I am 62 with a PPL earned @61 with 200+ hrs total and 100+ as PIC. I’m considering purchasing a G3 SR20. I’ve been flying a C172 for most of my PIC hrs, and a C150 before that. At my age, am I reaching for too much plane with the SR 20? Any opinions?
You will do just fine. And you will have a big smile. I’ve owned an sr20 and five sr22 and I’m an old dude myself. so if you want any help I know the market pretty good always following what it is doing. Don
What’s your mission profile, Paul?
Paul,
No! - you will LOVE the SRxx line… which EVER plane you choose.
I am 65 - and I own N874T - a 2009 SR-20 G3 with Perspective - and LOVE IT… (I especially like the economy when the price of fuel is so high, I do wish for the higher performance of the 22 at times… however, it fits my mission)
The tick is - try to sit down and be honest with yourself - and attempt to DEFINE your mission profile… then, purchase the plane that BEST fits that profile.
There are some folks that feel that the SR-20 is more challenging at times, than a SR-22 - since the 20 does not have the power profile of a 22 -
Remember - the airframe is basically exactly the same - the 22 has more fuel capacity and, some aircraft had FIKI capability - that the 20 does not offer - otherwise - except for the engine - same-o same-o
Please feel free to call me at the number in my profile if you wish to discuss further
-J-
The most direct answer to your question: no it won’t be too much airplane for you. You’ll likely love it. Just get with a good instructor who knows the plane and its avionics, especially landings: the sight picture out the windscreen–visibility is fantastic in this plane–will be misleading for a former Cessna driver, and landing speeds are 5-10 kt faster. Learn it “right” from the beginning with a good instructor and the transition will be smooth and fairly easy.
As to whether it fits your flying from a utility point of view, Sanjay’s is the key question, of course. Meaning: range, payload (people and stuff), field length/elevations/temperatures (i.e., density altitude)/obstacles, mountains or desert or flatland? What’s the flight you do 50-60% of the time? What’s the flight you do the next 25-35% of the time? And finally, what’s that rare-ish 15%-er? If you can articulate these things here, lots of COPA folks can offer good suggestions from their experience.
Budget is important too. My advice: buy the most airplane you can afford to fly as much as you want to fly. There’s no sense owning what you think is your “dream” aircraft if you cannot afford to fly it! As you no doubt are aware, in personal aviation, purchase price is just the beginning.
Is there a good Cirrus-savvy maintenance facility on your field or relatively (<1 hr flight) nearby? Access to convenient and trustworthy maintenance will make a big difference in the quality of your flying life, something that new or first-time owners–Cirrus or any other type–don’t think too much about before taking the plunge.
If at the end of the day a Cirrus 20 or 22 is a good match for your flying profile and wants, you’ll not regret getting one, they’re terrific planes.
Paul,
Why not find an instructor with an SR20/SR22 and fly with him/her for some time to get an idea if this might be the right plane for you?
Joe
It’s doable. You have a desire so you’re halfway there. Enjoy the journey
No. I’m 58 and gave been flying for only 11 years. I agree you should fly/do training in a 20 and 22 before buying. Both are great, but a 22 is an awesome traveling machine.
Paul – +1 to what everyone has told you. I got into a 22NA at 66 years young after years of not being current. With a Cirrus instructor it was a blast and no problems other than learning curve for the “buttonology” for the Perspective system. Listen to these folks, lots of instructors have and will respond to your post. Have fun on your Cirrus journey and fly safe.
Go for a g1 SR22 instead. Incredible value. The excess power of a 22 vs a 20 is impressive.
Reaching for too much? Maybe not far enough! [;)]
Paul, my story was a new PPL at 54 and bought my Cirrus SR22 with 65 hours total time in 2001. My executive position then got eliminated so I bridged to retirement and changed my lifestyle with the freedom to fly about the country. The SR22 matched my high-tech expectations and provided an excellent traveling machine.
If you are active at your age and interested in learning, you’ll do fine. Key piece of advice: work with great, not just good, instructors and learn from them to know what you don’t know. Aviation is a life-long learning opportunity.
Cheers
Rick
Paul you have to say what you plan to do with the airplane. It’s a dilemma for many PPL holders: now what? If you enjoy just getting up low and slow and flying the pattern a 172 is hard to beat. If you want to go places a mission starts to appear, and going places is a great reason to be a pilot. I dare say an SR20 will fly well anywhere a C150 will, so your location must not be too demanding (density altitude, terrain). But consider that a G3 SR20 will likely be priced around a lot of viable SR22s, and they can throttle back to fly the SR20 mission and much more, too. The point is that you should fly both before you choose. You’ll be impressed with both and you’ll make a better choice.
Bill – Thanks for the encouragement. Looking to rent first before making the jump. Closest Cirrus rental is two hour drive. Still looking.
Paul
Sanjay,
First and foremost, my wife and I doing retirement pleasure flying. Secondly, to offer services for charity. That’s it.
Paul
Rick,
Thanks for the advice. I plan on taking a solid week or two camping out at DeKalb using the Cirrus guys there when I get to the wire on a plane.
Paul
Don – Thanks so much for the encouragement. I’ll keep you posted.
~P
In which case, as KevinM said, you’ll do just fine with an SR-20. It’s not “too much plane” (I kinda don’t believe there are very many planes of that sort) for you. Contentment is well within reach!