Improving Upon A Great Airframe

On Tuesday, Cirrus announced the launch of the new SR22-G2. The model designation itself connotes the second generation of the relatively new SR22 airframe that is currently the best-selling personal aviation aircraft model in the world. So, how did Cirrus improve upon an already top-notch model? The SR22-G2 boasts a new fuselage with numerous enhancements and interior appointments.

Here are some of the key features offered in the SR22-G2:

Product Enhancements

Secure Latch™ Doors - A distinct new automotive-style door design allows the two oversized doors to be closed with less effort.  A single movement closes, latches and secures the door in two locations. Opening the door is ingeniously accomplished simply pressing a button. Even the baggage door has been enhanced with Secure Latch.

New Interior - Inspired by the world's finest automobiles, the SR22-G2 standard interior offers perforated leather seats in contemporary colors with French stitching, and leather wrapped side-yoke, throttle lever and grab handles.  Additionally use of a new composite material called Soft Touch™ provides a luxurious tactile experience throughout interior touch points.

6-Point Engine Mount - Originally offered on the limited-build Centennial Edition, the 310-horsepower Continental IO-550 (and optional Platinum IO-550 with custom exhaust) is supported by six engine isolators compared to the typical 4-point system on other aircraft. The new engine mount improves cabin comfort and delivers the smoothest ride possible.

Scimitar Select™ - Cirrus is the first manufacturer to use this new Hartzell propeller design on a production certified aircraft. The sword-shaped propeller blades provide maximum performance and efficiency by exploiting the specific performance characteristic of each section of the blended airfoil - the result is a scimitar shape that slices the air. The blade root is designed to provide maximum airflow into the redesigned cowl inlets. The blended airfoil provides the most efficient combination of take-off, climb and cruise performance.  The aerodynamically tailored sweep at the blade tip is designed to reduce transonic drag and noise. 

New Cowl - The SR22-G2 cowl has been reengineered to provide improved airflow management and performance by refining the shape and diminishing the size of the exhaust contours.  Additionally the oil access door has been redesigned for a more streamlined look.

General Enhancements - The cumulative effect of dozens of product refinements and manufacturing process improvements created an entirely new fuselage for the SR22-G2. The investment in precision tooling that helps reduce manufacturing time ultimately improves the consistency of the high-quality product.  Design improvements and stricter tolerances for the totally reengineered fuselage resulted in an overall empty weight reduction - thereby increasing payload/useful load.

Serviceability Enhancements

New Two-Piece Lower Cowling - A redesigned lower cowl simplifies removal and installation for servicing.  A new high-intensity headlight has also been reconfigured into the lower cowl.

Enhanced Wing Spar Access - In an effort to improve access to the hardware that connects wing spar to fuselage, the lower wing fairing is now attached with fasteners rather than bonding.

Convenient Tail Access - Already revered by A&Ps for easy access to critical areas, the SR22-G2 now has an access door on the right side of the empennage for greater access and flexibility for future options.

Improved CAPS Access - Routine inspections of the CAPS has also been improved for A&Ps as a result of the total fuselage redesign.

"We're introducing the SR22-G2 today because we have the technology, capability and desire to engineer improvements into our product that make it a better value for the customer," stated Alan Klapmeier, chief executive officer. "In fact, I think our launch advertising sums up the SR22-G2 best - it really shouldn't take fifty years for a product to evolve."

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com