Cirrus SR20


The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engine, four- or five-seat composite monoplane built by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota since 1999.
The SR20 was the first production general aviation aircraft equipped with a parachute to lower the airplane safely to the ground after a loss of control, structural failure or mid-air collision. It was also the first manufactured light aircraft with all-composite construction and flat-panel avionics.
The SR20 was developed into the Cirrus SR22, which was introduced in 2001 and is one of the most produced aircraft of the 21st century.

Design and development

The SR20 mock-up was unveiled in 1994. The aircraft first flew on 21 March 1995 and FAA certification was achieved on 23 October 1998. At the time of the airplane's release, the general aviation industry was struggling; the SR20 was one of the first of its kind to earn FAA Part 23 certification in several years.
Over a thousand SR20s have been sold since deliveries began in 1999. As of June 2015, more than 6,000 Cirrus aircraft had been delivered, something that no other aviation company has done for decades.
One of the major selling points for the SR20 is its Garmin Cirrus Perspective avionics suite with dual or screens: one primary flight display and one multi-function display. This provides all standard communication, navigation, and surveillance functions. Other avionics features include in-flight weather information and TCAS-like traffic information.
SR20s made from 1999 to 2003 were equipped with traditional analog instruments and a 10" MFD. In July 2003, Cirrus made PFDs standard on the SR20 and faster SR22, pioneering the use of glass cockpits in the light aircraft general aviation industry.
The SR-series remains the only airplane in its class to include side stick flight controls that combine aspects of a traditional yoke handle.
The SR20 and SR22 are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, a large parachute that can be deployed in an emergency to lower the entire aircraft to the ground safely. As of September 2018, the SR-series has deployed the system 79 times carrying 163 survivors.
On 1 June 2004, the SR20 became the first aircraft to achieve the new European Aviation Safety Agency certificate for aircraft imported into the European Union.
In 2004, Cirrus introduced the SR20 G2 and in 2008 the SR20 G3. Both were defined by airframe modifications, G2 by fuselage and G3 by wing/landing gear changes.
In 2012, "60/40 flex seating" was introduced, allowing up to three passengers in the rear with a split fold-down seat arrangement. This five-seat configuration was optional in 2012 but became standard equipment for 2013 SR20 models.
In 2016, Cirrus introduced enhancements to the SR Series, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a remote keyless entry, convenience lighting system, and a new easy access door latch, among other interior and exterior improvements.
In 2017, the company introduced the SR20 G6, with several upgrades to the avionics, new navigation lights and an increased useful load.
In September 2019, Cirrus unveiled the TRAC, a training-oriented version of the SR20 with a simplified interior, more durable seat material, backseat radio transmit switch to allow an observer to communicate with air traffic control, electronic stability and protection system, integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems, and simulated retractable landing gear controls and position lights to allow cadets and instructors to feign landing gear operation and failures during instructional flights.
In January 2020, the company introduced a new mobile app for the SR Series, called "Cirrus IQ", which enables remote aircraft communication including access to pre-flight status information like fuel and oxygen levels, battery voltage, oil temperature, aircraft location and flight hours. Upgrades also included a new stabilized approach advisory system for the flight deck.

Operational history

In 2011, the accident record of the SR20 and -22 was the subject of a detailed examination by Aviation Consumer magazine. The review concluded that the series has an overall accident record that is better than average for light aircraft, exceeded only by the Diamond DA40 and DA42. However, its fatal accident rate is much worse at 1.6/100,000 hours, placing it higher than the U.S. general aviation rate of 1.2 and higher than the Diamond DA40, Cessna 172, Diamond DA42, Cessna 182 and the Cessna 400, despite the Cirrus's full aircraft parachute system.
By 2014, the accident rate had been dramatically reduced, with a 2013 fatal rate of 1.01 per 100,000 flight hours. This was attributed to better training, particularly in when to deploy the ballistic parachute system.
By 2015, the accident rate had continued to decrease, with a 2014 fatal rate of.42 per 100,000 flight hours, making it one of the best safety records in the industry. This marked the fewest fatalities in a single year for Cirrus since 2001, and the first year where the number of CAPS deployments exceeded the number of fatal accidents.

Variants

;SR20
;SR20 G2
;SRV
;SR20 G3
;T-53A
;SR20 G6
;TRAC

Operators

Civil

The SR20 is popular with many flying schools and is operated by private individuals and companies. The largest operators are CAFUC operating 40 aircraft, Aerosim Flight Academy which operates 34, Western Michigan University which has 29, Lufthansa Flight Training with a fleet of 25 and Purdue University with 16.

Military

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Between 1999 and September 2019, the SR20 was involved in 35 known fatal accidents. Listed below are a select few of the most notable ones.