BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 11:42

Username Protected wrote:

The big difference between a Cirri and a Beech is that the Cirri is not a 10,000+ hr 50 yr airframe like our Beeches....

What are you going to be doing in 50 years?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 11:46

Username Protected wrote:

Very interesting thread !!!!!

Prior to buying my latest Bo I had the fortune of flying several Cirrus and even had the chance to fly #5000 which was the 5000th Cirrus built. This SR22 was decked out with every innovation you can imagine and a price tag of around 800K. At the time I flew it and after being dazzled by the so to speak "new car smell" I was convinced I was going to buy one. Not the 800K model but a nice used SR22. The plane flew great and lets face it they look like a new Mercedes on the inside. I have always been that guy that wants the new model car or truck and the latest bells and whistles. Like most BTers I am what you would call a gadget guy. At the time I was looking to purchase I was comparing the SR22 and the A36 and owned a 1967 Deb. After I pulled myself back from "the new car smell" which by the way I never do, it came down to which one flew better and I could honestly not say the 800K Cirrus flew better than the 45 year old Deb I was flying. I did not sleep for several days because how was this possible? ( did I mention it had every bell and whistle? ) and I really wanted it !!!!!! So the bottom line is even after they threw the 800K model at one of the biggest gadget guys around they still could not mask the fact that the 45 year old Bo flew better, and that Beech hit an absolute home run in 1947 when they started building these beast we call BO's. The BO is the best flying plane around and there is just nothing like them in smooth and rough air. I have a 21 year old son that is just starting his license and we flew on Tues night this week and it was absolutely the best conditions you could ask for. Temp 42 degrees and winds calm after taking off and climbing out he looked at me and said " it just does not get any better than this dad". So in the end I will take my new to me 1976 A36 with it's new car smell AIR FRESHNER, 6 seats, new paint job, ever changing panel, and most importantly great ride and stability !!!!!! I would never fault anyone for buying the Cirrus as they are a great aircraft and they came very, very, very close to getting this gadget guy to buy one but in the end I am very happy with my decision and very happy with staying with the BO.

A true Beechnut! :thumbup:

Some people don't get it..we do. Very well said BTW, should be required reading for anyone looking for a SEL. Other planes can be very nice but still not a Bonanza. :peace:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 12:11

That's a pretty outstanding testimonial right there Bill. Thanks much for sharing your experience.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 12:16

Username Protected wrote:

Very interesting thread !!!!!

Prior to buying my latest Bo I had the fortune of flying several Cirrus and even had the chance to fly #5000 which was the 5000th Cirrus built. This SR22 was decked out with every innovation you can imagine and a price tag of around 800K. At the time I flew it and after being dazzled by the so to speak "new car smell" I was convinced I was going to buy one. Not the 800K model but a nice used SR22. The plane flew great and lets face it they look like a new Mercedes on the inside. I have always been that guy that wants the new model car or truck and the latest bells and whistles. Like most BTers I am what you would call a gadget guy. At the time I was looking to purchase I was comparing the SR22 and the A36 and owned a 1967 Deb. After I pulled myself back from "the new car smell" which by the way I never do, it came down to which one flew better and I could honestly not say the 800K Cirrus flew better than the 45 year old Deb I was flying. I did not sleep for several days because how was this possible? ( did I mention it had every bell and whistle? ) and I really wanted it !!!!!! So the bottom line is even after they threw the 800K model at one of the biggest gadget guys around they still could not mask the fact that the 45 year old Bo flew better, and that Beech hit an absolute home run in 1947 when they started building these beast we call BO's. The BO is the best flying plane around and there is just nothing like them in smooth and rough air. I have a 21 year old son that is just starting his license and we flew on Tues night this week and it was absolutely the best conditions you could ask for. Temp 42 degrees and winds calm after taking off and climbing out he looked at me and said " it just does not get any better than this dad". So in the end I will take my new to me 1976 A36 with it's new car smell AIR FRESHNER, 6 seats, new paint job, ever changing panel, and most importantly great ride and stability !!!!!! I would never fault anyone for buying the Cirrus as they are a great aircraft and they came very, very, very close to getting this gadget guy to buy one but in the end I am very happy with my decision and very happy with staying with the BO.

Yeah, but, but, Tim McGraw and Ken Griffey Jr. fly a Cirrus. :grr:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 12:28

Well, there goes their John Deere image :eek:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 12:49

Username Protected wrote:

When the warranty ran out, taking it to the Cirrus Service Center was expensive....I imagine it's like taking a Bonanza to a Beech Service Center.

