Cirrus SR22

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SR22
Role Civil utility aircraft
Manufacturer Cirrus Aircraft
Produced 2001 – present
Unit cost US$635,900 (base price: 2013 SR22 GTS with FIKI)[1]

US$724,900 (base price: 2013 SR22T GTS with FIKI)[2]
Cirrus SR22T G3
Cirrus SR22 G2 showing how the doors open
Standard instrument panel with the Avidyne Integra primary flight display
Instrument panel with Perspective avionics

The Cirrus SR22 is a single-engine, four-seat, composite aircraft, built by Cirrus Aircraft starting in 2001. It is a more powerful version of the Cirrus SR20, with a larger wing, higher fuel capacity, and a 310 horsepower (231 kW) engine. It is extremely popular among purchasers of new aircraft and has been the world's best-selling single-engine, four-seat aircraft for several years.[3] Like the Cessna 400, but unlike most other aircraft in its class, the SR22 has fixed (non-retractable) landing gear.

The aircraft is perhaps best known for being equipped with the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS), an emergency parachute capable of lowering the entire aircraft (and occupants) to the ground in an emergency.[4]

Contents

Design and development [edit]

The SR22 was certified in November 2000 and is a higher-powered version of the earlier SR20. The SR22 is a low wing cantilever monoplane of composite construction with tricycle landing gear, featuring a castering nose wheel and steering via differential braking on the main wheels. It is powered by a nose-mounted 310 hp (230 kW) Continental IO-550-N piston engine. The four-seat cabin is accessed through a door on each side.

Turbocharged models [edit]

The first version of the SR22 turbo available uses a Tornado Alley turbonormalizing upgrade kit installed under a Supplemental Type Certificate. It features twin turbonormalizers and twin intercoolers.[5] Also included with the conversion is built-in oxygen and a Hartzell 3-blade light weight composite propeller. The weight of the conversion reduces the SR22's useful load. Air conditioning is available with the SR22 Turbo, but this further reduces the useful load. The turbo version has a certified ceiling of 25,000 feet (7,600 m), a maximum cruise speed of 211 knots (391 km/h), and a top speed of 219 knots (406 km/h).[6][7][8]

Later turbo models, starting in 2010, uses a factory installed Continental TSIO-550K with factory turbo charging that produces 315 hp (235 kW) with a 7.5:1 compression ratio and will run on 94 octane fuel.[9]

Glass cockpit upgrading [edit]

SR22s that were built before 2003 were not equipped with the Avidyne Entegra primary flight display that was standard equipment on later SR22 model years. Retrofits are available for the older aircraft that replace the instrument panels with a new one that will include the PFD, a new multifunction display and the installation of back-up mechanical instruments.[10]

On 22 May 2008, Cirrus Design and Garmin revealed a new kind of cockpit known as the Garmin Perspective.[11] The previously offered Avidyne cockpit remains standard equipment, while the Perspective cockpit is an option on the SR22-GTS and SR22-GTS Turbo models.

Flight into known icing [edit]

The completion of testing for flight into known icing (FIKI) was announced by the company on 12 January 2009. The equipment change involved installation of a larger fluid tank for the TKS weeping wing system and more areas of the aircraft protected. The new installation was approved by the FAA in April 2009.[12][13][14]

Variants [edit]

SR22
Original version
SR22 G2
Improved variant
SR22 G2 Turbo

In July 2006, Cirrus announced a turbo normalized SR22. Some initial models were identified as Signature Edition SE22 G2's.[citation needed]

SR22 G3
Improved variant for 2007 with increased fuel capacity from 81 to 92 U.S. gallons (310 to 350 L; 67 to 77 imp gal), lighter stronger carbon fiber wing spar and redesigned taller landing gear for better prop clearance.[15]
SR22T landing
SR22T
Version introduced in June 2010, with a ground-boosted Continental TSIO-550-K producing 315 hp (235 kW). The engine has low compression pistons, producing a 7.5 to 1 compression ratio to allow the engine to run on lower octane fuel, 94UL.[16][17][18] The SR22T has an increased maximum cruise speed of 214 kn (396 km/h), and empty weight of 2,348 lb (1,065 kg) and a maximum operating altitude of 25,000 ft (7,620 m). This model also has a decreased useful load of 1,052 lb (477 kg) and reduced range of 1,046 nmi (1,937 km).[19] This model is also equipped with a Hartzell 3-Blade Lightweight Composite Prop.[20]
SR22TN
Version with a Tornado Alley turbo-normalizing kit added to the Continental IO-550-N engine producing 310 hp (231 kW).[16]
SR22 G5 and SR22T G5
On 17 January 2013 Cirrus Aircraft announced the fourth generation of the SR22 and SR22T (skipping G4 as a designation for the new version of the aircraft). New features include the maximum take-off weight increased by 200 lb (91 kg) and the previous optional split 60/40 split back seat, ADS-B transponder and Garmin GFC700 autopilot are now standard. The wheel pants have also gotten a redesign and include an access door for the inflator valve. The aircraft ballistic parachute has also been improved and includes a larger canopy to account for the higher take-off weight along with a more powerful rocket that is fired by a failsafe electronic ignition and can now be deployed at 140 knots (formerly 133 knots). Earlier versions used pyrotechnic rocket ignition. The speeds at which flaps can be deployed have been increased to 150 knots for the first notch. 110 knots for the second notch of flaps, with an additional 3.5 degrees of extension. Fuel burn is slightly increased at cruise speeds, rate of climb has been reduced, liftoff speed has increased to 80 knots from 72 knots and stall speed has increased to 60 knots from 58 knots.[21] [22]

