Photograph:
First Cirrus Australis seen in Australia, N318KK (c/n 4155 – later VH-KKK), on display at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in 2015 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business and executive monoplane
Power Plant:
One 231 kw (310 hp) Continental IO-550-N six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.73 m (38 ft 6 in)
- Length: 7.92 m (26 ft)
- Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 13.46 m² (144.9 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 370 km/h (230 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 333 km/h (206 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 315 km/h (196 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 427 m/min (1,400 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,334 m (17,500 ft)
- Range at max cruising speed: 1,378 km (856 miles)
- Max range at 55% economical cruising speed of 300 km/h (186 mph): 1,850 km (1,150 miles)
- Take-off run at sea level: 472 m (1,549 ft)
- Landing roll at sea level: 714 m (2,344 ft)
- Empty weight: 1,021 kg (2,250 lb)
- Max payload: 442 kg (975 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,542 kg (3,400 lb)
History:
On 24 February 2015 Cirrus Aircraft based at Duluth, Minnesota, USA launched a variant of the SR-22 specifically tailored to Australian conditions. Called the ‘Australis’ the first example of the aircraft (N318KK) flew into Australia in mid February 2015 and was placed on display at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC. The Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Cirrus Aircraft announced at the time that the Australis was the latest example of a unique approach, the new aircraft providing Australians with an exclusive aircraft solution fine-tuned to their operating environment. The Australis had air-conditioning, UV protection windows, PLB, four person survival kit, four-in-one back up gauges, and claw tie-downs. It featured many of the features of the SR-22GTS but not all.
Further features of the aircraft included black engine baffling, a Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, flex-seating for up to five, airbag seatbelts to the front seats, high-performance brakes, tubeless tyres, a single-movement power lever, dual side yoke, etc. The avionics included synthetic vision technology, all digital audio panel, keyboard controller, dual GPS/Comm/Nav radios, engine and fuel monitoring, ADS-B transport, ELT, and Garmin GFC700 autopilot with electronic stability.
The Australis was a special edition of the Cirrus SR-22 light aircraft and was built specifically for the Australian market. Advertising stated it was “specifically engineered to give you the lifestyle you want – freedom to go where you want, when you want, without waiting or hassles – and to do it with advanced technological innovation, exhilarating performances and unprecedented style. Make your life possible. For ten years and counting, the SR22 series has been the best-selling aircraft in its class. Cirrus Aircraft are proud to introduce a special edition Australis SR-22 for the Australian aviation enthusiast”.
Power was provided by a Teledyne Continental IO-550-N six-cylinder engine driving a Hartzell three-blade constant-speed propeller. The aircraft had a custom interior and exterior design in two trim levels, the premium variant having two-tone paint exterior and a number of colour options. The seats were bolstered leather with contrast stitching and there was a Southern Cross motif on both the interior and exterior. By the conclusion of the Avalon event four airframes had been sold in Australia.
Examples of the Australis, known as the SR-22-G5, registered have included VH-FIF² (c/n 4298) to Avia Aviation of Moorabbin. VIC and VH-FTB4 (c/n 4219 – ex N7YT) to Cirrus Design of Ballina, NSW.