Cirrus Aircraft News

Today Cirrus Aircraft announced a range of new software upgrades to its innovative Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics suite, adding even more functionality and ease of use to the most capable cockpit in GA today.

Jon Dauplaise, Cirrus Vice President of Domestic Sales, noted the importance of the new features. “The Cirrus Perspective by Garmin cockpit is already the most intuitive, feature-rich, and pilot-friendly avionics system available in GA. Class-leading innovations include the largest 12” PFD and MFD screens, 3-D synthetic vision (SynVis), alphanumeric keypad for data entry, the ‘blue level’ button for enhanced pilot and passenger safety, GFC700 digital autopilot and digital flight control servos, integrated Flight Into Known Icing system capability and more.”

Dauplaise continued, “As advanced as the current Perspective system is, we have listened to our owners and operators and today have a new set of features and benefits to add to Perspective that offer even more capability, further pilot workload reduction and simplified operation. The Cirrus and Garmin engineering teams continue to impress us with these new features that leverage the unique and powerful integrated systems and technology of the Perspective platform.”

Key components of the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin software upgrade include:

• Underspeed Protection on the Autopilot: If currently selected mode will result in unsafe low speeds, the autopilot will depart the selected vertical flight path and maintain one that preserves stall margin 
• Coupled Go-Around: The autopilot will not disconnect at go around but instead will preserve stall margin if insufficient power or performance are available, i.e. the Underspeed Protection mode above. 
• Hypoxia Check/Automated Descent Mode (ADM):  Hypoxia recognition and automated altitude step-down recovery in the case of an unresponsive pilot
• FMS User Interface changes: Simplified navigation in the flight plan page 
• Metar Flags on MFD Map and FPL page 
• “Banana Bar” for selected altitude intercept: Depiction on the MFD of the current decent or climb rate where on the altitude selected will be intercepted
• Flight Plan Profile View on MFD: Display of terrain, obstacles and winds aloft within ±3500’ of aircraft altitude.

This latest software upgrade of the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics system- when ordered with the Garmin GFC700 autopilot – is included on orders placed today.  Final certification is currently underway with system installation via a software update anticipated in Fall 2010. Current owners of Cirrus Perspective by Garmin equipped SR-Series aircraft can also upgrade their systems at that time.

For more information visit cirrusaircraft.com or visit the Cirrus Aircraft display at EAA AirVenture and speak with a company representative.

Cirrus Aircraft now has a new option for SR20 and SR22 aircraft used in a training environment: a means to simulate the use of retractable landing gear.

Instructor pilots can simulate landing gear system failures such as “right gear unsafe” and learn appropriate procedures to troubleshoot or solve the problem while actually flying an aircraft. The Cirrus SR20/SR22 fixed landing gear allows these learning scenarios without risk to the aircraft.  This instructor fault selector panel is shown below.

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The first year of 10-year service requirements on Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS™) is well underway and we have completed over 30 repacks around the world. 

Planning

Cirrus Aircraft has been preparing for the upcoming 10-year service requirements to ensure the overhaul process was defined and our owners could meet the requirements through a timely, organized and established process.  The following items are part of the process: 

• ATF licensing logistics (and similar entities outside of the US)
• Shipping and hazardous materials logistics
• Cirrus training on repack process allows expertise and ensures additional supply source and timeliness of supply
• Testing of G1 and G2 aircraft styles to establish/validate the process and determine expected labor times
• Life limit data analysis to support possible life limit extension of different components

CAPS™ Qualified Authorized Service Centers

Additionally, our Authorized Service Network has been preparing to support the initial and increasing need for the 10-year CAPS service requirements.  CAPS is uniquely specialized and therefore requires a qualified service center to have an ATF license, specific curriculum for training, a qualified storage magazine and the ability to ship and receive hazardous materials.  An Airframe and Powerplant license alone is not sufficient credentials for performing maintenance on the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. 

Cirrus Aircraft provides assistance through the paperwork and qualification process to assist our Authorized Service Centers preparing to support this program.   There are currently 24 service centers approved in the US and four outside of the US.  The current list of CAPS qualified Authorized Service Centers is available at the end of this post.  This network will be growing rapidly to support field requirements.  At this time, there are an additional nine (9) service centers pursuing the CAPS qualification process.  As additional service centers qualify to support this service we will provide updates.

