Cirrus attracting pilots with 'The Wrong Stuff'?

Roger Long wrote:

I am not at liberty to answer you because I know some Cirrus pilots myself.

And I'm not qualified to venture an opinion 'cause I don't know any.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

I have about 20 hours in an SR20 - a late model one with the "glass"
Entegra instruments. The vast majority of the rest of my 225-ish hours
in fixed-wingers is in 172s. I must say that - once a person understands
the avionics and systems - which are to be sure *different* than those
of non-"New Tech" airplanes but no more difficult to understand once
familiarity is gained - the SR20 is a fairly easy airplane to fly. The
workload can even be less than in (say) a 172 assuming good familiarity
with the systems. (regarding lower workload - the SR has no precessing
gyro, no prop control, no cowl flaps, tight integration of the autopilot
with the Entegra and GPSs, automatic StandbyALT switching of the
transponder based on groundspeed, a Lean Assist program for leaning the
engine (if the aircraft has the optional engine monitoring instrument
package), etc..)

I must admit that at first the combination of the Entegra displays, 2
GNS430s, and the STec autopilot were a bit overwhelming - there is so
much information at your disposal that it takes some time to filter it
down to what you really need at any given moment of the flight. But in
about 10 hours I was pretty comfortable in the airplane. I don't find it
to be particularly slippery, and to my surprise (as I am prone to be
high and fast when nearing an airport due to poor planning 8^) ) it's
not that hard to get it slowed down and configured for landing.

So in sum, as a fairly low time pilot with little complex time and no
hi-perf endorsement (yet), I believe the SR20 is a safe, relatively
easy-to-fly airplane. I think that Allan K and his bro (forget his name)
have accomplished what they set out to do.

Now, if only they'd hit the $140K price mark that they estimated in a
1995 Flying magazine that I saw recently, I'd be in hog heaven. I'd own
an SR20, too 8^) .

Dave Blevins

On Thu, 22 Apr 2004 14:05:34 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

There's been some discussion here about Cirrus' less-than-stellar safety
record. Someone mentioned that perhaps the Cirrus line, with all of its
whiz-bang electronics and slippery airframe, is attracting the "wrong" kind
of pilots -- meaning, perhaps, too much cash and not enough sense?

I've always heard this same thing said about the Bonanza (the "Fork-tailed
doctor killer") -- but recent accident stats for the Bo don't appear to bear
this out.

Two data points that don't mean much: The only two guys I have personally
known to have bought a Cirrus PRECISELY fit this description. Both guys
have tons of money, not enough free time to stay current, and fly
complicated, long-distance flights on the rare occasions they fly at all.

What's the group-think on this one? Is Cirrus just good at attracting
crappy pilots? Or is there something else at work here?

Nathan,

fully agree.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

The fatality rate for the SR-20/22 is high. High performance (200/310
HP), high tech cockpit (Glass Primary Flight/Multi-Functional Displays)
with a Joy Stick. This aircraft is not for the new pilot. Training and
experience is a must. Properly trained, this aircraft rock 'n rolls.

Mike $$$ (PA-28)

Landed in a field. No significant damage. Had the plane towed away
before
authorities found out about it.

Now that is terrifying.

I've only met one pilot in ten years that would truly fit your description
(although I've certainly met quite a few with SOME of those
characteristics), and the guy scared the crap out of me.

If I could know when he was flying, I'd stay on the ground that day.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I am not at liberty to answer you because I know some Cirrus pilots
myself.

That pretty much says it all, Roger.

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:1p7ic.10076$_L6.892463@attbi_s53...
Landed in a field. No significant damage. Had the plane towed away
before
authorities found out about it.

Now that is terrifying.

I've only met one pilot in ten years that would truly fit your description
(although I've certainly met quite a few with SOME of those
characteristics), and the guy scared the crap out of me.


I've met one, and heard tell of another one. The second took a few lessons,
solo'ed then bought an airplane. Decided that one wasn't fast enough, so
bought a Twin Comanche, he'd routinely fly it from NJ to FL, right down the
east coast. Remember, still a solo'ed student here. Don't worry though,
he's long since killed himself in one of his planes. The kicker was, this
guy was a lawyer! Even though it happened 30+ years ago, I wonder if his
estate sued?

If I could know when he was flying, I'd stay on the ground that day.

Dunno about that one, he might crash into you. I'd much rather be up in the
air; think I've got better odds that way.

Howdy!

In article ,
Jim Fisher wrote:

[snip]

I've no doubt that lot's of 'em fly Cirrus' (or is it "Cirii"?) Bo's 182's
and Cherokees.

That's be "Cirri"...

helpfully yours,
Michael


--
Michael and MJ Houghton | Herveus d'Ormonde and Megan O'Donnelly
| White Wolf and the Phoenix
Bowie, MD, USA | Tablet and Inkle bands, and other stuff
| http://www.radix.net/~herveus/

I've no doubt that lot's of 'em fly Cirrus' (or is it "Cirii"?) Bo's 182's
and Cherokees.

That's be "Cirri"...

It certainly does not use the apostrophe, which is used for possessives and not
plurals.

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

"Jim Fisher" wrote:

This "CFI" hasn't had a certificate in years (bipolar) but flies his Bo
regularly. He's got a ton of hours but has never been a CFI. He's so good
that he brags of taking naps while Otto flies the plane for him. He ran out
of fuel some months ago when he slept through the "E" on the fuel gauge.
Landed in a field. No significant damage. Had the plane towed away before
authorities found out about it.
--
Jim Fisher

I think he needs a parachute system on his plane to improve safety.
Obviously the plane needs safety enhancements.

Ron Lee