What’s not to like? We dropped the thing into a 2,450- by 20-foot strip (watch the streaming video) after a short jaunt at 170 knots with four full seats and 70 gallons of fuel. Then, still rolling, we tested the 310-hp Continental and climbed out at 1,000 feet per minute somewhere near 100 knots while spotting — over the cowl — traffic at our one o’clock and low. Great fun … and we didn’t have to pay for it. Paying customers, of course, get to keep the airplane. Our brief tour impressed us with excellent visibility, dreamy avionics, ultra-comfortable seating, and ergonomics that could make your ground-bound friends think they’re in a fine touring sedan. What else should you expect for $389,000? The ability to fly steep turns on the edge of stall all day long, courtesy of large outboard wing cuffs, but then you get all that in the $189,000, 200-hp, VFR, Cirrus SRV, too — just don’t expect the same cruise performance. The side stick feels different in many ways, perhaps in part due to a rather unique trim system, and may take some getting used to. It didn’t bother us, it was just different and this time, different was good.
We Flew The Glass-Paneled SR22
Key Takeaways:
- The aircraft performed impressively, achieving a 1,000 feet per minute climb rate at near 100 knots with a full load.
- The aircraft offers excellent visibility, advanced avionics, comfortable seating, and ergonomic design.
- The aircraft's high-performance capabilities, including steep turns near stall, are highlighted, although similar features exist in less expensive models.
- The side-stick controller and unique trim system may require adjustment for pilots accustomed to other systems.
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