Some Days Are Just . . . Great!

spiderweb

spiderweb

Final Approach
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
9,488
Display Name
Ben
What people said about the Cirrus SR20 was quite true: fly by the numbers and keep it simple.

Took me just under 5 hours for the checkout this summer.

Then I flew a 7-hour cross-country during which I became zen with the buttons.

Two weeks ago I went up and did airwork, and the plane finally became an extension of my mind and muscles.

Then today, went up and did six landings. Only the first was good--the others were absolute greasers. (Just like Cirrus drivers had been saying: ignore the numbers and keep changing power settings and the Cirrus is a bear to land; but if you fly the approved profile and stick to those numbers, the Cirrus is a pussycat.)

So you could say, five hours to be safe, and fifteen to make it "sing."

I'm in love.

(Now, only if they could get a turbo SR22! . . . .)
 
Build an RV, and you'll throw rocks at the Cirrus! :yes:
 
cirrusmx said:
get into the 22 turbo and you will never want to fly the 20 nor the 22.:yes::yes::yes:
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I know!

There are two reasons I wish they rented that:

1) Turbo could get me above buildups in the Summer (at least some of the TCU), and

2) Some of them are FIKI, which is great for the East Coast.
 
airguy said:
Build an RV, and you'll throw rocks at the Cirrus! :yes:
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I've heard great things about the RV series. The only thing is I don't have any time to build. I only have time to fly!
 
PBristolJr said:
Plenty of built RV's for sale. Just have to weed out the junk from the winners!
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A good point!

I fly under 100 hours a year, though, unless training for a rating, so owning isn't a smart idea for me. I like being able to make a res online, driving out to the airport and blasting off!
 
spiderweb said:
A good point!

I fly under 100 hours a year, though, unless training for a rating, so owning isn't a smart idea for me. I like being able to make a res online, driving out to the airport and blasting off!
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Sounds like you need to find a friend who wants to be PARTNER on an RV, preferably one who likes to turn wrenches and take care of maintenance!:D
 
airguy said:
Sounds like you need to find a friend who wants to be PARTNER on an RV, preferably one who likes to turn wrenches and take care of maintenance!:D
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That's a thought!

And I would love to learn about maintenance. I know only the basics, but I'm fascinated by it!
 
spiderweb said:
What people said about the Cirrus SR20 was quite true: fly by the numbers and keep it simple.

Took me just under 5 hours for the checkout this summer.

Then I flew a 7-hour cross-country during which I became zen with the buttons.

Two weeks ago I went up and did airwork, and the plane finally became an extension of my mind and muscles.

Then today, went up and did six landings. Only the first was good--the others were absolute greasers. (Just like Cirrus drivers had been saying: ignore the numbers and keep changing power settings and the Cirrus is a bear to land; but if you fly the approved profile and stick to those numbers, the Cirrus is a pussycat.)

So you could say, five hours to be safe, and fifteen to make it "sing."

I'm in love.

(Now, only if they could get a turbo SR22! . . . .)
Click to expand...

What model? Is it the longer legged model? Avidyne or Perspective?
 
spiderweb said:
That's a thought!

And I would love to learn about maintenance. I know only the basics, but I'm fascinated by it!
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The maintenance is the fun part! Knowing how the plane works and taking the mystery out of it is a huge money saving and satisfying part of flying. I do all my own maintenance on my RV's.
 
nddons said:
What model? Is it the longer legged model? Avidyne or Perspective?
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It is a 2009 with Perspective, and it is longer-legged (which makes landings easier). There are actually two at the flight school.
 
Geico266 said:
The maintenance is the fun part! Knowing how the plane works and taking the mystery out of it is a huge money saving and satisfying part of flying. I do all my own maintenance on my RV's.
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I'd love to do it. Since I rent, it wouldn't save me any money, but I would still find it interesting!
 
SCCutler said:
I know of a bunch of folks who have graduated fom Cirri to Bonanzas, too...

