I was told today that the Cirrus airframe is only good for about 4000 hours that does not seem right can some one give me a good answer?
Charles,
Actually the Cirrus SR20 has a life limit of 12,000 hours and the SR22 has a life limit of 4,300 hours. This is based on the Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A00009CH - Revision 3.
Unfortunately, many aircraft have airframe life limits, and you cannot operate the aircraft beyond those. However, many new aircraft are certified to relatively low limits initially, and these are gradually expanded as the manufacturer gains new knowledge of the strength of the airframe and collects data through in-service experience. FAR 43.16 requires compliance with maintenance manual airworthiness limitations, and this is one of them in the SR20/SR22 manual.
FYI: Some life-limits can be extended by STC or exemption, such as with the “MORE” program for PT-6 turboprop engines. But I doubt that airframe life-limits will be extended except with OEM approval.
So for now, I wouldn’t worry about this issue as they will likely extend this in the future.
Scott,
You are quite correct. There is a project underway at Cirrus that should produce an extension.
Marty,
Any timeframe on when this will be completed?
Michael
Michael,
My best guess is before the end of 2004.
In reply to:
My best guess is before the end of 2004.
As much as Michael flies, this will be cutting it close.[;)]
Yah, I may have to keep my new airplane in storage until they up the number
next year 
Michael
Apparently, Cirrus Design kept one model or airframe that they fly a lot to keep ahead of the aging fleet. Any idea how many hours that might be? Either for the fleet or that stalking horse? The most hours that I recall was 900 hours on one of the fractional planes, but I seem to recall 1,600 hours on the CD plane.
Perhaps someone visiting the factory could check this out.
Cheers
Rick
I thought that the airframe time limit was only for planes used commercially, but I don’t recall where I read that.