Pricing

Initial kit pricing was set at $9,385.00 US for an overhauled exchange parachute and new rocket along with a few other kit parts.  Line-cutters are not included in the overhaul kit as they have up to six (6) years in-service life, which does not align with the rest of the CAPS components. There is approximately 30 hours of labor required to complete the removal and replacement of the CAPS components on G1 style aircraft.  On G2, and subsequent aircraft, the installation is expected to be fewer than 20 hours of labor since the replacement can be accomplished from the cabin with no need to paint.

Due to process expansion of our in-house capabilities we are pleased to announce a kit price reduction to $8,682.00 US effective immediately.  For owners who have completed the service requirements at original pricing, we are coordinating a $703.00 coupon good toward merchandise at the Cirrus Connection Store or part purchases with your Cirrus Authorized Service Center.

In addition to the overhauled exchange parachutes currently available, we are adding an option to purchase a new parachute for $13,182.00 US.  All prices reflect a core exchange.

In-House Capabilities

Cirrus Aircraft was integrally involved with the development of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System by participating in the rocket and parachute testing.  Over the last year, we have been establishing our own parachute packing capabilities at the Cirrus worldwide headquarters in Duluth, MN, and are pleased to announce that we are packing new parachutes for production and overhauling parachutes for our current owners.  We still use the same established supplier to make the parachute, however, now have Cirrus personnel that were trained by the master rigger who developed the CAPS parachute pack.

Cirrus Aircraft now owns the rocket design and produces rockets and igniters under guidance of the CAPS rocket designer.  Additionally, we have begun operating the facility where CAPS rockets were designed and have been produced for over a decade.  All efforts have been coordinated with the appropriate experts and businesses to ensure consistency and quality of the products.

Lead-Time

Knowing the delivery dates of the aircraft sold in 2000 and the expected month of service should determine the 2010 CAPS 10-year overhaul schedule, however, the actual replacement schedules do not exactly match the expected schedule.  There are instances of owners performing the CAPS overhaul service early.  There are also instances of aircraft that are overdue for the CAPS 10-year overhaul requirements.  We encourage our owners to validate their Time Limited Parts replacement schedules.  The CAPS (parachute/rocket) information can be found in the front pages of your original airframe logbook. 

These kit components are specialized and time-limited and, therefore, will not be in stock at any of the CAPS qualified Authorized Service Centers at this time. To best meet your needs, we are requesting a 4-week notice of your scheduled date to have the overhaul service performed.  Please coordinate with the CAPS qualified Authorized Service Center of your choice.

Understanding your CAPS service requirements

As a reminder, Cirrus recommends the following items be overhauled or replaced at the intervals in the table below. To ensure correct observation of these times, the date of removal, installation, or overhaul of such components, as well as the airplane's flight hours, must be entered into the Service Time Record filed in the Airplane Maintenance Log.

For a complete list of CAPS trained Authorized Service Centers:   Service centers 8-23-10.pdf (49.19 kb)

If you need more information, please contact the Cirrus Helpline at 866.290.0418

COPA organizes recurrency training with Cirrus-specific flight and ground instruction during a weekend of socializing with like-minded COPA members and their partners.  Many members choose to make CPPP a key part of their annual or biannual training. The CPPP weekend offers participants nine ground courses, two segments of flight instruction with some of the most experienced Cirrus instructors, a Partner-in-Command program, and all meals including a Friday night welcome reception and a Saturday night dinner. CPPP weekend recurrency training now qualifies for FAA Wings credit.

To reserve your seat or for more information regarding the event contact please see the CPPP Website or contact Hal Samuels:  hsamuels@hpcoachingteam.com

The registration deadline is July 6.

The CPPP Event will be held at:
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport [KMKC]
Executive Beechcraft Center
800.821.7992

Friday, August 6  - Sunday, August 8

For more information contact:

     Bill Settle, Regional Sales Director at 303.517.6965  or mail:  bsettlejr@cirrusaircraft.com.
 
     Jeff Sandusky, Regional Sales Director at405.650.5900 or mail:  jsandusky@cirrusaircraft.com.