...it's a disease. But you could have worse!
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If the flight school had a turbonormalized Bo, I would get the checkout, now. I know that Monarch in Addison has one, but I think the checkout on that would be too much for my typical 4-day visit to Plano.
 
nddons said:
Seriously? And give up that pilot-side door? I'm not sure I'd be in that camp.
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The thing is, it does not have that door, it is a bit cramped, etc., but have you ever flown a Bo? They are sweeeet flying machines. If I could get into a G1000 turbo Bo, I would switch in a heartbeat. Then again, there is more of a chance the flight school will get a turbo FIKI SR22, which would trump the Bo, for me.
 
Ben,
You are experiencing exactly what I did. I owned a 2006 SR 20 and my buddy owned a RV-10. Hands down the SR 20 was nicer in my opinion and in my buddy's opinion, the RV10 was nicer! His was definitely faster, but my was more comfortable! His climb rate beat mine, but the fit and finish is a lot nicer in the Cirrus than 75% of the RV 10's out there. My friend and I flew flights of two a few times and both machines were great! In the end, I would take either machine... BUT, would prefer the Cirrus as I personally love the side stick/yoke what ever! It is perfect for my frame and totally freed up my lap.
 
jmp470 said:
Ben,
You are experiencing exactly what I did. I owned a 2006 SR 20 and my buddy owned a RV-10. Hands down the SR 20 was nicer in my opinion and in my buddy's opinion, the RV10 was nicer! His was definitely faster, but my was more comfortable! His climb rate beat mine, but the fit and finish is a lot nicer in the Cirrus than 75% of the RV 10's out there. My friend and I flew flights of two a few times and both machines were great! In the end, I would take either machine... BUT, would prefer the Cirrus as I personally love the side stick/yoke what ever! It is perfect for my frame and totally freed up my lap.
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The Cirrus has the most thoughtfully laid-out cockpit of any singe I've flown to date. (Granted, I've only flown about 12.) I love the side stick, and I love the fact that resting your right arm on the armrest, your right hand is on the throttle. Love the keypad in the Perspective, and I love the room. My wife LOVES the room!
 
jmp470 said:
Ben,
You are experiencing exactly what I did. I owned a 2006 SR 20 and my buddy owned a RV-10. Hands down the SR 20 was nicer in my opinion and in my buddy's opinion, the RV10 was nicer! His was definitely faster, but my was more comfortable! His climb rate beat mine, but the fit and finish is a lot nicer in the Cirrus than 75% of the RV 10's out there. My friend and I flew flights of two a few times and both machines were great! In the end, I would take either machine... BUT, would prefer the Cirrus as I personally love the side stick/yoke what ever! It is perfect for my frame and totally freed up my lap.
Click to expand...

It's all in what you are looking for. Some pilots want Cadillac, some want Corvette. Cadillac is the Cirrus, it's all chrome and leather and pretty and you throw fuel at the weight and drag that comes with it. The RV series dispenses with all that unnecessary crap and we concentrate on getting there - that's what real airplanes are for. :D
 
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airguy said:
It's all in what you are looking for. Some pilots want Cadillac, some want Corvette. Cadillac is the Cirrus, it's all chrome and leather and pretty and you throw fuel at the weight and drag that comes with it. The RV series dispenses with all that unnecessary crap and we concentrate on getting there - that's what real airplanes are for. :D
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The Cirrus is a very fuel-efficient aircraft. At 65% power I am burning roughly 9.5 GPH at 150 kts. In a Cessna 172 I have the same fuel burn, in a smaller cabin, and I'm only making 110 kts.
 
nddons said:
Dear Ben:

I hate your guts.

Your friend,

Stan

:D

P.s. Where is this Taj Ma FBO?
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It is in Frederick, Maryland. They have two SR20s, a DA40, three C172Ss, one Seminole, three G1000 172s, and now a C182T.

I wish they had a six seater, and I wish they had a Seneca. If they did, I'd get my multi, and fly that thing all the time!!!
 
spiderweb said:
The Cirrus is a very fuel-efficient aircraft. At 65% power I am burning roughly 9.5 GPH at 150 kts. In a Cessna 172 I have the same fuel burn, in a smaller cabin, and I'm only making 110 kts.
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I wouldnt gage efficiency as GPH burned, but as NMPG.
 
Cirri at FDK, you say... hmm :)
 
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