Aircraft type club [edit]

The Cirrus aircraft are supported by an aircraft type club, the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA).[23]

Operators [edit]

ImagineAir Cirrus SR22

The aircraft is popular with air charter and small air taxi carriers as well as private individuals and companies. The largest current dedicated fleet operator is ImagineAir, which commenced operations 2007 is currently operating. SATSair was formerly the largest with 26 aircraft; they commenced operations 2004 and went out of business in 2009.[24][25]

Accidents and incidents [edit]

Between 2001 and September 2012 144 US-registered Cirrus SR22 aircraft crashed, resulting in 115 fatalities.[26]

In 2011 the accident record of the SR20 and 22 was the subject of a detailed examination by Aviation Consumer magazine. The review concluded that the series has an overall accident record that is better than average for light aircraft, exceeded only by the Diamond DA40 and DA42. However its fatal accident rate is much worse at 1.6 per 100,000 flight hours, placing it higher than the United States general aviation rate of 1.2 and higher than the Diamond DA40 (0.35), Cessna 172 (0.45), Diamond DA42 (0.54), Cessna 182 (0.69) and the Cessna 400 (1.0), despite the SR22's full aircraft parachute system.[27]

Specifications (SR22) [edit]

2003 model SR22
Front view of Cirrus SR22

Data from Cirrus website[28] and the Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage[29]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Length: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
  • Airfoil: Roncz
  • Empty weight: 2,225 lb (1,009 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,600 lb (1,633 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 92 US gallons (348 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-550-N Six cylinder horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 310 hp (230 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 183 kn (211 mph; 339 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 60 kn (69 mph; 111 km/h) flaps down
  • Range: 1,049 nmi (1,207 mi; 1,943 km) with reserves at 65% power
  • Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,270 ft/min (6.5 m/s)

See also [edit]

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References [edit]

  1. ^ Cirrus Aircraft (2013). "SR22 Domestic Price List". Retrieved 2013-02-25. 
  2. ^ Cirrus Aircraft (2013). "SR22T Domestic Price List". Retrieved 2013-03-04. 
  3. ^ General Aviation Manufacturers Association (January 2008). "2007 General Aviation Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook". Retrieved 2 July 2010. 
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2008). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A00009CH Revision 13". Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  5. ^ Cirrus Design (2007). "SR22 features & options". Retrieved 2007-11-14. 
  6. ^ Cirrus Design (2007). "SR22 performance". Retrieved 2007-11-14. 
  7. ^ Cirrus Design (2007). "turbo normalizing". Retrieved 2007-11-14. 
  8. ^ Cirrus Design (2007). "the speed you need". Retrieved 2007-11-14. 
  9. ^ Cox, Bill (20 July 2010). "Cirrus SR22T: Turbo Without the STC". Plane & Pilot. Retrieved 3 March 2012. 
  10. ^ Goyer, Robert: Avidyne Glass for Steam Gauge Cirrus Airplanes, Flying magazine February 2008, pages 18-19. Hachette Filipacchi US Media
  11. ^ Cirrus Design (2008). "Cirruis Perspective by Garmin". Retrieved 2008-10-25. 
  12. ^ Niles, Russ (January 2009). "Cirrus Introduces FIKI, Announces Layoffs". Retrieved 2009-01-12. 
  13. ^ Cirrus Design (January 2009). "Cirrus Aircraft Announces Known Ice Protection Availability For Sr22 And Turbo Aircraft Models". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2009-01-12. 
  14. ^ Grady, Mary (April 2009). "Cirrus Announces FAA OK For FIKI System, Update on Jet". Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
  15. ^ Cirrus Aircraft (2008). "G3 What's New". Archived from the original on 29 March 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2007. 
  16. ^ a b Bertorelli, Paul (June 2010). "Cirrus Rolls Out a New Turbocharged Model". Retrieved 21 June 2010. 
  17. ^ Van West, Jeff (June 2010). "Cirrus' New Turbo: Baffling". Retrieved 24 June 2010. 
  18. ^ "Aviation Fuel Future". Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  19. ^ "Cirrus Designs SR22 Turbo Specifications". Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
  20. ^ "SR22T Price Sheet". Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
  21. ^ "Cirrus Launches Generation 5 SR22". Retrieved 17 January 2013. 
  22. ^ "Generation 5 Cirrus SR22". Retrieved 17 May 2013. 
  23. ^ Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (2008). "COPA - Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association". Retrieved 2008-10-11. 
  24. ^ Imagine Air Jet Services (2005). "Company Background". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  25. ^ Niles, Russ (October 2009). "SATSAir Shuts Down". Retrieved 2009-10-26. 
  26. ^ NTSB (2012). "NTSB Accident Database Query". Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
  27. ^ AVweb staff (20 December 2011). "Aviation Consumer: Cirrus Safety Record Just Average". AVweb. Retrieved 22 December 2011. 
  28. ^ Cirrus Design (undated). "Specifications". Retrieved 2010-01-16. 
  29. ^ Lednicer, David (October 2007). "Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 2010-01-15. 

External links [edit]

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