Cirrus Aircraft Offers Perspective Global Connect™ on All Aircraft Models in 2012

Integrated Worldwide Weather, Satellite Phone and Text Messaging Features Now Available

News provided by

Jan 25, 2012, 02:26 ET

DULUTH, Minn., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New for 2012, all models of Cirrus Aircraft can now be equipped with Perspective Global Connect, an avionics enhancement that contributes to an already feature-rich cockpit. Perspective Global Connect provides access to the on-demand Iridium® satellite network to obtain global communications and data. Perspective Global Connect is fully integrated with the Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® cockpit and may be used in combination with any aircraft options. Features include: worldwide weather, satellite phone and text messaging capabilities.

Perspective Global Connect utilizes the Garmin GSR 56 LRU (Line Replaceable Unit) and features worldwide weather data including Meteorological Aviation Reports (METARs) that provide current temperature, dew points, precipitation, wind speed and more; as well as Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFS) that show predicted weather for up to 30 hours in advance. Other features include RADAR, Satellite, Lightning, PIREPs, SIGMETs and Winds Aloft. High-resolution radar imagery will be immediately available for Western Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S. that displays in full color on Garmin screens. More complete weather products are expected to be available throughout the world.

Integrated into the Cirrus Perspective audio system are phone capabilities in which phone calls can be made, while in-flight, enabling the pilot and/or passengers to speak and listen directly through headsets. Coupled with the all new GMA 350 audio panel, private phone calls can be available for the pilot, co-pilot or rear-seat passengers. In addition, text messaging allows the pilot and passengers to send and receive text messages through the Cirrus Perspective system and displayed on the large MFD display regardless of location. This feature enables the pilot and passengers to have constant communication with those on the ground.

"Never before have these communication technologies been available to the general aviation pilot," said Dale Klapmeier, Co-founder and CEO. "Now Cirrus customers around the world can get access to graphical weather like pilots have had in North America for the past several years. When it comes to safety, graphical weather information is as important as the parachute. And now you can also call or text the FBO, your spouse or a business colleague while in flight. These new cockpit capabilities continue to reinforce that Cirrus is the leader in bringing real new capability into the cockpit."

For more information on worldwide weather coverage features visit cirrusaircraft.com and https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/gfds-weather/.

About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all-composite line of personal aircraft — the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T — incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin^® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed five million flight hours with 51 lives saved to date as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50 jet, with nearly 500 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd (CAIGA). For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.

SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft