Cirrus Aircraft's innovative SF50 Vision jet has won the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy, beating out many other nominations including the US Air Force, Boeing and NASA.
The Collier Trophy is awarded annually by the USA's National Aeronautics Association (NAA) to a person, company or project that has made a significant achievement in aeronautics or astronautics, and is considered the most prestigious aviation award in the USA.
Cirrus won the Collier this year for developing the world's first single-engined personal jet and implementing the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) on the jet.
“For more than a century, the Collier Trophy has recognized the greatest achievements in aviation in America,” said Greg Principato, NAA President and Chief Executive Officer. “By revolutionizing general and personal aviation, Cirrus Aircraft, with their Vision Jet, has added to a great and historic Collier legacy.
"We at the National Aeronautic Association congratulate them on their achievement and look forward to the presentation of the Collier Trophy on June 14.”
Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft Co-founder and CEO, said winning the Collier was a huge deal for the company.
“At Cirrus Aircraft we are honored and humbled to be awarded the 2017 Collier Trophy and to even be mentioned among the giants in aviation and space research that have won before us.
“The arrival of the Vision Jet has forever changed general aviation and personal transportation and the 2017 Collier Trophy is dedicated to all of our employees and partners who have been a part of the development, production and now delivery of this game-changing airplane."
The Collier Trophy was first awarded in 1911. Previous winners include the Apollo 11 crew, Boeing, Cessna, Eclipse Aviation, Chuck Yeager, BAe Systems, Pan Am, Lockheed's "Skunk Works" and Orville Wright.