Engineering:Cirrus SR20

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Short description: Single-engine general aviation aircraft
SR20
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 N345BS (2059) (5056614400).jpg
Role Light aircraft
Manufacturer Cirrus Aircraft
First flight 21 March 1995
Produced 1999–present
Number built 1,459 (through 2019)[1][2]
Developed into Cirrus SR22

The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engined, four- or five-seat composite monoplane built since 1999 by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota. The aircraft is the company's earliest type-certified model, earning certification in 1998.

It was the first production general aviation (GA) aircraft equipped with a parachute to lower the airplane safely to the ground after a loss of control, structural failure, or midair collision. The SR series was also the first mass-manufactured light aircraft with all-composite construction and flat-panel avionics.[3][4]

The SR20 was developed into the Cirrus SR22, which was introduced in 2001 and is the most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century.

Design and development

Early production model Cirrus SR20
Cirrus SR20 landing
SR20 GTS

The SR20 mock-up was unveiled in 1994.[5] The aircraft first flew on 21 March 1995 and FAA certification was achieved on 23 October 1998.[6][7] At the time of the airplane's release, the GA industry was struggling; the SR20 was one of the first of its kind to earn FAA Part 23 certification in several years.[8] Over a thousand SR20s have been sold since deliveries began in July 1999. As of January 2021, nearly 8,000 SR-series aircraft had been delivered,[9][10] something that no other aviation company has done for decades.[11]

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 multifunction display (MFD), first introduced by the company in May 2008. 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 Avidyne Entegra PFDs standard on the SR20 and faster SR22, pioneering the use of glass cockpits in the light aircraft GA industry.[12]

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").[4]

The SR20 and SR22 are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), a large parachute that can be deployed in an emergency to lower the entire aircraft to the ground safely.[7]

On 1 June 2004, the SR20 became the first aircraft to achieve the new European Aviation Safety Agency certificate for aircraft imported into the European Union.

In 2004, Cirrus introduced the SR20 G2 (Generation 2) and in 2008, the SR20 G3 (Generation 3). Both were defined by airframe modifications, G2 by fuselage and G3 by wing/landing gear changes.

In 2012, "60/40 flex seating" was introduced, allowing up to three passengers in the rear with a split fold-down seat arrangement. This five-seat configuration was optional in 2012, but became standard equipment for 2013 SR20 models.[13]

In 2016, Cirrus introduced enhancements to the SR series, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a remote keyless entry, a convenience lighting system, and a new easy-access door latch, among other interior and exterior improvements.[14][15]

In 2017, the company introduced the SR20 G6 (Generation 6), with several upgrades to the avionics, new navigation lights, and an increased useful load.[16]

In September 2019, Cirrus unveiled the TRAC, a training-oriented version of the SR20, with a simplified interior, more durable seat material, backseat radio transmit switch to allow an observer to communicate with air traffic control, electronic stability and protection system, integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems, and simulated retractable landing gear controls and position lights to allow cadets and instructors to feign landing-gear operation and failures during instructional flights (the actual landing gear remains permanently fixed).[17][18]

In January 2020, the company introduced a new mobile application for the SR series, called "Cirrus IQ", which enables remote aircraft communication including access to preflight status information such as fuel and oxygen levels, battery voltage, oil temperature, aircraft location, and flight hours. Upgrades also included a new stabilized approach-advisory system for the flight deck.[19] In January 2022, speed and aesthetic improvements were added to the G6 SR-series, with a 9 knots (17 km/h) increased cruise speed, upgrades to the mobile IQ app, USB-A and USB-C charging ports and more.[20][21]

In January 2024, the company announced the SR20 G7 (Generation 7), with a major overhaul to the interior and avionics, making it more comparable to the cockpit of a Cirrus Vision Jet, as well as safety and engine-start improvements and an automatic fuel selection system.[22]

Operational history

SR20 deploying CAPS during certification flight-testing in 1998

In 2011, the accident records of the SR20 and -22 were 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 1.6/100,000 hours, placing it higher than the U.S. 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 Cessna 400 (1.0), despite the Cirrus's CAPS.[23]

