Another Cirrus DOWN.

[Palmtree Pilot]

I think it is this board that you guys are always talking about Cirrus crashes. One ran off the left side of 23R in TYS this afternoon as I was on 5 mi. final for the left. Winds were 310-320 @ 18. Looked as though the nose gear collapsed after it went into the grass. Everyone OK!

PtP

 

[User546]

Let all the Cirrus Hater's begin the bashing!

Good to hear though no one was hurt for a change!

 

[qmaster3]

User I will start,

That frikken "safe handle" made me so complacent. Not feeling the need to do a standard cross wind TO/Landing, I just hit the throttle and let go of the controls. Thinking the Cirrus would just FLY.

It's the entire planes/MFG fault for making me feel like pilot god. STOP PRODUCTION NOW, AND GIVE ME A BEER.

 

[The_Russian]

Like that guy at FXE that got vertigo and pulled the chute at 130 knots. The new doctor killer. It is really sad. For a competent pilot, it is still a very nice plane.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Exactly Russian! The winds palmtree mentions would slightly exceed the maximum 'demonstrated' crosswind. Not a huge deal but with an experienced pilot......

Mr. I.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

50% of the Cirrus pilots I talk to have to make a 360 on downwind to loose speen and altitude, its a fixed gear single guys and gals, get ahead of the plane.

Today one called up and told him to report 5 mile final, a cessna is on a 2 mile final when he calls, should work right???? Nope, I didn't realize the cirrus had to fly a 170kt gs approach, He went around, got pissy at me, i gave him the usuall speech when the get snippy with me....

"CirrusXXX, depart the airspace to the west, call me back when you have control of the airplane."
Then when the come in its amazing how they can actually slow it to a normal 100 kt downwind and 70kt final.......... ohwell, comes with the job

 

[FN FAL]

50% of the Cirrus pilots I talk to have to make a 360 on downwind to loose speen and altitude, its a fixed gear single guys and gals, get ahead of the plane.

That's why I'm doomed to be stuck as a C-208 Captain...I don't have much SPEEN left to loose. I'm such a looser...

 

[Flyeys]

Like that guy at FXE that got vertigo and pulled the chute at 130 knots. The new doctor killer. It is really sad. For a competent pilot, it is still a very nice plane.

Is there a maximum speed for deploying the chute? would it be called Vdc ? But seriously, I thought it was there to help regain control of the aircraft after all else has failed, therefore you could deploy it during any phase of flight. always been curious about the chutes.

 

[WizardPilot]

From what I know the chute is there if your engine dies out and you dont reallywant to do much else. Its like a parachute for the plane, nice 25-30 kt lanindg. It could save some lives, unless its pulled at 130kts....oops

 

[sandslob]

According to the Cirrus website they've tested the chute at 135 kts.

http://www.cirrusdesign.com/aircraft/safety/CAPS/

 

[minitour]

Is there a maximum speed for deploying the chute? would it be called Vdc ?

no no no

Vyf - The speed above which, you're f****d

Glad to hear no one's hurt this time.

-mini

 

[mainah]

Is there a maximum speed for deploying the chute? would it be called Vdc ? But seriously, I thought it was there to help regain control of the aircraft after all else has failed, therefore you could deploy it during any phase of flight. always been curious about the chutes.

Actually it's called Vpd. Parachute deployment and it is 133 KIAS max demonstarted.

 

[StrykerFL]

Cirrus Info

Vpd, or parachute deployment speed in the SR-22 is 133KIAS. They (CIRRUS) do however state that every attempt should be made to slow the aircraft below 133KTS prior to CAPS deployment. Cirrus also states that



"The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) is designed to lower the aircraft and its passengers to the ground in the event of a Life Threatening Emergency.

The system is intended to save the lives of the occupants but will most likely destroy the aircraft and may, in adverse circumstances, cause serious injury or death to the occupants.”



Also there are a number of different hazards associated with the CAPS deployment:

1. Ignition of pyrotechnic device - ROCKET

2. Lateral speed over the ground dependent on wind speed

3. If the wind is 30 kts then you will be moving 30 kts when you touch down.

4. Aircraft may be dragged on the ground by wind gusts

5. No directional control - You will probably NOT touch down with the nose pointing in direction of travel

6. No choice of landing site

7. No release after deployment – There is no way to cut away the chute after it is deployed

8. Vertical speed equivalent to a static drop from 13 ft.

9. Nose gear may collapse

10. No guarantee of a safe outcome



As for slowing the airplane down, it’s no sweat. Just bring the power back to idle and the prop moves to an almost flat pitch helping the airplane to slow very quickly. It is a common misconception that since it is so slick and clean that it takes a while to slow it down. That is simply not the case. It is a bit of poor planning on the part of the pilot flying the SR-22 that causes them to require a 360 in the downwind to slow down. I’ve had it doing 220KTS over the ground and have never had a problem getting it slowed to pattern speed and to the initial flap speed of 119KIAS.



Most of the customers that I train in the aircraft also have less than 300 hrs TT and some don’t even have an instrument rating. Most insurance companies require at least a PVT/INST rating with at least 100 hrs TT and 30+ hrs in the Cirrus with an authorized CSI instructor. As a matter of fact Cirrus will not let a customer leave the factory in Duluth without completing a Cirrus transition course. It consists of 7 lessons total and upon completion the pilot is given a VFR qualified only certificate. He/she is required to complete a BFR and IPC to have IFR privileges. This is not mandated by the FAA obviously, however most insurance companies will not insure the pilot/owner unless they can provide documentation of successful completion of both requirements.



It truly is an amazing airplane. I never could see spending almost 500k on a single-engine piston airplane until I started flying it. It blew me away. Especially since most of the aircraft that I flew during my training were barely airworthy and almost as expensive to rent. It is great to fly something with nice leather interior and you don’t end up smelling hot garbage when you get out. The old rickety king stack with the barley readable radio frequencies and antiquated ADF receiver has been replaced with twin GNS430’s, and there is a very capable autopilot that actually works. And oh yeah, 310hp and 180KTAS isn’t too bad either.



If you ever get a chance to fly one, take it from me. Jump on it they’re kick A$$.

 

[Bryan D]

If this keeps up I'll have to throw a "Cirrus down" party. It works just like a "Hi Bob" party (remember the Bob Newhart show), everytime someone says "Cirrus down" we chug-a-lug a beer.