Cirrus scheduled maintenance items:

#2 Batteries Every two years
Chute Line cutters 6 years
Chute and Rocket 10 years
Inflatable restraint elec module 7 years
Seat restraint inflators 10 years

Brake o-rings 100 hours/ annual if SB hasn't been done
Induction duct flapper bolt 2 years/500 hrs
elt remote control battery 5 years
Boost pump 10 years

Is all that required under 91? If so, is it mostly due to the new certification standards? Just curious.

http://www.cirruspilots.org/

Here's their version of BT. Definitely not as cool.

Is all that required under 91? If so, is it mostly due to the new certification standards? Just curious.

Great comments - I knew some would see the basis of my decision.

Lawrance and Mulzer are funny dudes.

Wow... that would be a gorgeous airplane.

It'd certainly look better. Cirrus' are like ugly ladies, beautiful on the inside.

Need this:

http://www.sportaviationspecialties.com/Windecker.htm

Wow, a stealth composite airplane and a Lycoming IO-520 too...

Ale...couldn't agree more with your decision for a good solid IFR single engine plane. Owned 3 SR22s (two NA and one TAT Turbo) in the past and accumulated about 700 hours in them (wanted to learn glass panels before retrofits were available to the general fleet). I think that the "older" 22s are the best "IFR" deal in aviation today since they have already taken massive depreciation hits...my first 2005 SR22 listed for $450K and now asking prices are around $200-$250K... (don't get me wrong, still love Beech products and have owned/operated several singles and several Barons and currently flying an Aerostar). The SR22 is the plane I would buy again if I still wanted to enjoy IFR flight in a single (the parachute gives me comfort when flying over a low overcast, night time or over hazardous terrain and I cannot dead stick a landing and the chute certainly gives non-pilot passengers great comfort). Having some deicing capability is helpful when flying IFR vs. a bare wing airplane, but as Arlen stated, that wing does not like ice, inadvertent TKS installed or not. I once experienced a 50+ KIAS loss of airspeed when accumulating between light to moderate rime ice for less than "2 minutes" (and yes, the TKS system had been running for about 15 minutes before going into the clouds and the wings were literally flowing with fluid...no icing airmet or pireps but knew I had warmer air and VFR conditions below to subliminate the ice) which was a prime example of how fast an autopilot stall can happen in the SR22 while it attempts to hold altitude thinking that the TKS on this wing will protect you...NOT!!! Unfortunately I suspect several Cirrus pilots didn't know they were in trouble and therefore failed to activate the chute when it might have saved them before the plane got outside the operating envelope of the chute. Proper training (as always) is key to safe operation. Believe the chute repack costs around $10 - $12K+ (at least that is the advertised price) on pre 2005 planes (unsure of the exact model year) as the composite fuselage must be cut to gain access to the chute and believe later models had a simpler access "door" to service the chute. Also, I would buy the Avidyne 3 year extended warranty program (cost about $3,600 for 3 years) as the PFD/MFD is very expensive to service (screen replacement is in the $1500 to $3,000K price range and simple "minimum" bench service" in the same range as well. Fly the 22 from Sheridan, WY to Turks and Caicos and to Quebec, Vancouver...a very comfortable "long trip" airplane with an impressive climb rate (IF the wing is clean...even light rain will slow this plane down).

My experience says the Cirrus cost about the same to service as a retractable gear Bo with parts prices very similar. The DFC90 autopilot upgrade is just an outstanding option for only $10,000 and will prevent some autopilot stalls with its features plus a great safety factor for non-pilot passengers...push a button and go "straight and level"...pretty darn cool. When the DFC90 becomes available for the Beech products I am guessing about $50K to install one as you must have an Aspen PFD plus a Garmin gps to drive it. By the way, I was quoted about $8-10K to upgrade a 430 to WAAS in a Cirrus as have to cut into the composite to install the antennae and to run to new cable vs around $4,000 in a BO.

So while not as pretty as the Beech products and by no means less expensive to maintain...and yes I believe there will be continued depreciation even on the older 22s (but what plane isn't depreciating these days...but the newer 22s have lost value in the $50k -$100k range) buying a 22 is still a darn good decision. Personally I cannot feel comfortable sticking my nose in the clouds at freezing temps without some icing protection to allow me an icing out....BUT you must react quickly to any hint of icing in the Cirrus (obviously the newer FIKI model must handle ice better and I would love to see how the FIKI model performs in icing conditions vs. the inadvertent system (believe they extended the wing TKS panel "further aft" to prevent the fluid from separating from the wing along with imposing some TKS operational speed restrictions plus more TKS coverage on the elevator but not up to speed on all the FIKI changes)...but still would be very cautious with that wing in icing conditions, FIKI certified or not.

So for all the above reasons, NICE purchase Ale! Don't know your flying background but always wondered how a pilot can really gain real world IFR experience if they do not fly a plane with some icing equipment, XM for long range strategic planning (not short range tactical planning...need radar for that) and engine/instrument redundancy, unless you have another out and the Chute provides another out...a last ditch out. Compared to others on this board I have a modest amount of total time of about 4,000 hours with 2,000 in twins but have accumulated a bit over 800 hours in actual IMC which is a higher percentage of the total time than normal...but IMHO I only had the opportunity to experience this much actual IFR because of flying deiced twins and the Cirrus with the chute and inadvertent icing "outs". Not saying take more risk because of these two items....but they are definitely great backups and a last ditch out if best "non chute/non deicing" weather planning changes...and sometimes the weather just changes despite our best planning.

Enjoy your new ride Ale and let us know how you like it!

Tom

Actually on the older Models the fuselage is not "cut" for chute replacement. There is al panel that covers the chute and then is faired into the fuselage. What apears to be a cut is the composite material that is fractured to get the panel off. It was designed this way.

The newer models have a access so composite material is no longer an issue.

On the older models there is an art to reinstaling panel and composite material so the finished product looks good. There are many references on the COPA site that will steer you to a shop that has plenty of experience with the chute replacement and composite work.

Tom,

I have a little time in a SR22 FIKI and non-FIKI SR22 in icing conditions. Big difference; like you would not believe. The FIKI actually does better than many booted airplanes; my opinion and my instructor's also.

Tim

Tim...good to hear about the effectiveness of the FIKI TKS on the newer SR22. FIKI TKS on my TN A36 was also impressively effective. Wish TKS was an option on my Aerostar 601P/700. A FIKI SR22 would be a very good plane in my opinion if one doesn't want pressurization or a second engine for long overwater flights (at least I want a second engine for long overwater flights...even with a parachute, don't think the Cirrus would float for very long!) and for carrying a greater load than the SR22 can handle. Think I will watch the Cirrus market on these FIKI birds and wait about 5+ years as I suspect the depreciation will be 50%+ by the end of that period, unless the Cirrus substantial depreciation history somehow reverses.

Best,

Tom

Wow very educational Tom, thank you. The chute is $11,200 and I will be doing it this summer.

AG

Have a great time with your new SR22. I enjoyed my time in them!