Perkin Karunakaran
Cirrus Aircraft

Perkin “Prat” Karunakaran began his flight test career in 2017 as a Flight Test Engineer at Piper Aircraft, serving as an onboard FTE across a range of avionics, systems, and handling qualities development programs on single and multi-engine platforms. He has extensive experience conducting medium- and high-risk flight tests from both the test aircraft and chase aircraft and served as lead FTE during the development and initial certification of the PA-28 Pilot 100i.
Perkin’s flying journey began through the company flying club at Piper Aircraft and he now holds an ATP certificate, and CFI ratings for both single- and multi-engine airplanes. He has accumulated more than 2,200 hours of flight time.
In 2021, Perkin joined Cirrus Aircraft as an FTE, contributing primarily to the SR10 certification efforts. In 2025, he transitioned to the role of Experimental Flight Test Pilot, supporting a wide range of engineering test activities on the SR10, SR22, and SF50 Vision Jet platforms. He holds a type rating in the SF50 Vision Jet and an Experimental Authorization for the Aero L-39 Albatros.

Perkin also serves as the designated Flight Test Safety Officer for Experimental Flight Test at Cirrus Aircraft. He is an active member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) and the Flight Test Safety Committee (FTSC). He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in systems engineering, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.