SR20 Gets SVT, Enhanced Vision Added As Option To Perspective

Times are tough for Duluth, MN-based Cirrus Design, as the piston engine market suffers under the throes of a troubled economy... but the company nevertheless continues to provide its own unique vision to the industry, and to its customers. At AOPA Expo 2008, Cirrus announced two noteworthy additions to its SR20 and SR22 line.

The biggest news by far is that Cirrus will now offer Enhanced Vision in conjunction with its popular Garmin G1000-based Cirrus Perspective avionics suite... giving even greater situational awareness to pilots of Cirrus aircraft.

Perspective EVS is based upon the Max-Viz EVS-600 multi-sensor system that blends visible light with traditional infra-red imagery. Perspective EVS offers advantages to pilots during virtually all phases of their flight: taxi; take-off and climb; en-route; approach and landing.

In particular, the ability to "see" clouds at night and avoiding potential icing conditions, turbulence or thunderstorms is invaluable with the new system.

"The capability of the SR20, SR22 and Turbo has changed the way Cirrus owners use their aircraft. Perspective EVS adds another dimension of safety for night operations," said Cirrus Chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier. "This complements and builds on Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology - which shows what should be there … now Perspective EVS shows you what is really there."

Perspective EVS is priced at $14,900, and is available only on the 12-inch Garmin screens. Cirrus says the more than 200 current owners of Perspective-equipped aircraft will have access to that price, including installation.

And speaking of Cirrus Perspective... owners of new SR20 aircraft will also have the option of synthetic vision. Cirrus Perspective by Garmin will now be available in new SR20 aircraft for delivery in early 2009, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of certification for Cirrus' first mass-market aircraft.

"As the first aircraft OEM to offer the Garmin 430 ten years ago, it is only natural that the very latest Garmin avionics suite would be offered across the entire Cirrus product line," Klapmeier said. "Cirrus Perspective by Garmin in the SR22 has been extremely well received since its introduction in May of 2008. Ultimately, with Cirrus Perspective pilots fly smoother, smarter and safer."

Cirrus Perspective in the SR20 will be available in either 10 or 12 inch screens, and will have the same capabilities as in the primary functions of the current system in the SR22. Additional primary features in Cirrus Perspective are its dual, solid state Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS). A key feature of the dual AHRS system, is its ability to self-align and restart while in flight.

Similar to turbine class aircraft, dual AHRS prevents any single component failure that would force a pilot into hand flying at an otherwise critical moment.

Unlike in the SR22, Cirrus will offer S-TEC autopilots in the new SR20. New model SR20’s will be available in three well-equipped package combinations: S, GS and GTS. The Cirrus Perspective-equipped SR20 S model starts at $269,900.

Klapmeier also touched on the situation at Cirrus, given the uncertain state of the GA industry due to the economic downturn. As ANN reported last week, the company recently scaled back production and implemented a shortened work week... and, laid off approximately 105 workers, in addition to the loss of 100 jobs in September.

"Cirrus enjoys very strong support from its private ownership group, Arcapita," Klapmeier stated. "Both the very considerable depth of Arcapita's asset base and the commitment of the Arcapita team to Cirrus ensure that our fundamentals remain very strong."

"We have made significant progress in recent months towards achieving our desired operating structure," added Cirrus President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Wouters. "Our next steps are to; rationalize inventory levels, retool the production line for greater product flexibility, and introduce new products/options and features our aircraft to stimulate demand."

Wouters acknowledged that production rates will be reduced for a period, but is confident "that all customer needs can be met."

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com