Cirrus SR22T-GTS G6 Platinum (c/n 8574, OK-LPB), static display at Aviatická pouť air show, Pardubice, June 2024.
In the early 1990s, Cirrus Design Corporation (usually known as Cirrus Aircraft) from Duluth, Minnesota, began works on the company´s new aircraft, designated SR20. The aeroplane was for the first time disclosed to public in 1994 and performed its maiden flight a year later.
The SR20 was a piston-powered, low-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, able to carry four (or, in some variants, even five) passengers. The aircraft was powered by Continental IO-360, six-cylinder flat engine, generating about 200 hp.
However, the most important were innovations implemented in the aircraft design. The SR20 was not only the first all-composite general aviation (GA) aeroplane which entered mass production, but it also was the first GA aircraft to be equipped with safety parachute – allowing the SR20 crew and passengers to survive even in case of serious incidents, such as mid-air collision, structural failure or loss of control.
In addition, the SR20 was also the first GA aircraft which entered serial production and incorporated a glass cockpit. The first variants, made until 2003, were equipped with traditional instruments and 10-inch multifunction display. In July of 2003, the SR20 received two primary flight displays, made by Avidyne company.
The SR20 turned out to be a commercial success. The aircraft was made in more than 1,300 examples and, apart from several private owners, was also acquired by the French Air Force and French Navy pilot schools, as well as the United States Air Force Academy.
It is also worth to mention that in 2000, Cirrus Aircraft introduced into the market the more powerful variant of the aeroplane, designated SR22. The new version was powered by 310 hp Continental IO-550-N engine and featured all advantages of the earlier SR20.
Over the years, the Cirrus company developed several variants of both SR aeroplanes, branded as Generations, from G2 (introduced in 2004) to G7 (announced at the beginning of 2024). Each of them introduced several innovative solutions to GA aviation market which soon became popular standards. Among those technological novelties, glass cockpit by Garmin (2008, called ´Cirrus Perspective´), Bluetooth connectivity and remote keyless entry (2016), ´Cirrus IQ´ mobile application (2020), and USB charging ports (2022) can be mentioned. Since 2024, even more safety improvements were implemented in the aeroplane, such as new cockpit similar to Cirrus Vision Jet and automatic fuel selection system.
The G6 version of the Cirrus SR22 – presented within our Photo of the Week series – was introduced in January of 2017. The aircraft features the Cirrus Perspective+ flight deck made by Garmin, which, according to the manufacturer, allows for up to ten times faster instrument processing speed.
In addition, the aeroplane pictured above includes the GTS package, introduced into the market in 2004. The acronym GTS stands for Generation Two Special and means the aeroplane is equipped with advanced avionics suite and special interior and exterior features for better comfort of its crew and passengers. The term Platinum indicates special design suite which includes a dedicated collection of exterior colours.
Finally, another interesting variant of the SR aircraft should be mentioned. It is the TRAC (Training Aircraft) version, aimed for pilot training purposes. It can be equipped with simulated retractable landing gear controls and lights. That option allows the cadets to get habits necessary for operating an aircraft with retractable landing gear, yet during training with the SR20/22. The Cirrus TRAC was introduced into market in 2019 and featured more durable interior, rear seat radio equipment allowing the observer to communicate with air traffic control, as well as Perspective+ flight deck.
Until nowaday, the Cirrus SR22 was made in almost 8,000 examples. Together with the SR20, the total number of the aircraft from the SR family built exceeded 9,500. It makes them both the most-produced GA aeroplanes of the 21st century, as well as the single most-produced GA aircraft made of composite materials.
