Popular SR22 Evolves Again... With New Wings, Taller Gear, A/C In Turbo Models

Cirrus Design announced the launch Tuesday morning of the SR22-G3. "Generation Three" is the latest innovation for the SR line, the world's best selling personal aviation airplane for the past five years. ANN was the first to fly the new bird a few days ago, pronouncing the new G3 as CD's "Best Cirrus Yet."

"With Generation Three, Cirrus continues to build upon our reputation as the industry leader in innovation, performance, quality and safety in the piston single engine segment of general aviation," said Cirrus Chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier. “The G3 represents the knowledge Cirrus has amassed since the launch of G1 in 1999, and the G2 in 2004. I feel certain that G3 won’t be the last modifications you will see with the SR family line."

Generation Three includes a glass cockpit with advanced avionics, life-saving Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), side yokes for greater convenience and safety, single power lever for ease of flying, composite design for strength and weight savings, and the "weeping wing" TKS ice protection system that gives pilots the time they need to escape icing conditions.

"With Generation Three, we've taken the world's most popular airplane in its class and transformed it into aircraft that's even better than any Cirrus that has gone before it," said John M. Bingham, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Bingham tells ANN the company was able to accomplish this engineering feat without adding any weight to the aircraft. In fact, the new aircraft is a good deal lighter. "The SR22-G3 comes with many new features and improvements, while weighing 53 pounds less than the comparably equipped G2 version. Plus, it boasts one of the best wing weights to total aircraft ratios in the industry. This allows us to give our customers more features and utility they can use."

Cirrus President and COO David Coleal comments, “We’re proud to introduce the SR22-G3. Everything we've learned about aircraft design, manufacturing and service has been incorporated into the Generation Three. We believe our new G3 aircraft represents the ultimate in refined elegance and engineering excellence.”

There is no lack of choices for Cirrus customers with the Generation Three SR22s. The four versions include: the fully loaded SR22-GTS. Every sumptuous design element is coupled with top-of-the-line features, ranging from a powerful 310 horsepower engine to an anti-ice system and onboard satellite weather. The airplane is the undisputed high-performance class leader with its easy handling and advanced technology. Those wishing to order their Cirrus with their own level of options will find the SR22-G3 model to their liking.

For those wanting to fly without the inconvenience of managing a turbocharged engine, there's the SR22-GTS Turbo featuring Tornado Alley Turbo twin turbos with dual intercoolers. This model comes with an array of standard equipment including virtually every factory-installed option and interior styling extras for those who want their Cirrus to surround passengers in well-appointed comfort.

Like the base-model SR22-G3 Turbo, the airplanes are fast, efficient and easy to fly, as well as fuel-efficient. Cirrus' turbo-normalized engine burns less fuel than conventional turbocharged engines.

The SR22-G3 Turbo, with air conditioning, will be offered later this year in limited quanities.

Each model in Cirrus' line of Generation Three aircraft includes many new features, focusing on safety, comfort, ease of use and performance:

• Lighter Wing -- The new wing, centered around a new carbon-fiber spar, reduces the airplane's overall weight and provides an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio while offering greater range and fuel capacity than ever before.
• Increased Fuel Capacity means greater range – With its 92-gallon usable wet-wing fuel storage system (11 gallons more than the SR22-G2), range is increased by over 16 percent, allowing pilots to reach even more destinations without a fuel stop.
• Taller Stance, Greater Ground Clearance -- The main landing gear has been reengineered to increase the airplane height by two inches. This provides greater prop and tail clearance when landing on rougher runway surfaces.
• Recognition Lights -- Designed into the new wing tips, LED recognition lights increase visibility of the airport environment during taxi, takeoff, and landing at night. They also make it easier to “see and be seen” by other aircraft, increasing the chances of collision avoidance both day and night.
• Improved Handling -- One of the best-handling aircraft is now even better. Increased dihedral improves lateral stability, providing a more balanced and fluid feel.
• Improved Aerodynamic Characteristics -- Wing root fairings have also been redesigned to reduce drag and increase climb efficiency.
• Improved Ice Protection System -- The corrosion-resistant titanium TKS porous panels now run the entire length of the wings -- over seven feet more wing coverage than on previous models. Since more surface area is covered by the glycol anti-ice solution and there’s a greater fluid capacity, the ice protection system provides nearly 50 percent more endurance. In Normal Mode, the pilot has 90 minutes of ice protection endurance compared to 60 minutes. While in Max Mode, the pilot has a full 45 minutes to escape icing conditions -- a 15 minute improvement. Plus, the filler port is now located on the wing. This makes it easier to fill the system and gives the pilot added ability to see the fluid level during refills to prevent overfills.
• Environmental System Design Change -- Fresh air flow on Generation Three aircraft has increased by 40 percent, and the airflow has more than doubled in full heat mode. Cirrus has also increased the hot air temperature by 30 degrees F and made the system smoother and easier to operate.

Two new paint schemes are now available for pilots: the SR22-G3 GTS and SR22-G3 GTS Turbo are available with a special trim package, known as the X-Package. In addition to a two-tone paint treatment (Sterling/White or Goldmist/White), there is custom matched accenting interior stitching, and a custom GTSx identification on the tail.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com