Duluth, Minn. (11/06/2008)
Cirrus Design Corporation, a recognized global leader in the manufacturing of personal aviation aircraft, announced today at the Airplane Owners and Pilot’s Association (AOPA) Expo, that Cirrus Perspective by Garmin will now be available in new SR20 aircraft for delivery in early 2009. Cirrus Perspective offers pilots more precision, simplifies the presentation and usage of critical flight information and increases overall flying comfort and enjoyment. The combination of new features and capabilities in the SR20 Cirrus Perspective will ultimately simplify aircraft operation, enhance situational awareness and increase flight safety.
“As the first aircraft OEM to offer the Garmin 430 ten years ago, it is only natural that the very latest Garmin avionics suite would be offered across the entire Cirrus product line” noted Cirrus Chairman Alan Klapmeier. “Cirrus Perspective by Garmin in the SR22 has been extremely well received since its introduction in May of 2008. Ultimately, with Cirrus Perspective pilots fly smoother, smarter and safer.”
Perspective can include Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) which is the three-dimensional depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the PFD. With SVT, the revolutionary 3D graphical presentation on the panel is now consistent with what the pilot actually sees outside the airplane in clear conditions. SVT also includes helpful features like a flight path marker, Pathways (Garmin’s implementation of highway-in-the-sky), and unique runway highlighting and airport signs.
Cirrus Perspective in the SR20 will be available in either 10 or 12 inch screens, and will have the same capabilities as in the primary functions of the current system in the SR22. Additional primary features in Cirrus Perspective are its dual, solid state Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS). A key feature of the dual AHRS system, is its ability to self-align and restart while in flight. Similar to turbine class aircraft, dual AHRS prevents any single component failure that would force a pilot into hand flying at an otherwise critical moment.
Unlike in the SR22, Cirrus will offer S-TEC autopilots in the new SR20. New model SR20’s will be available in three well-equipped package combinations: S, GS and GTS. The Cirrus Perspective-equipped SR20 S model starts at $269,900.
The critical feature unique to Cirrus Perspective is the blue ‘level’ (LVL) button. At just a push of the LVL button, the airplane will straighten and level on its own without any additional pilot input. This single feature gives Cirrus pilots a valuable few extra moments during a high workload situation or in-flight emergency to better assess overall situational awareness … the few moments needed that can be the difference in the safe operation and outcome of the flight.
Additional new Cirrus Perspective features and components include:
•Integration of Garmin’s sophisticated GFC 700 autopilot with new increased roll and pitch engagement attitudes or the more cost effective S-Tec 55 autopilot.
•Dual integrated radio modules that provide ILS and Class 3 Gamma WAAS with the capability to execute LPV approaches; VHF navigation with ILS; and VHF
communication with 16-watt transceivers and 8.33-kHz channel spacing.
•GTX 33 Mode S transponder will be standard in equipment 2009.
•Alpha-numeric keypad located on the center console that enables the pilot to control the avionics’ functionality at the natural hand location.
•“Go Around” button located on throttle for nearly eliminating the increased workload on missed approaches. One push disconnects the auto-pilot, puts the flight director in a pitch up attitude and activates the missed approach segment.
•“Indicated Airspeed” mode that allows pilots to select a desired indicated airspeed that will hold as the autopilot ascends or descends to selected altitude.
•Digital audio control system.
•Full reversionary capabilities, allowing all flight-critical data to transfer seamlessly to a single display for added safety during flight.
•Standard Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) with worldwide terrain and obstacle database.
•Garmin SafeTaxi® airport diagrams that simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase safety when taxiing.
•Garmin FliteCharts® for Terminal Procedures.
•Optional Garmin ChartView® (powered by Jeppesen).
•Integrated caution messaging.
•Extended weather awareness options.
New SR20’s will begin deliveries in February 2009 yet ordering today will allow customers to take advantage of the current tax incentives.