Cirrus SR22 Aircraft Overview

Source:https://chatgpt.com/share/68b6289a-d530-8002-910f-dba69bfa50fc

Here’s a detailed rundown of the Cirrus SR22, with a focus on VX/VY and flap speeds, plus range, useful load, and other key flying considerations:

Core Characteristics & Variants

  • The Cirrus SR22 is a four- or five-seat, single-engine, composite aircraft, in continuous production since 2001. It's famous for its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS)—earning it the nickname "the plane with the parachute" en.wikipedia.org.
  • Several generations exist:
  • G2 (circa 2004),
  • G3 (airframe/wing updates, higher fuel capacity),
  • G5 (2013, higher gross weight up to 3,600 lb and improved CAPS, plus increased flap speeds),
  • G6 (2017, cockpit/lighting enhancements),
  • G7 (2024, redesigned interior, touch‑screen flight deck),
  • G7+ (2025, added Garmin Safe Return autoland) en.wikipedia.org.

V-speeds (G2 Example / Typical SR22)

According to a reliable G2/GTS spec sheet:

  • VS0 (stall, landing config): 59 kt.
  • VS (clean stall): 70 kt.
  • Vx (best angle climb): 88 kt.
  • Vy (best rate climb): 101 kt.
  • Va (maneuvering speed): 133 kt.
  • VNO (normal cruise limit): 178 kt.
  • VNE (never exceed): 200 kt johnbellaircraft.com.

Flap Speeds

  • G5 and later: Maximum flap extension speeds are:

  • First notch: 150 KIAS,

  • Second notch: 110 KIAS,

  • Full flaps: slightly more extension, but same limit www.aopa.orgen.wikipedia.org.

  • Community‑reported numbers for typical SR22 (G‑series) include:

  • Flap‑10°: 91 KIAS,

  • Flap‑20°: 85 KIAS,

  • Flap‑25° (full): 85 KIAS community.infiniteflight.com. These are conservative guide figures compared to manufacturer cert speeds.

Range & Useful Load

Useful Load

  • SR22T G‑series (as per Cirrus site):

  • Useful Load: 1,328 lb,

  • Payload with 3‑hour fuel + 45‑min reserve: 963 lb cirrusaircraft.com.

  • G6 example: Useful load ≈ 1,330 lb, with up to 92 gallons (~553 lb) usable fuel www.flyingmag.com.

  • Standard SR22:

  • Fuel capacity ~486 lb,

  • Payload with full fuel ~464 lb www.globalair.com.

Range

  • Typical range (standard model): around 659 nm johnbellaircraft.com.
  • SR22T turbo version: maximum range around 1,046–1,100 nm depending on configuration en.wikipedia.org.
  • SR22T G‑series (55 % power cruise) (from Cirrus spec):
  • Max Range: 1,169 nm (higher spec) cirrusaircraft.com.

Practical User Experience

  • From community pilots: If carrying 320 lb front, 200 lb rear, 100 lb baggage (~950 lb usable load), then with lean-of-peak at ~14 gph, you get ~3 h55m endurance → ~522 nm IFR range forum.cirruspilots.org.
  • Adding options like TKS, A/C, avionics reduces useful load and thus range forum.cirruspilots.org.

Other Pertinent Flying Info

  • Glass cockpit & envelope protection: SR22 was trailblazer in glass cockpits; newer generations include Garmin ESP and advanced flight envelope systems en.wikipedia.org.
  • Service ceiling: SR22 models are certified to 17,500 ft; turbocharged variants can reach 25,000 ft en.wikipedia.org.
  • CAPS: Ever‑present safety feature, with strong safety record—fatal accident rates dropped significantly as pilots trained to deploy CAPS correctly en.wikipedia.org.
  • Payload trade-offs: Options like FIKI system, air conditioning, TKS, autoland systems—great for capability but decrease useful load and range proportionally. For example, adding a lighter 3‑blade prop can increase useful load by about 12 lb cirrusaircraft.com.

Summary

ParameterTypical Value (G2/GTS)G5/G6/G7 Notables / Turbo Variants
Vx (best angle)~88 ktSimilar across models
Vy (best rate)~101 kt—
Flap speedsFlaps 10°: ~91 KIAS
Flaps 20–25°: ~85 KIASG5+: 1st notch 150 KIAS; 2nd: 110 KIAS johnbellaircraft.comwww.aopa.orgcommunity.infiniteflight.comen.wikipedia.org
Useful Load~1,050 lb (G2)
1,328 lb (G5/GTS)~1,330 lb (G6); payload with fuel ~960 lb
Range~659 nm (NA)
1,046–1,100 nm (Turbo)Up to 1,169 nm at 55% power (Turbo G-series)
Service Ceiling~17,500 ftTurbo: up to 25,000 ft
Unique FeaturesCAPS, glass cockpitAutoland (G7+), advanced avionics

Final Thoughts

  • Flap speeds vary slightly by generation—refer to your specific POH, but G5 and later offer higher flap deployment speeds, improving descent control.
  • Range and useful load are strongly influenced by configuration choices—options add capability, but trade down weight and fuel.
  • Aircraft management: Be mindful of weight balance with passengers, baggage, fuel; lean-of-peak operation extends range.
  • Safety features: CAPS remains a cornerstone of safety; modern avionics and autoland add layers of automation and protection.

I hope this gives you a solid overview of the SR22’s capabilities and performance—if you’d like a deeper dive into behavior in icing-equipped models, fuel planning, or cockpit specifics, just let me know!