Cirrus Aircraft is a manufacturer of single-engine light aircraft, some of which have been the best sellers of all time. Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, the company was founded in 1984 and began its aircraft development journey with a VK-30 homebuilt aircraft. The company has since delivered over 10,000 aircraft of various types. Cirrus has been the world's largest producer of piston-powered aircraft since 2013 and general aviation aircraft since 2022. This article explores several aircraft types produced by Cirrus.
✕ Remove Ads 1 Cirrus VK30 Manufactured: 1987-1993 Crew: One Capacity: Four passengers Length: 26 ft (7.9 m) Wingspan: 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m) Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m) Gross weight: 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) Max takeoff weight: 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) Maximum speed: 247 mph (398 km/h, 215 kn) at sea level Range: 1,300 mi (2,100 km, 1,100 NM)
The Cirrus VK-30 is a single-engine homebuilt aircraft introduced by Cirrus Design in 1987. The pusher-propeller VK-30 was originally offered as a kit model aircraft with a rather obscure design. The VK-30 could seat four passengers and a pilot, and could fly a range of 1,100 nautical miles at a cruise speed of nearly 200 knots (230 mph).
Photo: Michael Barrera | Wikimedia Commons ✕ Remove Ads
The aircraft is powered by a Continental IO-550-G horizontally opposed piston engine, generating 300 hR. (220 kW) takeoff power. The VK-30 became the base of the design and development of future aircraft and initiated the need for a conventional layout and a certified production aircraft. The lessons learned from the VK-30 were incorporated into Cirrus SR20, SR22, and the latest Cirrus Vision Jet.
The manufacturer delivered 13 examples of the VK-30 between 1987 and 1993. The VK-30 was later developed into the Cirrus ST50, with a larger ventral fin on the tail, a slightly larger fuselage, and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-135 turboprop engine. The aircraft first flew in 1994, and the company pursued certification but was unsuccessful. The type never entered production.
2 Cirrus SR20 Manufactured: 1999-Present Crew: One Capacity: 3 Length: 26 ft 0 in (7,92 m) Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m) Height: 8 ft. 11 in (2.72 m) Gross weight: 3,050 lb (1,383 kg) Range: 800 NM Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h) TAS Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m) ✕ Remove Ads
The Cirrus SR-20 is a light composite monoplane that was designed by Cirrus Aircraft in the early 1990s. The four-person aircraft performed its maiden flight in March 1995 and entered production following its certification in 1998. The SR-20 became Cirrus' earliest type-certified model.
Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock
Powered by a Continental I0-360-ES six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed piston engine generating 200 hR (150 kW), the aircraft can fly a range of 800 nautical miles at a cruise speed of nearly 155 knots (180 mph). In 1999, it became the first production general aviation (GA) aircraft to feature a parachute landing system in case of an emergency, including loss of control, structural failure, or midair collision.
✕ Remove Ads
The manufacturer continues to produce the type, with over 1,800 examples already delivered since 1999. In the early 2000s, SR20 was further developed into the Cirrus SR22.
Related Single Engine Excellence: A Look Into The Cirrus SR20
The SR20 and subsequent SR22 have been the best selling general aviation aircraft for the past 20 years.
Posts 3 Cirrus SR22 Manufactured: 2001-Present Crew: One Capacity: 4 Length: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m) Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m) Height: 8 # 11 in (2.72 m) Gross weight. 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) Fuel capacity: 92 US gallons (348 liters) Cruise speed: 183 kn (211 mph. 339 km/h) Range: 1,049 NM (1,207 mi, 1,943 km) Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m)
The Cirrus SR-22 is developed from the SR-20, featuring a larger wing, greater fuel capacity and range, and a more powerful engine. The SR22 became the first general aviation light aircraft featuring a full glass cockpit. The type is powered by a Continental IO-550-N 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engine, generating 310 hp (230 kW) in standard configuration and 315 hp (235 kW) in a turbocharged configuration.
✕ Remove Ads Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock
The aircraft can fly a range of 1,049 nautical miles at a cruise speed of nearly 185 knots (210 mph). In 1999, it became the first production general aviation (GA) aircraft to feature a parachute landing system in case of an emergency, including loss of control, structural failure, or midair collision.
The manufacturer continues to produce the type, with over 1,800 examples already delivered since 1999. The SR22 series has been the world's best-selling general aviation aircraft since 2003, with over 7,750 units delivered. The SR22 series accounts for nearly 50% of all piston aircraft and is the single most-produced general aviation composite aircraft. The Cirrus SR22 features a unique emergency recovery parachute system, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
✕ Remove Ads Related The Cirrus Parachute: How Does It Work?
The whole-airframe system has saved 249 lives so far
Posts1 4 Cirrus Vision SF50 (Vision Jet) Manufactured: 2016-Present Crew: One Capacity: six passengers Length: 30 ft 11 in (9.42 m) Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.8 m) Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.32 m) Gross weight: 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) Fuel capacity: 2,000 pounds (910 kg) Maximum speed: 311 kn (358 mph, 576 km/h) maximum cruise speed Cruise speed: 305 kn (351 mph. 565 km/h) Range: 1,200 NM 1,400 miles, 2,200 km) Service ceiling: 31,000 ft (9,400 m)
The Cirrus VisionJet is an all-carbon-fiber composite aircraft capable of seating up to seven people in a pressurized cabin. While Cirrus unveiled a mock-up of the Vision Jet in 2007, the conforming prototype was not ready until much later. The prototype first flew in March 2014 and following a successful test campaign, the aircraft received its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in October 2016.
✕ Remove Ads Photo: Cirrus Aircraft
The company began deliveries of the light jet in December 2016. The Vision Jet is powered by a Williams FJ33 turbofan engine, generating 1,846 lbf (8.2 KN) of takeoff thrust. The aircraft can fly a nominal range of 1,200 nautical miles at a cruise speed of over 300 knots (350 mph).
The aircraft features multiple emergency systems, including a whole-airframe ballistic parachute system and an autoland system. In 2018, Vision Jet received the Collier Trophy for the "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America." The manufacturer has produced over 500 examples of the Vision Jet since 2016.
2:52 Related 7 Features That Make The Cirrus Vision Jet So Popular
The small personal Cirrus Vision Jet is a marvel of simplicity, safety, and efficiency.
Posts ✕ Remove Ads