Cirrus SR20, SR22

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Cirrus Aircraft Model: SR 20 & 22 Nickname: The plane with a parachute
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 31
> Number of Times Flown: 21
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: SR20 and 22 with various sub-models (eg: “G2”, “G3”)

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 135
> Date First Flown: 4/14/2003
> Location First Flown: New Century Air Center, Olathe, KS (KIXD)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Garmin flight test, Phil Straub

Recollections: My first flight in a Cirrus SR2X was on an FAA test flight to evaluate the new G1000 avionics system.  Later I flew it as a rental with several FBO’s (each requiring a special checkout from a Cirrus-authorized instructor…showing the somewhat challenging flying qualities of the cirrus), and as a student at NTPS.

The Cirrus is, for sure, an amazing cross-country airplane.  Coupled with the advanced avionics (either the Garmin or the Avidyne systems) it’s just an excellent way to get from A to B.  That said, I never really liked the way it handled.  It has a mechanical sidestick, which leaves room in the cockpit for your legs and gives you a wide-open view of the instruments, but there’s a disharmony between pitch and roll controls and it’s difficult to precisely control the airplane.  It’s totally safe, just not fun or easy to fly.  As is often the case in aviation, you can’t have it all.  Aircraft design is a tradeoff.  The Cirrus trade is in favor of performance and it truly achieves that goal.  It’s CAPS (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System) also has been revolutionary in the private airplane market, achieving a number of saves.