On the first day of Christmas… I wish me a Cirrus
On the first day of Christmas… I wish me a Cirrus SR-22.
I love high-performance, complex aircraft. They are a must for serious IFR flying. Good climb performance, fast en-route and on the approach. They make the integration with airliners at busy airports easier and offer some power reserve if required.
The Cirrus SR-22 are the paramount of this category. Turbo engine, 180 knots in cruise, able to reach the flight levels rapidly. It can transport four people in comfort and class.
Thanks to Matthew, the pilot and blogger behind www.golfhotelwhiskey.com, I had the chance to test fly a Cirrus once, and I must say this is a great aircraft. Matthew also shared his experience learning to fly the Cirrus on this blog earlier this year.
The side-stick is a new experience but one get used to it quickly. Flying a fast aircraft safely ( ) is all about speed and the Cirrus is no exception. Staying in advance of this aircraft is a demanding task and this is where I find a lot of pleasure in flight. Put the modern avionics on top of that, and you’ll understand why I love it.
Please, dear Santa, I’d like a Cirrus.
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
Charlie Masters
Vincent,
How about wishing for a Cessna Corvalis TT. TWIN Turbocharged and Intercooled engine designed by Continental as a turbocharged engine, not an add on kit. Want to go fast? How about a legitimate 200 knot cruise at 12,000 ft burning only 17 GPH. Need to slow down to land or come down without shock cooling the engine? Deploy the standard speed brakes that are not even an option on the Cirrus. The Cessna has a true side-stick that commands the aircraft from your wrist, rather than the Cirrus side yoke that requires an awkward push – pull from your upper arm and a rotation from your forearm to manipulate. Add in whole aircraft lightning protection, static discharge capability, doors that can’t come open in flight, inflatable door seals, more robust flap hinges, three (rather than two) aileron hinges and aerodynamic trim all makes the Cessna 400 Corvalis TT and hands down winner that BTW does NOT require a parachute for airworthiness
Dec 2nd, 2009
Stan
You forgot to put TKS on that Corvalis.
Dec 3rd, 2009
Charlie Masters
The Corvalis has TWO anti ice options. TKS and Thermawing. Last year I was flying from Lake City Florida to Batavia Ohio, the home of Sporty’s Pilot Shop. It was in March and there was a 2,000 foot overcast with areas of snow I was avoiding with the on board XM NEXRAD. Near Lexington KY I was monitoring Lexington approach when I overheard this exchange (paraphrased)
Arrow: Lexington Approach this is Arrow *****
Approach: Arrow ***** Lexington
Arrow: Lexington Arrow***** is picking up some ice request lower.
Approach: Arrow ***** describe the ice
Arrow: What do you mean?
Approach: Would you describe the ice as slight, moderate, severe, clear, or rime
Arrow: Son, I am flying a single engine airplane, Any ice is severe, I need lower and you are wasting my time asking for some classification? Never mind, I see Danville I am going to land there, cancel IFR.
Now I don’t know whether the Arrow had Danville in sight or not, but this pilot realized the dangers of any ice and knew he should be spending his time doing something about it, rather than worrying about the type of ice he was encountering.
The point is, all of us in single pistons should use strategies to get out of the ice and not continue on in it.
Dec 3rd, 2009
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