Rethought from the inside out, the G7 series—including the SR20, SR22, and SR22T—takes cues from the Vision Jet to simplify operation while incorporating added safety and luxury features. All three 2024 models have completed the FAA type certification process and are ready for delivery.

FLYING took an exclusive first series of flights with the striking new G7 in the SR22 version in early December for a We Fly pilot report that will debut in Issue 945/February 2024, reaching subscribers later this month. Till then, a quick reveal…

• WATCH: Cirrus Updates SR Series

Central to the updates is the reimagined Perspective Touch+ integrated flight deck with 12- or 14-inch high-resolution displays, and twin GTC touchscreen controllers, to mimic the functionality and redundancy available in the Vision Jet SF50. Engine start has transformed into a push-button interface, preserving the ability to check mags and set mixture while making the process feel similar to that of the SF50. The updated automated flight control system (AFCS) incorporates smart servos and includes an optional yaw damper. 

Updated synoptic pages and streamlined checklists aid the pilot in monitoring both systems and procedures throughout all phases of flight. And the Cirrus IQ app gives the pilot remote viewing and control of certain aircraft functions. Cirrus Global Connect delivers worldwide text messaging, telephone service, and global weather.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the We Fly Report in Issue 945

It’s telling that Cirrus Aircraft looked up the model line to its Vision Jet to drive out complexity from its core single-engine pistons, sending its engineers on a journey to find ways to make the SRs as straightforward to operate as the jet. While that sounds like a contradiction, perhaps, pilots like FLYING’s Dick Karl have opined about the complexity involved in stepping down from a light jet back into the high-performance piston world.  

To this end, Cirrus has introduced a new shallower menu structure in the touchscreen controllers, along with a scroll wheel for turning through the CAS-linked, on-screen checklists smoothly. Still on the ground, Taxiway Routing and a contextualized 3D Safe Taxi guide the pilot around complex airport layouts, decluttering and slewing the PFD imagery to match the airplane’s speed and position on the airport. In the air, the automatic fuel selection system automatically switches between fuel tanks every 5 gallons.

Additional Safety Features

Pilots will also find an improved flight control, incorporating a stick shaker function to piggyback on the other envelope protection features in the Perspective+ series, for enhanced low-speed situational awareness. Both the left and right controls vibrate to warn of an approaching stall condition.


Another new addition to envelope protection is flap airspeed protection. The system monitors airspeed to protect the pilot from accidentally deploying or retracting flaps when the aircraft is traveling too fast or too slow for the given flap configuration change. 

A Stylish and Functional New Interior

In addition to the magic up front, Cirrus also rethought the interior, taking a page from current luxury vehicles to incorporate a host of new features, including redesigned interior panels, dimmable task lights, and ambient accent lighting. 

More rugged cup holders, more pockets, and two center console compartments efficiently store your smartphone and other key things for better cockpit organization and accessibility. Powered headset jacks and lighted high-power USB-C outlets come positioned within easy reach of each seat. 


First SR20 G7 Customer

While only one new TRAC20 (SR20) G7 has been built, it’s already wearing its school colors—those of Western Michigan University College of Aviation in Battle Creek. The Broncos are longtime Cirrus flight training operators and will incorporate the new models into their aviation degree programs. The school will take delivery in the first quarter for integration into the flightline.

Pilots across the board can opt into several training options for the new Cirrus line, including the OEM’s recently released Private Pilot Program—taking a prospective pilot from first flight to certification in their new airplane.

“Our mission is to increase participation in aviation, so more people can benefit from the freedom, productivity, and joy it provides,” said Zean Nielsen, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. “We have also developed a comprehensive ecosystem, providing global sales, flight training, maintenance, and support to ensure our owners have a seamless ownership experience. Our aircraft are truly designed with people in mind, and the new SR Series G7 is a testament to that philosophy. Our team and our aircraft provide a clear path to enter and advance within the personal aviation community by learning to fly and eventually transition to the Vision Jet with ease.” 

The post The Big Reveal: Cirrus Shows Off the SR G7 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2017 Cirrus SR22T.

After 25 years the Cirrus SR-series aircraft still look modern and fresh, thanks in part to continuous development. Regular avionics upgrades have resulted in recently released SR panels that bear little resemblance to those in earlier models. Pilots will also notice numerous small changes in design and materials to reduce weight, improve handling, increase useful load, and boost performance. Top SR models like the SR22T for sale here offer a combination of climb rate, cruise speed, handling, and comfort that make them delightful to fly.

