizes their spirit and focus on quality, customer needs, as well as their attempts to reach out and expand the aviation marketplace. Through their efforts Cirrus Design has grown aviation."

Cirrus added more speed and performance to the SR20 by creating the next generation model—the SR22. It was FAA certificated in 2000 and is today the industry’s best-selling model. In April 2007, generation three of the SR22 made its debut and shook up the general aviation industry yet again. With nearly 700 changes and systems improvements, the SR22-G3 represents the culmination of virtually everything Cirrus has learned about engineering and design.

"Dale and I are honored to be this year’s recipients of EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award. So much of what Cirrus is today can be attributed to what we learned through our experiences with EAA. Our roots are in EAA, which makes this honor even more important to us," Alan said.

"Alan and I owe a lot to EAA. Those are the folks that encouraged our designs and fostered our dream to become airplane builders," Dale said.

Cirrus continues to expand its product offerings with the announcement of its plans to develop a new class of personal jet aircraft. Designed to be a logical transition for pilots of the SR22, "the-jet" made its proof-of-concept debut June 28.

Having received numerous accolades and awards for its innovations and contributions to the advancement of the general aviation industry, Cirrus Design has truly marked the journey of two brothers’ dreams turned reality. For more information on Cirrus Design visit www.CirrusDesign.com.