And as with so many things, it’s how the new system does it that counts. This is, as with much in aviation, much easier said than done. In a nutshell, it’s there to keep the airframe clear of ice so the aerodynamics (and pilots’ view out the window) are as unaffected by the buildup as possible. The purpose of any anti-ice/deice system requires little explanation. The system is a $24,500 increase over the basic ice protection system, which is standard on the GS and GTS models. The biggest news is that Cirrus now offers a certified flight into known ice (FIKI) TKS system for its SR22 lineup. These are the airplanes that most customers order. The top of the line is the “GTS,” which adds dual AHRS, the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot, synthetic vision, enhanced vision, known ice protection, and top-of-the-line interior and exterior options. The “GS” group is a step up, and boasts 12-inch screens, the S-Tec 55X autopilot, basic ice protection (more on that distinction in a bit) and some higher-end interior and exterior styling touches. These are the airplanes that Cirrus has traditionally sold to flight schools and other fleet operators. They feature 10-inch displays and the S-Tec 55SR autopilot. The “S” seems as though it might stand for “simple” or “standard,” but these airplanes are still nicely equipped. (Some options are not available on the SR20.) Recognizing this, the company has created a trio of classifications for both the Cirrus SR20 and the Cirrus SR22, splitting its lineup into the “S,” “GS” and “GTS” option package groups. The top of the line Cirrus, the Turbo GTS with all the options, goes for around $650,000, though lower priced and still remarkably well-equipped models can be had for less.Īs the Cirrus list of options has grown, the designations for the various models have gotten confusing for many customers (and journalists). And customers are demanding it all, and they’re paying a pretty penny for it, too. The parade of new technologies Cirrus has brought to its high-performance fixed-gear single is mind-boggling, at least based on what we all thought we knew about small airplanes 20 years ago. The big news is a known ice protection system, but there’s a raft of other recently announced upgrades, too, with a whole host of advanced acronyms available, EVS, SVT and FIKI, among many others, making the Cirrus SR22, for the time being, the most technologically sophisticated production piston single-engine airplane in the world, by a nose.Īnd Cirrus can rightfully brag about its commitment to innovation. Cirrus Aircraft has introduced its lineup for 2009, and the new airplanes come with some very impressive available features.
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