While Cirrus aircraft are renowned for benignly pleasing flight characteristics, they probably are better known for their novel airframe parachutes. This feature, which many regard as a breakthrough in aviation safety, attracted a new audience to general aviation.  

Decades of Cirrus production have translated to a healthy supply of SR22s and SR20s on the used market. These aircraft are available at an increasingly broad range of prices and have gradually begun to attract a larger group of prospective buyers.

This Cirrus SR22T has 1,100 hours since new on the airframe and on its 315 hp TCM TSIO-550-K engine. The panel features the Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin avionics suite, including Garmin G1000NXi with dual AHRS and air data computers, 12-inch LCD displays, GMA 350c audio panel, GFC 700 autopilot, engine monitoring, and synthetic vision. The aircraft is also equipped with air conditioning, ice protection, and a 77-cubic foot oxygen system.

Pilots looking for a modern high-performance, four-place traveling aircraft with composite construction and integrated Garmin avionics should consider this 2017 Cirrus SR22T, which is available for $775,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus SR22T 8000
• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: 2016 Cirrus SR22T
• FLYING Magazine: Emirates Selects Cirrus SR22 for Pilot Training
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus Launches Innovation Center
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus Talks New Airplanes, Core Priorities
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cirrus SR22

AvWeb: 2020 Cirrus SR22T Flight Trial

The post This 2017 Cirrus SR22T Is a High-Performance, Parachute-Protected ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The milestone? Cirrus marks its 9,000th delivery of an SR-series airplane this year, and much as it did with the 7,000th delivery and 8,000th delivery, it has crafted a limited edition run of the SR series, with comprehensive owner packages and bespoke exterior and interior designs. 

The 9,000th SR Packages

“The SR Series continues to move people, businesses, and imaginations as we reach another significant delivery milestone,” said Zean Nielsen, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, in an accompanying statement. “Our talented Xi Design Studio collected inspiration through the lens of our customers and the worldwide travel and freedom personal aviation offers. The 9,000th SR Series delivery means that 9,000 owners are living the Cirrus Life enabled by the best-selling high-performance piston aircraft in the industry for over two decades.”

The design carries two themes, according to Ivy McIver, SR series program manager. The first is the number “9” that is integrated into several places on the aircraft. The second is the color orange—incorporated into the scheme by Xi Design Studios to create four palettes: ’Balos,’ ‘Lava,’ ‘Magma,’ and ‘Santorini,’ using Sherwin-Williams paint in Lava Orange and Aegean Blue.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Cirrus SR22T 8000

The owner packages also include five Bose A30 headsets and two Garmin D2 Aviation watches, along with five-year warranty and maintenance programs for a total ownership experience.

More Cirrus Metrics

Before Simmons made it to the big announcement, he took time to review a handful of significant numbers that Cirrus has achieved over its 24-year history. Among them, the fact that those 9,000 airplanes—the SR fleet—have amassed more than 15 million flight hours—and for the past nine years, Cirrus has delivered more than 300 piston aircraft per year. In 2022, the SR series was again the top-selling piston aircraft for the 21st year in a row.

And the SF50 has had its own hit parade. As it approaches 500 deliveries this year, the Vision Jet has increased in both market share and its ability to expand the market overall. For the fourth year in a row, in 2022, it was the top-selling jet with 95 units shipped.

But the Vision Jet notched other milestones in recent months, including the first and second saves using the CAPS, or Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. For customers and pilots seeking to acquire the SF50 type rating under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), it has dropped the minimum number of hours to enter the program from 500 to 250 in certain circumstances.

Cirrus has also added more affiliates in Europe in recent years, including the most recent addition of Orbifly, in France, in March 2023. In October 2022, it added CK Aviation in the UK, and in July 2021, Daedelus.

Sustainable Cirrus

Cirrus has been one of the first OEMs to test out unleaded fuel in its high-performance SR22 and SR22T engines—using the Continental IO-550-N, and TIO-550-K1, respectively. And ti continues to move forward with testing using GAMI’s UL100 as part of the EAGLE program to move towards unleaded fuels.

And the SF50’s Williams International FJ33 engine is all ready to run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Cirrus was an early SAF adopter with the Vision Jet. From a noise standpoint—also very important, especially under EU skies—the Vision Jet registers between 69 and 71 decibels during flyover, according to its EASA type certificate.

