Cirrus SR22
Cirrus Aircraft · United States · first flew 2000 · light aircraft
The Cirrus SR22 is a high-performance four/five-seat composite single, best known for its standard whole-airframe Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.92 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Whole-airframe CAPS parachute
- Composite low wing
- Side-yoke controls
Look for the sleek composite low wing, bulged cabin and the small CAPS parachute hatch on top of the rear fuselage. The fixed undercarriage and one-piece windscreen give it a modern, streamlined profile.
Specifications
- The Cirrus SR22 has a length of 7.92 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.68 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 344 km/h (214 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 (4 seats).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Certified in 2000 as a more powerful development of the SR20, the SR22 became the best-selling general-aviation aircraft of its class for many years. Its CAPS ballistic parachute, glass cockpit and sleek composite airframe redefined buyer expectations for light singles.
Variants
The turbonormalised SR22T adds high-altitude performance, while successive generations brought updated avionics and the Perspective glass flight deck. The technology underpins Cirrus's later SF50 Vision Jet.
Where you'll see it
In the UK the SR22 is popular with private owners and syndicates flying touring and business trips from regional airfields. Its parachute system and modern avionics make it a favoured step up from basic trainers.
Related aircraft
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