Dale Klapmeier named Cirrus Aircraft CEO

Cirrus Aircraft has appointed co-founder Dale Klapmeier as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Klapmeier replaces former Cirrus President and CEO Brent Wouters, who held the position since December 2008 but is no longer with the company.

Dale Klapmeier and brother Alan founded Cirrus in 1984; the latter left the manufacturer in August 2009.

“At Cirrus, we are passionate about airplanes and flying, and I am passionate about this company,” Klapmeier said in accepting his new role. “Along with our new owners [China’s state-owned CAIGA], our commitment is stronger than ever to the same goals and ideals that we had when we started the company more than 25 years ago.

“That goal is to make the dream of flight a reality for more people, both in the US and around the world. Today we are at the beginning of the next chapter of the reinvention of personal transportation.”

For nearly 10 years in a row, the Cirrus SR22 family of aircraft have been the best-selling four-place airplane in the world. CAIGA acquired Cirrus in March of this year and is said to be highly interested in fast-tracking the Cirrus Vision SF50 personal jet program.