Is there a reason it has to be taken to Cirrus Service Center as opposed to a local A&P?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 12:58

So the announcement was made on the website. They list the following specs for the SR22T:

Base Weight 2342 lbs (1062 kg)
Useful Load 1258 lbs (571 kg)
Cabin payload with 3 hr trip fuel and 45 min reserve
903 lbs (410 kg)

The non-turbo SR22 is:

Base Weight 2260 lbs (1025 kg)
Useful Load 1340 lbs (607 kg)
Cabin payload with 3 hr trip fuel and 45 min reserve 974 lbs (442 kg)

From the videos it would appear that a lot of the engineering went into making the CAPS system more robust to handle the extra weight.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 13:15

Username Protected wrote:

So the announcement was made on the website. They list the following specs for the SR22T:

Base Weight 2342 lbs (1062 kg)
Useful Load 1258 lbs (571 kg)
Cabin payload with 3 hr trip fuel and 45 min reserve
903 lbs (410 kg)

The non-turbo SR22 is:

Base Weight 2260 lbs (1025 kg)
Useful Load 1340 lbs (607 kg)
Cabin payload with 3 hr trip fuel and 45 min reserve 974 lbs (442 kg)

From the videos it would appear that a lot of the engineering went into making the CAPS system more robust to handle the extra weight.

Hey great, so 40 years later, the NA Cirrus is right back where the Comanche 260C left off in 1972

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 13:17

Username Protected wrote:

When the warranty ran out, taking it to the Cirrus Service Center was expensive....I imagine it's like taking a Bonanza to a Beech Service Center.

Is there a reason it has to be taken to Cirrus Service Center as opposed to a local A&P?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 13:28

Username Protected wrote:

Hey great, so 40 years later, the NA Cirrus is right back where the Comanche 260C left off in 1972

Well except the Comanche was not certified to Part 23, had no parachute, no Garmin G1000, no leather interior, no turbocharger (I'm not sure on that), no oxygen, etc. I realize that some will see that as an advantage, a purer flying experience. I don't disagree.
However when it comes time to load up the family for a ski trip I would rather have the 2013 model. Just different expectations.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 14:13

Username Protected wrote:

Hey great, so 40 years later, the NA Cirrus is right back where the Comanche 260C left off in 1972

Well except the Comanche was not certified to Part 23, had no parachute, no Garmin G1000, no leather interior, no turbocharger (I'm not sure on that), no oxygen, etc. I realize that some will see that as an advantage, a purer flying experience. I don't disagree.
However when it comes time to load up the family for a ski trip I would rather have the 2013 model. Just different expectations.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 14:20

I agree. My DA-40 is a 3 adults, 3/4 fuel aircraft in most circumstances. The Cirrus was not that much better so I never really considered it for an upgrade. Now it may work. It would certainly have a roomier interior.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 14:56

Cirrus just keeps hitting the ball further and further. In this case really far.

I hear you guys about a 40 year old Bo flying great and I agree, but honestly most of us hand fly the departure and the approach only.

It also isn't fair to make a one-to-one comparison. Cirrus has FIKI standard, Automatic climate control with A/C standard, a parachute standard (you don't have to use it), 100 Gals of fuel, turbo and O2 from the factory, and state of the art avionics. It's also really fast and easy to operate.

I HATE to say it, but Cirrus is becoming the only future in piston aviation.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 15:03

It is impressive what Cirrus is doing. Nothing is perfect, but at least they are trying.

A long time ago, one if the people who started the industry that I now work in told me that "You can always tell who the true pioneers are...because they have the arrows in their a$$"

Congrats to Cirrus for doing something while most others are ducking and covering.

KJ

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Jan 2013, 15:08

Username Protected wrote:

Cirrus just keeps hitting the ball further and further. In this case really far.

I hear you guys about a 40 year old Bo flying great and I agree, but honestly most of us hand fly the departure and the approach only.

It also isn't fair to make a one-to-one comparison. Cirrus has FIKI standard, Automatic climate control with A/C standard, a parachute standard (you don't have to use it), 100 Gals of fuel, turbo and O2 from the factory, and state of the art avionics. It's also really fast and easy to operate.

I HATE to say it, but Cirrus is becoming the only future in piston aviation.

Alex,

I was with you until the last statement. I don't think Cirrus is the future of piston aviation and I dang sure don't think its the only future.

We have a certification system set up to maintain the status quo because that is what the OEMS wanted. I think that is now changing. I'm optimistic that we'll see some really innovative aviation products rolling off the line in the next 10 years.

New Cirrus G5 Announcement Tomorrow