Cirrus SR20

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_SR20

The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engine, four-or-five-seat, composite
monoplane built by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota.

The SR20 was the first production general aviation aircraft equipped with a
parachute to lower the airplane safely to the ground after a loss of control,
structural failure or mid-air collision. It was also the first manufactured
light aircraft with all-composite construction and flat-panel avionics.

The SR20 mock-up was unveiled in 1994. The aircraft first flew on 21 March 1995
and FAA certification was achieved on 23 October 1998. At the time of the
airplane's release, the general aviation industry was struggling; the SR20 was
one of the first of its kind to earn FAA Part 23 certification in several years.
Over a thousand SR20s have been sold since deliveries began in 1999. As of June
2015, more than 6,000 Cirrus aircraft had been delivered, something that no
other aviation company has done for decades.

One of the major selling points for the SR20 is its Garmin Cirrus Perspective
avionics suite with dual 10-inch (250 mm) or 12-inch (300 mm) screens: one
primary flight display (PFD) and one multi-function display (MFD). This provides
all standard communication, navigation (GPS and conventional VHF), and
surveillance (Mode S transponder) functions. Other avionics features include
in-flight weather information and TCAS-like traffic information.

SR20s made from 1999 to 2003 were equipped with traditional analog instruments
and a 10" MFD. In July 2003, Cirrus made PFDs standard on the SR20 and faster
SR22, pioneering the use of glass cockpits in the light aircraft general
aviation industry.

The SR-series remains the only airplane in its class to include side stick
flight controls that combine aspects of a traditional yoke handle (this has been
referred to in the industry as a "side yoke").


Role
Civil utility aircraft

Manufacturer
Cirrus Aircraft

First flight
21 March 1995

Produced
1999–Present

Number built
1,332 (through 2016)

Unit cost

US$390,000 (2017)


Developed into
Cirrus SR22

The SR20 is popular with many flying schools and is operated by private
individuals and companies. The largest operators are CAFUC (Civil Aviation
Flight University of China) operating 40 aircraft, Aerosim Flight Academy which
operates 34, Western Michigan University which has 26, Lufthansa Flight Training
with a fleet of 25 and Purdue University with 16.

Specifications (SR20-G3)

General characteristics
Length: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m)
Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Empty weight: 2,126 lb (964 kg)
Gross weight: 3,050 lb (1,383 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-360-ES six cylinder, horizontally-opposed piston
aircraft engine, 200 hp (150 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed

Performance
Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph; 287 km/h) TAS
Stall speed: 56 kn (64 mph; 104 km/h) CAS
Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m)
Rate of climb: 828 ft/min (4.21 m/s)

Avionics

Garmin Cirrus Perspective glass cockpit
GMA 350 All-digital Audio Panel
Dual WAAS GPS/Comm/Nav Radios
Garmin GFC700 Autopilot with Electronic Stability and Protection
Dual attitude and heading reference system
406 MHZ ELT
ADS-B transponder




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