Cirrus Design began in 1984 as a kit airplane design and manufacturing company in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Our first plane, the VK-30, became an inspiration for developing technologically advanced production aircraft.

In 1994, it moved headquarters to larger facilities in Duluth, Minnesota and began research and development of the SR20, a four-passenger, single-engine composite aircraft. In 1995, we were contracted by Israviation to develop, design and build the "proof of concept" prototype of the turboprop ST50. A year later, we manufactured the fuselage, wings and empennage of a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) for the U.S. Department of Defence, using composite technology in all three components.

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 defence known as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).