Air Force Academy Buying 25 Cirrus SR20 Trainers

Cirrus Aircraft has received a vote of confidence from the U.S. Air Force in the form of a fleet order for 25 single-engine SR20s for the Air Force Academy's cadet training program. The Academy will take delivery of the airplanes — designated as T-53A trainers in the customized configuration — starting this summer and continuing through 2012.

"We're honored to have been chosen by the Air Force Academy for its airmanship training requirements," said Jon Dauplaise, Cirrus vice president of domestic sales. "The Academy's Powered Flight Program gives its cadets tremendous in-flight experience and is potentially the first step in an Air Force pilot career.”

The contract is notable because it comes on the heels of Cirrus’s sale to CAIGA, a large Chinese aircraft manufacturing consortium. "This fleet of new aircraft confirms the U.S. Air Force's confidence in Cirrus and is another notable step forward in the growth of our global training aircraft efforts," Dauplaise said.

Lt. Colonel Brad Oliver with the academy's 557th Flying Training Squadron said the Air Force had been studying potential trainer fleet replacement aircraft for more than a year. "The T-53A meets or exceeds all of our performance and operational criteria and is very well-suited to our mission,” he said. “And, while we hope never to have need of it, our cadets and instructors will now have the option of 'pulling the 'chute' if it's needed."

Each aircraft delivered to the Air Force Academy will be equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), airbag seatbelts, integrated fuselage roll cage, cuffed wing design, Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics and other active and passive safety systems and features.

The value of the purchase is approximately $6.1 million. The new fleet of T-53A trainers will be based at the Academy Airfield in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Comments (5) Post a comment

All Comments

Submitted by Captain Ray on July 08, 2011.

These pampered "cadets" get enough flight training as it is without this rather expensive stage. But nothing for the best for the best even though year after year the record of retention after intial service commitments is rather dismal. Of all the sources of officers for the Air Force the Air Force Academy graduates have the least retentiion rates. When pencil meets papers a 20 year career for an Academy graduate is the most expensive. From an exclusive Academy, all types of flight training (gliders, powered flight, summer training/experiences in Air Force aircraft) to ground training (materials, personnel, computers, software, etc.) to support (mechanics, parts, fuel) this program is just not worth the money for the products produced. It also gives the graduates an unfair advantange in pilot training allowing a higher rate of advancement to fighters (the plum choice of graduates) which allows a higher rate of promotions. All in all, this sacred cow of the military, IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE WAY TO PRODUCE PILOTS which then leave.

60%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by thans625 on July 08, 2011.

SR20's
There goes more money into the chinese coffers what idots we have in the government agencies. Does it not make one wander just as soon as the deal is struck to sell Cirrus to the chinese the government buys 20 airplanes from them. There are many other airplanes that have the same specs as Cirrus that would have benifited GA in in America totally. Not one that sends all profits back to China.

100%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by gwalston on July 08, 2011.

While buying Cirrus immediately after sale of the company to a Chinese firm isn't the smartest thing USAF has done, I am interested in the claims that Capt Ray made regarding the retention rates of AFA officers versus other sources of commission holders like AFROTC or OTS. Is it fact or opinion? Sounds like Capt Ray has some sour grapes about the AFA cadets having a distinct advantage. While they do, there is a rigorous screening process that permits the Air Force to select the best high school graduates each year and grow them through a grueling academic and physical program to become superior graduates, much like Annapolis or West Point. I was an AFROTC graduate who recognized that an academy graduate has a natural leg up for the career, but I also recognized how hard these great young people had worked to get there. As far as an aircraft for the Academy is concerned, a glass cockpit, composite aircraft as a starting point for the flying business is exactly what I'd expect for the aviators of the future. Whether that was a Cirrus built in Minnesota or a Cessna 400 built in Kansas, I'm sure they have a great aircraft to start a career.

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by oldthudman on July 10, 2011.

The USAF should terminate that contract ASAP......Cessna has a very similar plane that can be used instead.......

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by hussain m shehu on July 20, 2011.

Gentlemen while am not argueing the relative advantages academy graduates have over others lets not forget the cirrus is made in the USA with all the attendent benefits albeit under chinese ownership.