Well OK I've been banging on about getting a Cirrus SR22 for as long as I can remember, but in the early summer of 2007 a number of things came together. By nature I am cautious and will analyse everything and so I have looked at every alternative. I rather liked the new Evektor Cobra at one stage even to the point of considering setting up a dealership but like the TB20 it has complexity built in and Evektor in their wisdom developed the low powered version (200 hp) first then discovered that the 310hp version would sell better so started developing that and delayed its arrival on the market yet again. A TB20 was a possibility but they seemed to be a lot of money for what you get compared to a Cirrus. A Cessna 210 looked a possibility at one stage but I've had an older plane and learned the lesson of increased maintenance cost the hard way. My criteria were for something fast, roomy (my Robin is wonderful but with only42" width is a little cramped after 4 hours flying) and which could do UK to Cannes without a fuel stop. The Cirrus kept popping up in the analysis. I did look at twins - the twin commanche appealed but once again dangly wheels two engine etc adds up to a lot of maintenance.
As it seemed that every time I analysed
it the SR22 came out on top I'd better put up or shut up. In early summer
2007 I was able to liquidate some assets at a good price and the dollar went
over $2=£1
Now where to get one. I joined COPA the Cirrus Owners and Pilots
Association - an excellent helpful body of people. I had a half excuse to go
to the States for business so decided to go to their annual convention
in Duluth and look at what the factory had for sale second hand (had to be
sec
ondhand my asset raid would not stretch to a new one and Cirrus has been hiking up the new price so it is nearly $1/2 million.
The Association have an annual get together called a migration at Duluth (which interestingly is where Bob Dylan came from - must explain his melancholy) There are excellent sessions and lectures as well as a comprehensive exhibition (mainly suppliers, brokers, etc) I was intending to go to the two full days but missed all of one day checking out the for sale lot at the factory.
Impressions of flying a Cirrus after a Robin? Well its rather like going from a venerable Morris Minor to a BMW 7 series. My immediate thought after an hour or so was that I could understand how celebs in the States could ring up, buy one have it delivered, go throw it round the sky and then try to get out of trouble pulling the chute. It is seductive. In the same way as with a morris minor with dodgy brakes you are aware of your vulnerability and take extra care, yet with a BMW roadholding and ABS brakes you might be tempted to take the corner faster - I think the SR22 might lull the unwary with all its gadgets. I flew again in the States - here I was able to experience XM weather and radio. truly amazing seeing real time rainfall radar and listening to Chopin through the BOSE headsets.
I looked at several and talked to a couple of brokers as well. The factory has been gradually increasing their s/hand business and have an impressive range on the ramp at any one time. Jon Duplaise (Cirrus secondhand manager - if that sounds pejorative I apologise!) was extremely helpful and I would recommend checking out Cirrus factory as a source. In the end I was wooed by a really good deal - a 2005 aircraft for a 2004 price via a broker in Dayton - Steel Aviation - As I write this we are yet to collect but so far I can say I strongly recommend - what you see is what you get. Jaime made everything go straightforwardly and was able to help in other ways - suggesting contacts for Trust ownership, ferry etc. strong recommendation - http://www.steelaviation.com/
There were several brokers at the show so its a good way to efficiently cover all bases. Though I found that Jaime' s team were always on their stand and proactive when you wanted to talk to them others seemed disinterested. I have to exclude from that criticism Kara who owns Alaris Aviation who also specialise in Cirrus- worth a look. I think you'll find that Steel turnover more Cirrus's than any other broker and probably close up there with the factory broker in terms of assurance over the sale.
