Cirrus Adds Ice Protection and PFD

Also, SR22 owners can now select Avidyne's EMax, an integrated engine and fuel monitoring system. Once the EMax capabilities are integrated, the Avidyne FlightMax EX5000C multifunction display will display engine and fuel data in blocks on the full-screen moving map. Additional features include graphical fuel totalizer (nautical miles per gallon, fuel remaining and fuel flow), "lean" acquire mode and "percent horsepower" display. A dedicated engine monitor page will allow pilots to view engine parameters, and the system will warn if anything goes out of limits. The EMax option is available for both SR20 and SR22 airplanes at a list price of $5,750; kits will be available for current owners who want to upgrade their airplanes.

For the 2003 model year, Cirrus is offering an optional TKS anti-icing system for the SR22. The "weeping wing" system-that will deice the wings, horizontal stabilizer and propeller-will not be certified for known icing, but will be designed to allow pilots to escape from icing conditions. The fluid reservoir will hold about an hour's worth of protection in order to preclude pilots from thinking they can use the system to fly in ice. A known-icing system with a larger reservoir will be a follow-on development. The TKS system is priced at $19,700.

Perhaps the most impressive option intended for the 2003 airplanes is Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra, a primary flight display. The large, 10.4-inch diagonal display presents standard flight instrumentation, including attitude direction indicator (EADI), horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), altitude, airspeed, vertical speed and a moving map. The AHRS and electronic air data computer are built into the display case. In addition, the Entegra incorporates the autopilot mode control and a secondary GPS/Nav display. The Entegra Primary Flight Display will add $24,500 to the base price of the upgraded model, designated the SR22B, currently set at $307,500.

As its manufacturing process has matured, Cirrus Design has been able to reduce the man hours to produce an airplane from about 6,000 hours in 2000 to just slightly more than 1,600 today. According to Cirrus, revenues in 2002 are expected to be about $120 million; in 2003 the company predicts revenues of some $215 million. The company should be cash flow positive by the third quarter of this year and on the "verge of sustained profitability." The company, which is about to deliver its 500th airplane, is now producing its SR20 and SR22 airplanes at the rate of two per business day and expects to work off its 400-airplane backlog within a year.