Kicking off the eighth annual meeting of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, today Cirrus Aircraft introduced the SR22T, the newest member of the SR22 family of composite piston aircraft. The SR22 series is the world’s best-selling four-seat airplane for eight years in a row.

The key feature in the new SR22T is the availability of the Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) twin-turbocharged TSIO-550-K engine. This engine installation was co-developed via a unique partnership between engineers at TCM and Cirrus Aircraft and is not currently available in any other production aircraft.

Commenting on the SR22T’s development, Cirrus Aircraft Executive Vice President, Pat Waddick praised both the partnership and the airplane’s performance. “Thinking forward, sometimes years forward, is a hallmark of Cirrus Aircraft. In addition to a quieter operation, lower weight, a smoother ride and many other refinements, the new SR22T offers Cirrus customers a high performance, twin turbo-charged option with the additional benefit of greater future fuel flexibility.” 

Starting with the latest generation SR22 airframe, design improvements for SR22T include the unique installation of the TSIO-550-K engine fully backed by a TCM factory warranty, smoother and lighter nose landing gear and a redesigned cowl with dedicated induction inlets and exit air louvers for improved cooling. The SR22T also features new environmental control system hardware that supports up to 50 degrees of additional cabin heating capability at all altitudes. Finally, all SR22T standard and customer optional systems – flight into known icing, environmental systems, charts, weather, including engine operations, and more – integrate seamlessly with the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin™ cockpit.

Performance is also upgraded in SR22T.  Notable enhancements include improved takeoff and climb, quieter takeoff and climb noise levels, higher useful load and better deceleration from high-speed. 

Waddick added, “With the introduction of the new SR22T model, Cirrus continues to offer the SR22 Turbo with the twin turbo-normalized “Tornado Alley Turbo” STC.  Depending on a customer’s personal priorities and preferences, Cirrus offers a choice of either aircraft with essentially equal performance.”

Commenting on flying the second production SR22T from the U.S. to Europe nonstop just 10 days ago, Cirrus France Director Regis Masson praised the new airplane’s performance and capabilities. “I have just crossed the North Atlantic from Duluth to Paris in a new SR22T in 22 hours. It climbs like a rocket to 25,000 feet and a few times I had to reduce power for others to keep up. The airplane runs like a Swiss clock … it delivers on everything it promises and more!”

The SR22T carries a base price of $475,000 and is well-equipped at $525,900. Orders can be placed immediately as SR22T production is well underway with first customer deliveries on June 21 at company headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. 

Learn more about the SR22T.

June 2010
 
Cirrus Aircraft Community,
 
Recently there has been much industry discussion regarding the future of 100LL aviation gasoline, the likely transition to an unleaded aviation fuel in the future and the possible impacts to owners, operators and general aviation industry health of a future fuel. While this subject is by no means a new issue, the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuance of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) regarding lead content in aviation fuel formally initiates a regulatory decision-making process and has increased awareness of this topic and its potential future impacts.  Cirrus has been actively working on this fuel issue for many years now and we are integrally involved in the industry leadership team working with the EPA, the FAA, and avgas producers. Simply, we are aggressively focused to achieve the very best path ahead and Cirrus will ensure that this path will keep your aircraft flying with the minimum possible transition and operating costs.
 
Many aircraft manufacturers - including Cirrus - and GA industry organizations agree that a transition to unleaded fuel is appropriate. Moreover we collectively agree that every effort should be made to find a transparent or near-transparent replacement fuel for 100LL.  However, a very significant amount of research completed over the last 10 years to identify a suitable 100 octane, or near 100 octane, unleaded fuel has not yet resulted in a clear solution for a replacement fuel.  There are several encouraging new high octane unleaded fuel formulations being evaluated, such as Swift fuel and GAMI’s G100UL, and Cirrus is supportive of all these efforts. However, the challenge with these and any new fuels is in having to address many issues beyond simply octane rating. Those other issues include operation at temperature extremes, fuel stability over time, health and safety aspect of the fuel and its combustion products, material compatibility, ‘producibility’, cost and so on. As a result and at present, the octane level of a future fuel is uncertain. We do know that the lowest octane level that we may have to contend with is 94, or 94UL as it is called. This is essentially what is left when the tetra-ethyl lead is removed from the 100LL. Cirrus is working on contingency plans in case we are stuck with a 94 octane fuel,  but let me be clear: Cirrus Aircraft does not believe that a 94UL solution is desirable for its owners or the health of the industry, and will strive for a better replacement fuel.
 
