The 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy, awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America," goes to Cirrus Aircraft, the association announced on Wednesday. The award recognizes the company for "designing, certifying, and entering-into-service the Vision Jet — the world's first single-engine general aviation personal jet aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system." Dale Klapmeier, CEO and co-founder at Cirrus, said the company is "honored and humbled" by the award. He dedicated the award to all the employees and partners who contributed to the airplane's development, production and delivery. "We will celebrate this great honor by continuing to focus on our core mission of creating safer aircraft, safer pilots and safer skies," he said.
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