By 2014, the accident rate had been dramatically reduced, with a 2013 fatal rate of 1.01 per 100,000 flight hours. This was attributed to better training, particularly in when to deploy the ballistic parachute system.[24]

By 2015, the accident rate had continued to decrease, with a 2014 fatal rate of 0.42 per 100,000 flight hours, making it one of the best safety records in the industry. This marked the fewest fatalities in a single year for Cirrus since 2001, and the first year where the number of CAPS deployments (12) exceeded the number of fatal accidents (3).[25][26][27]

As of September 2018, the SR-series has had its parachute system deployed 79 times, with 163 survivors.[28]

Variants

SR20
Original version produced from 1999
Cirrus SR20 G2
SR20 G2
Improved variant introduced in 2004, including Avidyne Entegra avionics
SRV
Introduced at the 2003 EAA AirVenture Convention and brought to market in 2004, the Cirrus SRV was a VFR-only version of the SR20 for the low-end private ownership and flight-training market.[29] As such, it omitted some standard equipment available on the SR20 such as wheel fairings.[30] For 2008, the SRV model was updated to G3 configuration, with the SR22 wing.[31] Cirrus discontinued the SRV for the 2010 model year.
SR20 G3
Introduced in 2007, the G3 has a lighter wing of greater area, incorporating a carbon-fiber spar. The new wing increased the SR20's cruise speed by 6–7 knots (11–13 km/h). The G3 also added a 50 pounds (23 kg) increased useful load by increasing the take-off weight to 3,050 pounds (1,380 kg), a redesigned main landing gear that is 2 inches (5 cm) taller, giving greater propeller and tail clearance, improved aircraft handling due to increased dihedral, improved aerodynamics including new wing root fairings, LED recognition lights, improved heat and ventilation, dual-redundant GPS WAAS-certified Garmin GNS 430W comm-navigators (that include a VHF radio and a VOR/LOC/ILS receiver) and an S-Tec Autopilot.[32][33][34]
United States Air Force T-53A
T-53A
In 2011, the SR20 was selected for cadet flight training with the 306th Flying Training Group at the United States Air Force Academy and given an Air Force model/design/series (MDS) designation as the T-53A. Twenty-five examples were to be purchased to replace the academy's current stock of 20 leased T-52As by May 2012, and included new features such as Cirrus Perspective avionics (by Garmin) as well as airbag seat belts.[35][36]
SR20 G6
Introduced in January 2017, the G6 model adds a Lycoming IO-390 engine of 215 hp (160 kW), an enhanced "Perspective-Plus" flight deck with a 10-times faster instrument processing speed, new LED wingtip lights and a useful load increase of 150 lb (68 kg).[16]
TRAC
Introduced in September 2019, the TRAC is a flight-training version with a simplified, more durable interior, IO-390 engine, Perspective+ flight deck, rear seat push-to-talk functionality, and simulated landing gear controls.[17][18]
SR20 G7
On 11 January 2024, Cirrus announced the G7 of the SR series, including a redesigned interior, Cirrus Perspective Touch+ flight deck with 35% larger instrument touch screens, a contextualized 3D taxi guide, stick shaker functions for the side-yokes to warn of an approaching stall condition, a new flap airspeed protection system, an automatic fuel selection system, a pushbutton engine start interface, an updated automated flight control system (AFCS), and a lower glareshield for better forward visibility, in addition to other improvements to the cockpit.[22][37][38]

Operators

A Cirrus SR20 belonging to Western Michigan University
Purdue University Cirrus SR20 on display at the Oshkosh Airshow

Civil

The SR20 is popular with many flying schools and is operated by private individuals and companies. The largest operators are Civil Aviation Flight University of China with 40 aircraft, Aerosim Flight Academy with 34, Western Michigan University with 29, Lufthansa Flight Training and United Aviate Academy both with 25, and Purdue University with 16.[39][40][41][42][43]

Military

 France
  • French Air and Space Force and Navy Academies (operated by Cassidian) – 23 aircraft (mixed fleet of 16 SR20s and 7 SR22s)[44]
 United States
  • United States Air Force Academy – 25 T-53A aircraft (version of SR20)[45]

Accidents and incidents

Between 1999 and September 2022, the SR20 was involved in 40 known fatal accidents.[46] Listed below are some of the most notable ones.

