GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 21, 2020 ― The MICHELIN® PILOT® aircraft tire has been selected as original equipment for Cirrus Aircraft ─ the world’s leading manufacturer of piston aircraft. The Cirrus SR Series aircraft (including the SR20, SR22 and turbo-charged SR22T) and the new Cirrus Trac training aircraft will be equipped with PILOT, tires for the nose and main fitments. Cirrus had been using the MICHELIN Air tire and now will switch to the PILOT tire on its line of globally distributed aircraft.
“Cirrus represents the pinnacle in technological leadership in the world of aeronautical mobility,” said Robert Sevener, Michelin global lead, general aviation tires. “Being selected as the tire of choice for Cirrus Aircraft is a proud achievement for Michelin.”
The MICHELIN PILOT is a top-of-the-line, ultra-high-performance bias tire for piston and turboprop aircraft, designed to provide extra-long tire life, exceptional tread life and all-weather protection. The PILOT tire is crafted with highly durable rubber compounds, a natural contour carcass and improved durability and resistance to foreign object damage. With a 21% deeper skid depth, the tire achieves more takeoffs and landings, which is important for flight-training aircraft such as the Cirrus Trac.
The tire’s exclusive manufacturing process creates built-in balance for smooth taxiing and even tire wear, helping to provide true-track taxi, takeoffs and landings for propeller-driven aircraft. Long-term ozone and UV light protections within the tire provide all-weather protection. The two wide grooves in the tire tread evacuate water efficiently and resist hydroplaning on wet runways.
“Flight training schools can experience dozens of student landings per week. The Cirrus Trac is equipped with a safe and robust tire ideal for flight training,” Sevener said.
The following PILOT tire sizes and part numbers for the Cirrus SR series and Trac planes will be:
15x6.0-6/6/160 Main 025-501-0
5.00-5/6/160 Nose 025-309-0
Cirrus Aircraft’s first high-performance SR Series aircraft was delivered in 1999 and immediately transformed personal aviation with intuitive avionics, game-changing performance and revolutionary safety systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. Over the years the Cirrus Aircraft has continued to revolutionize personal aviation, including in 2016, when the company ushered in a new era in personal transportation with the introduction of the world’s first single-engine personal jet, the Vision Jet.
Introducing the world’s first radial aircraft tire in 1981, Michelin manufactures a broad line of radial and bias-ply aircraft tires for commercial, regional, military and general-aviation aircraft. Michelin is a trusted partner for original-equipment manufacturers and equips over half of all new general-aviation aircraft. For more information on Michelin Aircraft tires, visit Michelin Air. For more information on Cirrus Aircraft, visit cirrusaircraft.com.