Cirrus Aircraft has opened an Innovation Center, located at its headquarters at the Duluth International airport in Minnesota. The Innovation Center is dedicated to the development of the next-generation innovation that supports Cirrus Aircraft's products and services while preserving the mission they serve and making personal aviation more approachable.

Cirrus Aircraft has provided significant investment to transform the 189,000sq ft building on 39 acres. Innovation Center capabilities include a larger and more capable material and processes lab, a new integration test lab, an upgraded advanced design and development lab, and new environmental equipment and testing capabilities as well as significant floor space increase for development and testing. Additionally, it features flexible and collaborative workspaces and amenities to provide an optimal team environment.

“These new facilities and capabilities enable our engineers, technicians and researchers to more rapidly design, develop and certify our next generation of Cirrus products in a connected, synergetic environment,” says Ken Harness, senior vice president of product development.

“The Innovation Center is an incredible company milestone that supports the future development and endeavours of Cirrus Aircraft product development,” says CEO Zean Nielsen. “We are continuing to invest in the company and the City of Duluth with the Innovation Center opening. We have worked closely with our partners to renovate the building and hire more engineers and technicians to join the new facility.”

Over 30 engineers and technicians have been added since 2022, bringing the total number at the Innovation Center to over 300 people.