  • On March 23, 1999, Duluth native Scott D. Anderson was killed in a plane crash while flight-testing the first production model SR20 before it went on sale. Anderson was a pilot, author, engineer, and adventurer who served as chief test pilot at Cirrus in the mid- to late 1990s, performing all the in-flight test deployments of the CAPS. His plane, which had not yet been equipped with CAPS, experienced an aileron jam during experimental stress-testing and went down in a field near the Duluth International Airport. Anderson was posthumously inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010.[47][48][49][50]
  • On October 11, 2006, New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and certified flight instructor Tyler Stanger were killed in the 2006 New York City plane crash when their SR20 crashed into the Belaire Apartments located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The aircraft struck the north side of the building, causing a fire in several apartments. The accident resulted from a combination of high winds and pilot error.[51][52][53][54]

Specifications (SR20-G3)

Continental IO-360-ES fitted to a Cirrus SR20

Data from Cirrus SR20 Specifications Webpage[31]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3
  • 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

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ "2007 General Aviation Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook". General Aviation Manufacturers Association. January 2008. https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/2007gamadatabookoutlook_pdf_498c889640.pdf. 
  2. ↑ 2019 GAMA Annual Report 2019 and 50th Anniversary Edition=General Aviation Manufacturers Association. 2019. https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/GAMA_2019Databook_Final-2020-03-20.pdf. Retrieved 12 February 2021. 
  3. ↑ "Top 100 Airplanes:Platinum Edition". Flying. http://www.flyingmag.com/photo-gallery/photos/top-100-airplanes-platinum-edition?pnid=44581. Retrieved 2014-11-08. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Robert Goyer (2011). "10 Ways that the SR22 Changed Flying". http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/pistons/10-ways-sr22-changed-flying?page=0,0. 
  5. ↑ CompsitesWorld (2010). "Cirrus Aircraft's SR22 second-generation design improves functionality and enables faster processing". http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/fuselage-skins-redesign-streamlines-production. 
  6. ↑ Aerofiles: Aircraft Ca to Ci Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Federal Aviation Administration (May 2008). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A00009CH Revision 13". http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/0e89bd1a6ab4916c8625745d0047b84c/$FILE/A00009CH.pdf. 
  8. ↑ Goyer, Robert (Sep 2008). "Cirrus SR20 G3". http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-reports/pistons/cirrus-sr20-g3. 
  9. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft News (June 15, 2015). "Cirrus Aircraft Celebrates 6,000th Airplane Delivery". http://cirrusaircraft.com/6000th-airplane/. 
  10. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (January 28, 2021). "Cirrus Launches Limited Edition SR Series". AVweb. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/cirrus-launches-limited-edition-sr-series/. Retrieved April 21, 2021. 
  11. ↑ Davison, Budd (December 14, 2015). "Aviation 1965–2015". http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/pilot-talk/more-pilot-talk/aviation-1965-2015.html#.VowSRcCAOkr. 
  12. ↑ National Transportation Safety Board. "Introduction of Glass Cockpit Avionics into Light Aircraft". https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SS1001.pdf. 
  13. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft". Cirrus Aircraft. http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/sr20/. 
  14. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft 2016 SR Series Introduction". Vimeo.com. January 2016. https://vimeo.com/151899971. 
