IntoTheBlueAgain: Visit to the European Cirrus Re-assembly Line

Karen did a great job of organising a social event at Bembridge for Freeflight and friends today.

(JJ photo) Around 30 of us arrived in a half-dozen or more Cirrus and a Cessna 340 - once the morning fog had cleared from the departure airfields across southern England.

(JJ photo) Aero Composites (Britten-Norman Group) were great hosts, providing a tour of the European Cirrus Re-assembly line and their brand new aircraft painting facility.

The Cirrus arrive in containers from the U.S. Anyone fancy one of those boxed prop's for Christmas?

Most recent arrivals N747FC and N854BC. Two more en-route are at Southampton Docks.

SR20 N742PG is bound for Bangledesh. Aero Composites have delivered 41 Cirrus from the line so far in 2008 (77 in 2007).

Seventy three man-hours are scheduled for the re-assembly. Silver SR22 G3 Turbo Perspective N168CP looked ready for imminent delivery.

As did SR20 G3 GTS N173PG, to Cirrus UK I think. Behind is a grand old lady of the skies - a Dragon Rapide - 73-years young.

The Cirrus share the facility with another of the worlds best-selling aircraft - the BN-2 Islander. This ex-Belgiam Air Force is one of several undergoing refurbishment. The first production Islander first flew on 24 April 1967. New-build aircraft are still being produced - we were shown the latest in the new 'paint and bake' facility (which can accomodate aircraft up to DHC-6 Twin Otter size).

(JJ bbq photos) A fantastic BBQ was laid on complete with sunshine before leaving for home (Or Jersey: Vince still can't fly the C340 with the ball centred - but at least his departure looked like he meant to fly a top-side knife-edge climb ;-)

Many thanks to Martyn Clark and father Ron for my ride to Bembridge in N147LK - she was the first Cirrus to be re-assembled by Aero Composites, in February 2006.

Many thanks to our hosts and Karen for a very enjoyable visit!