The post Cirrus Marks 9,000th SR in 2023 With Limited Edition appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

To help solve this, Cirrus Aircraft launched its new aircraft configurator at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo this week. FLYING had a chance to try it out at the OEM’s chalet on the flight line—and it takes the selection process to a new level.

Available for the entire SR series—including the SR20, SR22, and SR22T—as well as the Vision Jet, the aircraft configurator allows for the potential aircraft owner to walk through the benefits of each model. Then, the configurator guides the buyer through the myriad choices available in both exterior and interior color and other elements.

The app is a great way to understand more about the airplanes on a pilot’s own time, assisting with their research in a self-propelled way.

Not buying and just imagining that you’ll fly a Cirrus someday? The configurator powers those dreams too.

The post Pilots Can Pick A Cirrus With Its New Configurator appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

On Friday, Continental Aerospace sent out its own updated recommendation, shared with FLYING, broadening the scope of the recommended grounding to encompass a wide range of powerplants and to call for a specific inspection of the crankshaft counterweight retaining ring within 5 hours for those new or rebuilt engines with less than 200 hours in operation since installation. Models include those in the 360, 470, 520, and 550 series.

Cirrus Grounds Company Aircraft

A tweet from a Cirrus customer shared on Wednesday demonstrated the impact of the issue.

Cirrus grounds all SR22s and SR22Ts it controls that were manufactured or issued with a CofA after June 2021 due to an ‘issue’ with their continental engines, according to email sent to owners. pic.twitter.com/L2kz14Azz7

— The Flying Reporter (@JonHuntTV) February 8, 2023

FLYING contacted Cirrus for more information and received the following: 

“Cirrus Aircraft has been informed by Continental Aerospace Technologies (Continental) of an issue that affects engines that power both Cirrus Aircraft’s SR22 and SR22T models,” the company said via a statement. “While we are still working with Continental to determine the scope of the issue and the specific serial number range of affected aircraft, we are proactively making the decision—out of an abundance of caution—to pause all internal Cirrus Aircraft company flight operations on SR22s and SR22Ts manufactured and issued a certificate of airworthiness from June 1, 2021, through February 7, 2023.  

“Cirrus Aircraft continues to operate without restriction all its SR20s, as well as SR22s and SR22Ts manufactured before June 1, 2021, or after February 7, 2023.  

“We anticipate Continental to issue a service bulletin in the near future, which will detail the specific range of affected aircraft, the root cause of the issue and corrective action. The Continental service bulletin will accompany a Cirrus Aircraft service advisory notification.” 

The company was not aware of any incident or accident involving a Cirrus connected to the issue. The imminent service bulletin is expected to provide more insight once it is published. FLYING will continue to report on the issue and any further impact on operators.

The post UPDATE: Continental Engine Issue Drives Grounding of Cirrus SR22s, Other Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

• READ MORE: Where to Land in and Around ‘Music City’

Family: Cirrus G6 SR

The SR22 line of normally aspirated and turbocharged single-engine piston aircraft got a speed upgrade with its 2022 version, what Cirrus Aircraft dubs the G6 SR. The base model is the SR22 G6 that’s been offered for several years—but the enhancements with the latest iteration translate to more speed. Is that right? Yes, up to 9 knots better—we saw a 2-knot improvement at 8,500 feet on our test flight in early 2022—for 181 ktas.

The four-seat G6 SR features a Garmin Perspective+ integrated flight deck up front with standard safety features such as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and enhanced stability protection (ESP). Connectivity comes with advanced aircraft insights through the Cirrus IQ application—a status screen with Maintenance Minder, My Trips, and warranty information. The Arrivée package announces the new series on the ramp, with a selection of both new and previously popular airframe colors, including
Himalayan Salt, and updates to the baggage door and exterior lighting.

Under the cowl, the G6 SR is powered by the 315-hp Continental IO-550 and boasts a 1,021 nm range. Useful load sits at 1,246 pounds, so you can bring both kids plus all of their snacks and toys.

Friends: Piper M600/SLS Halo

The evolution of 40 years has led Piper Aircraft from the PA-46 Malibu, first launched in 1982, to today’s top-of-the-line M600/SLS Halo single-engine turboprop. The pressurized airframe was the third single on the market to go high—following the Cessna P210 Centurion and the Mooney M22—and the M600 takes the model to new heights of performance and safety. The M600/SLS was the initial certification bed for Garmin’s Autoland system, which brings together avionics and airframe capability to land the airplane in an emergency situation when the pilot is incapacitated.