  15. ↑ Cirrus Aircraft News (February 16, 2016). "Cirrus Aircraft Unveils Enhanced 2016 SR Series". http://cirrusaircraft.com/enhanced-2016-sr/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Grady, Mary (4 January 2017). "Cirrus Updates SR22 And SR20". AVweb. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Cirrus-Updates-SR22-And-SR20-228289-1.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Hirschman, Dave (24 September 2019). "Making Better Pro Pilots Faster: New TRAC Trainer from Cirrus". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/september/24/cirrus-unveils-trainer. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mark, Rob (25 September 2019). "Cirrus Unveils TRAC Series of Flight Training Aircraft". Flying. https://www.flyingmag.com/cirrus-unveils-trac-series/. 
  19. ↑ Aviation Pros (January 2020). "Cirrus Aircraft Launches the 2020 SR Series Powered by an All-New Mobile App". https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/rotorcraft/press-release/21120367/cirrus-aircraft-cirrus-aircraft-launches-the-2020-sr-series-powered-by-an-allnew-mobile-app. 
  20. ↑ "Cirrus Unveils 2022 G6 SR Series". Flying. January 2022. https://www.flyingmag.com/cirrus-unveils-2022-g6-sr-series/. Retrieved January 12, 2021. 
  21. ↑ "Cirrus Introduces 2022 G6 SR Series With Speed And Aesthetic Upgrades". AVweb. January 2021. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/cirrus-introduces-2022-g6-sr-series-with-speed-and-aesthetic-upgrades/. Retrieved January 12, 2022. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "The Big Reveal: Cirrus Shows Off the SR G7". Flying. January 2024. https://www.flyingmag.com/the-big-reveal-cirrus-shows-off-the-sr-g7/?fbclid=IwAR0N6dSYNFn_Y56XFWBTgY5f9Yo392k7Gs5CQWfs3jXCyVSCfgK-7XQX5nQ. Retrieved January 12, 2022. 
  23. ↑ AVweb staff (20 December 2011). "Aviation Consumer: Cirrus Safety Record Just Average". AVweb. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Cirrus_Safety_Record_Average_205914-1.html. 
  24. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (10 April 2014). "Cirrus Reports Dramatic Accident Reduction". Avweb. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Cirrus-Reports-Dramatic-Accident-Reduction221835-1.html. 
  25. ↑ Zimmerman, John (11 February 2015). "Fatal Cirrus crashes are way down – thank the parachute". Air Facts. http://airfactsjournal.com/2015/02/fatal-cirrus-crashes-way-thank-parachute/. 
  26. ↑ Beach, Rick (1 July 2014). "Mid-Year 2014 Update on Improved Cirrus accident rates". Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association. https://www.cirruspilots.org/copa/safety_programs/b/pull_early_pull_often/archive/2014/07/01/update-on-cirrus-accident-rates.aspx. 
  27. ↑ Anders, Clark (22 May 2015). "Cirrus SR22: The Plane with the Parachute". Disciples of Flight. https://disciplesofflight.com/cirrus-sr22/. 
  28. ↑ Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (12 October 2018). "Cirrus CAPS History". https://www.cirruspilots.org/copa/safety_programs/w/safety_pages/720.caps-saves-and-fatal-accidents.aspx. 
  29. ↑ Colby, Douglas (2004). "The New Cirrus SRV". Plane & Pilot. http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/the-new-cirrus-srv/#.WWUL39PysWo. 
  30. ↑ Cirrus Design. "Cirrus SR20 Models". http://www.cirrusdesign.com/sr20/default.aspx. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Cirrus Aircraft (2016). "SR20 Specifications". http://cirrusaircraft.com/aircraft/sr20/. 
  32. ↑ Niles, Russ F. (April 2008). "G3 SR20 Has New Wings, Refined Interior". http://www.avweb.com/news/snf/SunNFun2008_G3_CirrusSR20_NewWings_RefinedInterior_197645-1.html. 
  33. ↑ Cirrus Design (2007). "Cirrus SR20 What's New". http://www.cirrusdesign.com/sr20/g3/default.aspx. 
  34. ↑ Flying Magazine. February 2008. p. 20. 
  35. ↑ Associated Press (June 2011). "Academy gets 25 new trainer aircraft for $6.1M". Air Force Times. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/06/ap-academy-gets-25-new-trainer-aircraft-061611/. 
