BRENDAN SOBIE / LAKELAND, FLORIDA
Manufacturer's plans for avionics and other modifications are set to draw heavily on existing SR22 technology
Cirrus has launched upgraded versions of its two-seat single piston-engined SR20. The developments, announced at last week's Experimental Aircraft Association's Sun 'n' Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida, are based largely on systems incorporated in the larger SR22, particularly avionics.
"Our ability to trickle down technology from the SR22 into the SR20 - and into the SR22 from the turbine world - will allow us to keep offering better value to our customers," says Cirrus.
The new Version 2.0 SR20 has no vacuum systems but instead uses an all-electric panel and features Avidyne FlightMax multifunction displays, which are standard on the SR22. The avionics package will include Garmin International's GNS 430 global positioning system navigation and communication hardware, and the S-Tec System 20 autopilot. It will include a standard electrically powered directional gyro for heading information. The electrical system is a single-alternator, dual-battery, dual-bus fault-tolerant system, similar to the one on the SR22. Goodrich's Stormscope weather avoidance and Skywatch traffic systems are also available on this version.
The SR20 Version 2.1 will feature the complete dual-alternator/dual- battery electrical system, in addition to Garmin's GNS 430 and 420 system, combined, and the S-Tec autopilot. This version is similar to the standard SR22 configuration.
The Version 2.2 will be equipped with a pair of GNS 430s with the S-Tec 55X autopilot, including altitude pre-select, and the Sandel SN3308 electronic horizontal situation indicator.
Chief executive Alan Klapmeier says the new versions should help drive down production costs and bolster sales. The SR22 is twice as popular as the SR20, he says, and the lack of commonality with its larger stablemate means SR20 customers are having to wait longer for delivery. Version 2.0's commonality with the SR22 should allow the company to increase production from eight to 10 aircraft a week. "By this summer, we'll be at 10 a week. Then we'll work towards three a day," says Klapmeier.
Meanwhile, European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for the SR20 continues to be delayed over what Klapmeier calls "a disagreement over what it is necessary for the aircraft to do" (Flight International, 9-15 April).
Source: Flight International
