BeechTalk - BT - UPDATED PIREP May 2016: My Cross Country in the SR22T G5

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:00

Username Protected wrote:

Quote:

The Cirrus sales rep helped me narrow down what I'm looking for....2008 or newer G3 or newer, and a wife who thinks all of this is a good idea....

The way I interpret this is that the sales rep is going to:

1. Find you a 2008 or newer G3. (OK that is his/her job)

2. Find you a wife that thinks all of this is a good idea. What a sales person!

Not to mention his 10 or 11 year old son walked the flight line with me for a little ways and kept asking me when I was going to buy a Cirrus... Great father/son duo. I've got the right wife, just have to work through her decision making process....

Peace,
Don

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:09

Username Protected wrote:

Lots of comments about the spouse on this thread...

I have gotten to know Dale K pretty well and he told me several years ago, they were not designing an airplane for a pilot, but for a pilot's wife...

That's interesting! I'd never heard that before. In my experience they met that goal.

I've had employees and friends say the same thing as well, so maybe the broader target group was 'any non-pilot passenger'. But what did Cirrus do, specifically, that appeals to non-pilots?
Is a big map the main thing, or the view, or? To the people I've asked, the chute isn't a factor, but maybe it is subconsciously.
I'd really like to understand this.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:19

Username Protected wrote:

Lots of comments about the spouse on this thread...

I have gotten to know Dale K pretty well and he told me several years ago, they were not designing an airplane for a pilot, but for a pilot's wife...

That's interesting! I'd never heard that before. In my experience they met that goal.

I've had employees and friends say the same thing as well, so maybe the broader target group was 'any non-pilot passenger'. But what did Cirrus do, specifically, that appeals to non-pilots?
Is a big map the main thing, or the view, or? To the people I've asked, the chute isn't a factor, but maybe it is subconsciously.
I'd really like to understand this.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:24

Username Protected wrote:

That's interesting! I'd never heard that before. In my experience they met that goal.

I've had employees and friends say the same thing as well, so maybe the broader target group was 'any non-pilot passenger'. But what did Cirrus do, specifically, that appeals to non-pilots?
Is a big map the main thing, or the view, or? To the people I've asked, the chute isn't a factor, but maybe it is subconsciously.
I'd really like to understand this.

I think the the Parachute is a big part of it. It answers that age old question, "what happens if the engine quits."
The MFD that shows pax exactly where you are..
An interior that looks and feels like a luxury automobile.
Comfortable seats.
Doors that close like a car.
The instrument panel on the pilot side only and better visibility on the right so that passengers of short stature can see out rather than staring at an intimidating panel full of gauges that they are fairly certain their husband doesn't really understand.
A heating system so that blankets and frozen feet are not ops normal in the winter
Air conditioning..
Music
A lady can get in and out in a dress and retain her dignity

Flying for some pax is somewhat intimidating. The more you can make it look and feel like something familiar and with which they associate pleasure the less stressed they will be.

Who doesn't enjoy riding in a Lexus or a Benz?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:31

Tony hit the nail on the head on all four accounts. I can verify from personal experience. Those three items are what my wife told me. It is almost as if Tony had listened in on our conversations. So like it or not, agree with it or not, one reason that Cirrus is kicking butt is that they ARE marketing to wives and this is selling planes. When I started this venture, I was looking for a G2-G3 because I could not/would not purchase new. Actually she was the one that started the G5 talk.....for the above reasons.....and because our three little kids can all fit in the back seat.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 08:57

Checklists on the big display...

I never thought of the impact that would have on a passenger, but it instills confidence.

The capability of the passenger to easily control hot/cold just like in the car. This addresses the #1 complaint of our passengers.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 09:31

Doug, I am glad to see that you are also of the old school: "Lady" and "dignity" are two progressively diminishing resources in our society. I still much admire the likes of Olive Ann Beech.
Pilots that find those rare virtues are to be much envied.
TN

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 09:36

Username Protected wrote:

I think they did four things.

1. The got rid of the traditional panel and airplane control paraphernalia. Watch the face of a person who has never flown in a small plane before when they get in a plane full of switches and dials. Yes, they may think you are superhuman because you seem to be able to operate that thing. But it also fills them full of doubt, and fear.

2. They made the airplane as car like as they could. Two doors. No crawling over seats. And the doors open and close with a solid thunk that sounds familiar and comforting. The interior reminds one more of a European car than an airplane. The much maligned "plastic" structure of the plane is free from rivets, wavy metal and other things that make one wonder about how well put together and strong it is.

3. They gave passengers a sense of control. For people not used to being whooshed into the air in a small vehicle flight can be scary as well as exhilarating. People wonder what will happen if the pilot croaks, the engine quits or the plane "stops flying". The parachute allays those fears by giving them a sense that there is a safe "out" and that they can operate it. Despite Mike C's repeated comments that no passenger has ever pulled it perhaps the greatest value of the red handle is peace of mind.

4. They made it not old. Recently, a friend and I picked up my COO in my first airplane a 1990 F33A. On the way we talked about how cool the plane was and enjoyed the flight. When we picked up my employee as he was getting in he said "boy, I'll bet your glad this isn't your plane". Sort of hurt my feelings. But I understand what he meant. People who aren't pilots see a big difference between a Cirrus and older planes whether we want to admit it or not. This guy was relieved when we landed and he's a pretty experienced flyer in my Cirrus.

You pretty much nailed it Tony. I agree on all counts.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 13:01

Nice write up . There always seems to be a Cirrus in our airport ( KECG) 2-3 times a week . They really get around. Good looking aircraft.

Edward

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 13:26

Username Protected wrote:

Doug, I am glad to see that you are also of the old school: "Lady" and "dignity" are two progressively diminishing resources in our society. I still much admire the likes of Olive Ann Beech.
Pilots that find those rare virtues are to be much envied.
TN

There is a story as to why I included the part about getting out in a dress.

A friend of mine is a prominent member of the State House. She was flying with me in the Baron. She is a nurse, hospital executive, and a politician, so she speaks plain English... She grew up on a farm, married a farmer, and would be most comfortable in blue Jeans driving a tractor.

But this day she was gussied up in a nice dress. We were descending in to land and she turned to me and said, "How the Hell am I going to get out of this damn thing without flashing you?" I promised her I would avert my eyes....

In a Cirrus, she would have just stood up and stepped out.... It's the little things you know....

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 May 2016, 14:21

A little flash is good !

Edward

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 May 2016, 00:27

Username Protected wrote:

I agree with your sales guy - G3 and newer - 2008 and Newer

Why is the 2008 G3 and newer the version to get? Is turbocharged the way to go? I understand the G3 is best value but what about it makes it such?

Thank you!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 May 2016, 02:20

Username Protected wrote:

I understand the G3 is best value but what about it makes it such?
Thank you!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 May 2016, 05:08

Username Protected wrote:

I agree with your sales guy - G3 and newer - 2008 and Newer

Why is the 2008 G3 and newer the version to get? Is turbocharged the way to go? I understand the G3 is best value but what about it makes it such?

Thank you!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 May 2016, 09:50

Username Protected wrote:

I agree with your sales guy - G3 and newer - 2008 and Newer

Why is the 2008 G3 and newer the version to get? Is turbocharged the way to go? I understand the G3 is best value but what about it makes it such?

Thank you!