• READ MORE: Nashville: A Fly-In Must See and Do

Up front, the M600/SLS is pulled through the air by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine, flat-rated at 600 shp, and a Hartzell five-bladed prop. One of the elements of the Halo autoland system, the autothrottle, assists the pilot with powerplant management from takeoff, through the approach, to landing. Add in a range while carrying five passengers with light bags—a total of 1,000 pounds—of up to 800 nm while drinking around 40 gph at an economy-cruise setting, and you have lower costs to split with your friends than other aircraft in the class.

With a useful load of up to 2,400 pounds, those pals can bring their golf clubs—or a guitar or two—and get to the city while cruising along at up to 274 ktas. A stylish arrival, indeed.

This article was first published in the 2022 Southeast Adventure Guide of FLYING Magazine.

The post Aircraft for Your Nashville Adventure appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

So it makes sense that the OEM is expanding its footprint in the U.K. and Europe. Earlier this spring, Cirrus Aircraft opened a regional operations office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to join its sales office in Valenciennes, France, and it has named Oriens Aviation at Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB) near London, England, as a service provider in its network. Oriens joins Cirrus maintenance providers in Guernsey, Gloucestershire, and Leeds in the U.K., and hundreds around the world.

The Big Picture

FLYING spoke with Cirrus CEO Zean Nielsen in May regarding the new Rotterdam office and various market needs and challenges that the manufacturer faces in 2022.

Nielsen joined Cirrus three years ago, and he’s navigated the company through the changes wrought by the pandemic, supply chain issues, and market forces—and come through with a positive outlook on the company’s prospects.

“Our international markets should represent somewhere between 20 to 30 percent of our total revenue,” said Nielsen in the interview with FLYING. “Now, the U.S. markets are…way more fortunate from an infrastructure perspective—there are 5,000 airports, fuel is readily available, you don’t have to tell ATC folks where you’re flying all the time—it’s way easier. We’re gated in terms of how fast we can grow in Europe by infrastructure.”

“What we can solve ourselves is that the planes are certified to fly, all the technology is available, and like most companies, you service your biggest market first and then you begin to implement the technologies in the international portfolio.”

The Vision Jet fulfills a unique position in that portfolio in terms of implementing those new capabilities. “The Vision Jet is an example—CPDLC is one of those things that Europe is just further along with, and it is a feature that we’re working on so you can get from 28,000 feet to 30,000, right? So it’s one of those corner cases, but we’re making sure that we’re there.”

The U.S. Keeps Growing—But…

He added,“When the U.S. is growing as fast as it is—which it is, [it’s] really been on fire over the last three years—then your international markets have to grow rapidly too [in order to keep that balance in sales].”

Cirrus is “happy with the partner network we have” in Europe, which takes care of sales, unlike the direct sales the company promotes in the U.S. But the company wants its own facilities to support the growth and what those partners can do. “We now need to have locals on the ground to support that partner network,” which led to the office opening in Rotterdam—a strategic location from which Cirrus representatives can reach customers on both continental Europe, in Germany, its biggest market, and the U.K.

The Rotterdam location will provide service, sales, and marketing support, “to make sure that Europe is a priority and not an afterthought—which it has never been,” said Nielsen. “It’s now becoming a larger portion. It’s to make sure that every day somebody wakes up and thinks about Europe,” and that it is composed of 28 small countries, not one homogenous entity. “You can tailor programs and content to be perfect for the market.”

“I’m European—I’m Danish—I moved to the U.S. 20 years ago, so I understand the complexity of Europe, which is why we chose the Netherlands, to be the anchor point for our support office.”

Labor rules are more reasonable in the Netherlands, and Nielsen finds the Dutch to be very “pro business.” Other key elements to the choice? English is broadly spoken as the second language, and Rotterdam’s central location will pay off in service access.

Oriens also plans growth tied to the Cirrus partnership: The company is looking to hire additional B1/B2 engineers to support the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) work.

The post Cirrus Expands Sales Network, Adapts to Marketplace appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to a report issued on April 12 by the NTSB, the six accidents were the result of excessive fuel flow in the SR22T, which caused engine failure during climb out. The accidents, which happened between 2017 and 2019, resulted in three deaths and nine persons injured. 