  36. ↑ "EAA News – USAF Academy Buys Cirrus SR-20s, Designates T-53A". Eaa.org. 2011-07-06. http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-07-06_USAF-Cirrus.asp. 
  37. ↑ "Cirrus introduces new G7 variant of SR Series single-engine piston aircraft". FlightGlobal. 11 January 2024. https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/cirrus-introduces-new-g7-variant-of-sr-series-single-engine-piston-aircraft/156460.article. Retrieved 12 January 2024. 
  38. ↑ "Cirrus Unveils Gen7 SR Series And A Fresh Marketing Approach". AVweb. January 2024. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/cirrus-unveils-gen7-sr-series-and-a-fresh-marketing-approach/. Retrieved 12 January 2024. 
  39. ↑ Rachel (July 2008). "Delta connection academy offers high school students discovery flights in partnership with a nationwide ace camp program". https://www.deltaconnectionacademy.com/about/newsroom.aspx?year=2008&month=07. 
  40. ↑ Western Michigan University College of Aviation. "Aircraft – Cirrus SR-20". http://www.wmich.edu/aviation/sr20.html. 
  41. ↑ "Purdue Acquires Cirrus Aircraft". January 2010. http://news.cirrusaircraft.com/post/2010/01/25/PURDUE-UNIVERSITY-ACQUIRES-FLEET-OF-CIRRUS-SR20-AIRCRAFT-FOR-DEPARTMENT-OF-AVIATION-TECHNOLOGY.aspx. 
  42. ↑ Burns, Ashley (2017). "Cirrus Tapped for Lufthansa's Airline Pilot Training Program". http://www.flyingmag.com/cirrus-tapped-for-lufthansas-airline-pilot-training-program. 
  43. ↑ "Cirrus Aircraft Equips United Aviate Academy with a Fleet of TRAC SR20s for Ab-Initio Pilot Training". 2022. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220217005887/en/Cirrus-Aircraft-Equips-United-Aviate-Academy-with-a-Fleet-of-TRAC-SR20-for-Ab-Initio-Pilot-Training. Retrieved 17 February 2022. 
  44. ↑ "Cirrus News: French Air Force/Cassidian". http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/news/cirrus-aircraft-chosen-for-french-air-force/. 
  45. ↑ "Cirrus News: Final Air Force T-53A Deliveries". http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/news/cirrus-celebrates-the-final-delivery-of-the-usafa-t53/. 
  46. ↑ "ASN Aviation Safety Database results SR20". http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=SR20. 
  47. ↑ Passie, Peter (April 2010). "Pilot Scott Anderson Remembered". Duluth News Tribune. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/pilot-scott-anderson-remembered. 
  48. ↑ Fallows, James (November 21, 1999). "Turn Left at Cloud 109". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/21/magazine/turn-left-at-cloud-109.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm. 
  49. ↑ Fallows, James (March 7, 2007). "Lidle lawsuit update: the myth of 'aileron failure'". The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2007/03/lidle-lawsuit-update-the-myth-of-quot-aileron-failure-quot/7541/. Retrieved 2015-01-30. 
  50. ↑ Higdon, Dave (March 31, 1999). "Cirrus SR20 demonstrator kills test pilot in prison crash". Flighglobal. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/cirrus-sr20-demonstrator-kills-test-pilot-in-prison-49656/. 
  51. ↑ "Yankee Pitcher Dies as Plane Crashes Into NYC High-Rise". ABC News. October 11, 2006. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=2555263&page=1. 
  52. ↑ "Yankees pitcher killed in crash of small plane in Manhattan". CNN. October 12, 2006. http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/11/plane.crash/index.html. 
  53. ↑ Feinsand, Mark (October 11, 2006). "Yankees' Lidle killed in plane crash". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061011&content_id=1708962&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. 
  54. ↑ Yaniv, Oren; Leo Standora (October 12, 2006). "2nd victim died living his dream". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/461030p-387873c.html. 
  55. ↑ "Cirrus SR20 (and a bit about the SR22)". https://philip.greenspun.com/flying/cirrus-sr20. 

External links



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