What is the industry plan?  The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) are collectively committed to working with EPA and FAA toward the development of a Future Avgas Strategy & Transition Plan (FAST) to help achieve significant reductions in lead emissions from GA aircraft along a timeline which balances environmental benefit with aviation safety, technical feasibility and impact upon the GA industry.  It’s clear objectives are to:

• Identify the best possible unleaded avgas replacement fuel by working with the avgas producers, fuels research organizations, owners and operators, the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), ASTM groups, engine and airframe manufacturers, and FAA.
• Consider the impact, if any, on the existing fleet and fuel infrastructure and long term availability (including cost).
• Develop a transition plan to unleaded avgas that preserves the health of the industry and reduces impacts on owners and operators.

This avgas stakeholder group leadership team is also engaging in collaborative efforts with aircraft owners groups, such as COPA.  While research continues toward the best unleaded fuel solution, the stakeholder group is evaluating a two step transition process. First, provide near term reductions in lead emissions from GA by reducing the lead content of 100LL that would be completely transparent to existing aircraft.   Second, define a transition to a viable unleaded avgas along an approximate 10 year timeline depending upon the impact on aircraft and/or fuel production and distribution infrastructure. 
 
What is Cirrus Aircraft doing?  Our efforts are focused in three main directions.

• Leadership & Advocacy. Cirrus chairs the primary industry working group team which began as a GAMA-based committee and has expanded to collaborate with AOPA, EAA, and other key stakeholder groups. This provides Cirrus with the information and access to the key stakeholders, including oil companies, to help guide efforts that will promote the best solution, which, again, is preferably a 100 octane or near-100 octane transparent replacement avgas.
• Fuels Research Support. Cirrus has availed itself to support the needs of aviation fuels research entities. This support can range from on-aircraft testing, to chemical compatibility testing for airframe structures and system components, to feedback on operational and cost aspects. Cirrus also participates in the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) technical research group and the ASTM unleaded fuel group.
• Flexible Aircraft Solutions. Due to the uncertainty involved in this issue, Cirrus is developing solutions for both existing and new aircraft that address a wide range of possible fuel specification outcomes. This doesn’t change our commitment to finding a transparent solution. This week we are introducing a new aircraft model in the SR22 family which is flexible to a wide range of future fuel octane ratings. At the same time, we are working help ensure that all of our aircraft models, both new and in the field, will be compatible with a future unleaded fuel in either a transparent sense or with reasonable upgrade paths.

At Cirrus we are always thinking and planning ahead, and as in this case, sometimes years ahead. We understand the well-placed concern around the fuel issue as it affects the Cirrus Aircraft community. Your priorities are our priorities and we will help take care of our fleet and your well-being. 
 
Again, we plan to communicate regularly on this issue and encourage feedback to better tailor our efforts to your needs and address concerns.
 
Best regards,

Brent Wouters
President & CEO
Cirrus Aircraft
 

On Wednesday, June 2, Cirrus Aircraft held an webinar for jet position holders and media to update them on the progress of the Cirrus Vision personal jet.  You may view that webinar here:  CIRRUS VISION UPDATE, JUNE 2010

Every June, Robb Report publishes its annual "Best of the Best" special issue, which represents the culmination of an entire year's search for excellence in every aspect of the luxury lifestyle.  For the eighth time, Cirrus Aircraft's SR22 is honored to be among Robb Report's "Best of the Best." 

Naples News tells the story of Cirrus owner, single dad and roofing company president, Ken Kelly, will be flying down to Haiti this month to test a scheme for turning empty shipping containers into homes for Haitians displaced by January’s earthquake. The roof of the units is key to making them work, and Kelly was instrumental in creating the design.

Read the full story here.

Ken and Austin Kelly stand by the plane they will fly to Haiti later this month to build housing units for residents made homeless by the country's earthquake. Ken is on the board of Hope Contained, whose goal is to turn shipping containers into houses in Haiti and elsewhere. Photo by Lance Shearer courtesy of Naples News.