During the accident investigations, the NTSB removed the recoverable data monitors from the accident aircraft and determined that in each case the aircraft indicated an excessively high fuel flow rate, ranging from 42.2 to 50.1 gallons per hour, just before the engine lost power. 

According to the Cirrus pilot’s operating handbook for the SR22T, the electric fuel boost pump has two activation settings: 

• “Boost,” which should be used for takeoff, climbout, and when switching fuel tanks
• “High Boost/Prime,” which should be used for engine start and to avoid vapor lock above 18,000 feet. 

According to information from Cirrus, when the pump is in the “Boost” mode, it can deliver 19 gph. In the “High Boost/Prime” position, the electric fuel pump can deliver 42 gph. 

The NTSB report stated that in two of the accidents, the pilot had incorrectly selected the “High Boost/Prime” mode, resulting in the excessive fuel pushed to the engine. The excessive fuel overloads the engine, similarly to the way chugging a beverage makes a person choke.

A third investigation determined that an improperly adjusted slope controller and fuel pump were to blame for the loss of engine power.

Cirrus Takes Steps to Mitigate Risk

In May 2018, Cirrus issued service advisory (SA18-02) for the SR22T, reminding pilots that the intended use of the “High Boost/Prime” function, per the POH, is only used for engine start and suppressing vapor lock in flight above 18,000 feet with warm or hot fuel.

The SA continues: “The fuel pump should be set to ‘Boost’ for takeoff, climb, landing and when switching fuel tanks, and that the fuel flow should never exceed 41 gallons per hour at 36.5 inches of manifold pressure, as higher fuel flow rates may result in a rough running engine or loss of power.”

In addition, Cirrus implemented software changes to prevent improper use of the electric fuel boost pump on the SR22T, which features Garmin’s Perspective or Perspective Plus avionics suite.

Pilots and aircraft owners were notified of the software change in a service bulletin on a controlled lockout feature for in-service SR22Ts. 

The lockout feature was designed to block the use of the “High Boost/Prime” function until the airplane reaches a pressure altitude of 10,000 feet to prevent a loss of engine power at low altitude.

However, Cirrus received pilot reports that the lockout function was not operating as intended, and in January 2019 Cirrus issue Service Advisory SA19-01 stating “Use of HIGH BOOST/PRIME fuel pump mode in flight below 10,000 feet is not recommended and should be avoided” and “until a software update is released to address this condition, the use of HIGH BOOST/PRIME fuel pump mode should only be required in flight above 18,000 feet on hot days with warm of hot fuel to maintain fuel flow in the green arc or to suppress vapor formation.”

FLYING reached out to Garmin for comment on the issue, but our request for information was not immediately returned.

NTSB Recommendations

The NTSB recommends that Cirrus conduct an functional hazard assessment to identify the causes, effect and severity levels for the SR22T during takeoff and climb phases of flight, and to use this information to identify mitigating actions such as design modifications or changes in procedures for the operators of the aircraft.

In addition, the NTSB is asking the FAA to require implementation of proper mitigating actions to prevent power loss during excessive fuel flow and that the FAA review the FHA recommendations made by Cirrus.

Cirrus Aircraft issued a statement responding to the NTSB report, noting that because the investigation is active: “Cirrus Aircraft cannot comment on the particulars of the aircraft incidents or participate in any speculation as to the cause or the explanations for fuel flow in each case. 

“Cirrus Aircraft personnel are fully supporting these investigation activities,” the statement continued. “Cirrus Aircraft has shown that all configurations of the Model SR22T and its Continental TSIO-550-K engine are compliant with 14 CFR Part 23 and meet all applicable safety standards. All SR22T aircraft manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft meet all airworthiness requirements when they receive their original airworthiness certificate. Any SR22T that is operated in accordance with the approved Pilot Operating Handbook and has been maintained in accordance with the Cirrus Airplane Maintenance Manual will continue to meet all airworthiness requirements with no unsafe conditions.”

The post NTSB to Cirrus: Address Fuel Boost Pump Issues with SR22T appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

They pointed the airplane toward lunch.

The post Watch FLYING’s Editor-in-Chief Fly to Lunch in the New 2022 G6 SR appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

We had all of these for the demo flight we took in the new 2022 Cirrus SR G6 this week, so we did what clearly any pilots would do.

We pointed the airplane toward lunch.

Destination: Hummingbird Café

In my quest to notch every worthy airport restaurant in the Mid-Atlantic region, I still had not made it to the Hummingbird Café at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (KCBE) in western Maryland—though I’ve landed at the field several times over the past two decades.

With a 3D preview of the overhead view, approach, and traffic in the area on ForeFlight, we made a plan to do our test flying on the way and our photo work on the broad, friendly ramp at the airport once we were sufficiently nourished.

The Hummingbird sits tucked behind the main terminal and FBO building—but the folks on unicom will give you progressives so you can find their ramp. It was almost full by the time we taxied in, with a gaggle of retired airline pilots having flown in in their various Mooney and Piper mounts ahead of us.

Our own gaggle pronounced the Black-and-Bleu burger, taco salad, and curried butternut squash soup worth the trip. We skipped the Crazy Cooter burger—you can find out what that is for yourself. Also: they offer cake to go, and the red velvet one perched on the countertop cake stand called my name…

Beating the Book?

The book won’t show the difference in the performance tables, but after our test flight I can confirm it: You can feel the change in drag reduction offered up by Cirrus’ 2022 SR G6 model in both a couple of knots on the airspeed tape as well as under your fingertips as you preflight the new airplane.

How is this so? Cirrus went after drag reduction in pursuit of optimizing the G6 for this year—and the team targeting two primary areas: the FIKI panels on the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stab to protect those regions during flight into known icing, and the undersides of the wheel pants.

You’ve got to pay attention on your walkaround to find the changes, but they are affirmative.

The result? No change to the main text of the POH in the Performance section, but rather look to the aircraft supplements for the FIKI installation and other components. You just won’t have the same drag penalty for installing ice protection on the SR22T—and we saw about 2 knots better on true airspeed during our test flight—an average of 181 ktas at 8,500 ft msl. 

The seam-sealant feels a bit rough as you run a hand across it—but it translates into something pretty slick.

The wheel pants also don’t look much different at first glance. That’s because the fine-tuning involved narrowing the gaps on the undersides of the pants around the tires, reducing the volume of air that would be sucked in during flight. You have to place your smartphone on the ground and take a picture to get a real sense of the change—or run your hand along the opening.

Our climbout in the way-lower-than-ISA conditions (minus 8C/17F going through 3,500 ft) registered in 112 percent power and a climb rate that shuttled between 1,800 and 2,400 fpm. So, there’s one good thing about the cold.

More from that Hands-On Preflight

Little things make a difference in another update as well. It sounds like a simple thing, but previous models of the SR22T G6 had a more conventional baggage door with a retaining strap and a lock that required the pilot to physically turn the key to open it up for loading.

Now, the door is part of the remote lock/unlock system—and it stays unlocked when the main cabin doors are unlocked. A gas-charged strut goes past 90 degrees and holds the door open in the breeze, simplifying that part of preflight and postflight.

And yeah, there’s a super-cool step light that helps you see where you’re stepping in low-light or nighttime operations.

What About that Color?

In the midst of the world’s collective bellyache when it comes to the global supply chain, Cirrus has found a couple of bright spots, according to SR series program manager Ivy McIver, who flew in to demo the new model for us.

I hope I don’t jinx them both by sharing this—but Garmin’s Perspective+ and other avionics components have streamed into Cirrus’ manufacturing facilities in Duluth, Minnesota, at a steady pace throughout the past two years, keeping the lines going.

And while some interior parts—fabrics, in particular—have run into snags, Sherwin-Williams has delivered on the overall exterior paint schedule. In fact, the aircraft coatings supplier worked with Cirrus’ design department extensively on dreaming up a wide-ranging palette of colors—that go far beyond the ubiquitous Corsa Red and Cobalt Blue you see Cirri draped in on ramps across the country.

One of those marquee colors for 2022 is Himalayan Salt. Unless you’re a foodie, the name may not resonate—and if you see photos of the airplane, you might think it’s just pink. 

Well…it can be in some light. But when we looked at it against a snowy background, its depth allowed it to transition from salmon to a rich charcoal gray, offering a varying view from several angles.

McIver said Cirrus has not only expanded the paint options, but also opened up the mix-and-max choices of exterior and interior colors, fabrics, and other details so that the 2022 models (serial number 8500 on up) will reflect their owners’ individual tastes more precisely.

And it makes sense to give those lucky owners free rein. All in all—and all-in Arrivée package we flew carries a price tag of $1,222,900—the 2022 models sweeten the deal.

The post A Slick SR’s More than Just Good Looks appeared first on FLYING Magazine.