Cirrus SR22 SFAR
 

Recently got into a discussion about the Cirrus SR22 training programs. Does the SR22 legally require (not recommended) additional training (outside of a high-performance endorsement) to act as PIC (like the MU-2 has with SFAR 108). I dug pretty deep but couldn't find anything of the sort but was assured (by a Cirrus instructor) that the SR22 indeed, legally, requires ancillary factory training before a person is able to act as PIC. No dog in the fight as I am not and probably never will be a Cirrus owner (sigh...), but am curious if anyone else has ever heard of this or know where a reference is located.

No special training is required.

Hope not! Or I'm in trouble...

14 CFR Part 61 includes two SFAR's: one for the R22/R44 helicopters, and one that provides relief for US service personnel when assigned outside the US (with regard to knowledge tests, etc). Those are SFARs 73, and 100-2, respectively.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...61_main_02.tpl

Did you ask this instructor for a reference?

You can visit the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) and find no reference whatsoever to FAA-required training for the Cirrus because there is none. Insurance may mandate a minimum requirement for a particular company or rental facility, but that is not a FAA requirement.

Remember the slogan of Cirrus and COPA: "Pull, and Pull Often!"

Given the way many weekend warriors treat the CAPS parachute system like reserve airport, and given that the aircraft flight manual specifically advises that firing the parachute will destroy the airframe and may result in severe injury or death, and given that both Cirrus and COPA advise to pull, and pull often, the only real conclusion to draw is that the catch phrase isn't quite complete. Pull, and pull often: we'll make more.

Cirrus descends gently to earth under a good canopy, while on fire, following a mid-air collision...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf8DYXUOai8

People in Cessna descend gently to earth under good canopies after airplane breaks up in mid-air collision:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNcLjO_-Pmc

The saying is actually “Pull Early, Pull Often”.

Many people on COPA a strange mix of overconfident in yet terrified of their airplanes; in particular a fear of stalls, spins, and slow flight.

Very easy airplanes to fly but still a high-performance single with a comparatively unforgiving airfoil.

I was deeply impressed with the COPA instructor a few years ago who posted on AOPA, I believe it was, with his account of his inflight "emergency." He described skirting thunderstorms IMC in his Cirrus, when the "emergency" occurred. The airplane began climbing and he realized that the autopilot wouldn't hold altitude. He described the instruments as simultaneously failing, but it didn't take much understanding of his statement to see that he simply couldn't maintain control without the autopilot. He reported that he shoved the nose over and dove to get below the bottom the overcast, which took him well below MEA, while "screaming and praying for God to save me."

Somewhere in there he deployed the CAPS parachute, which promptly failed. The rocket tossed the canister, from which the parachute did not deploy. Once VMC and beneath the overcast, he proceeded visually to an airfield and landed.

He apparently was at 7,500', but initiated a 2,800 fpm dive down to 800' where he broke out, all the while screaming and praying.

So, no regulation, but do that. Scream and pray. It's the Cirrus way. Remember, pull, and pull often. Do it early. Get it out of the way right off the bat. In fact, don't wait for an emergency. Create one if you have to, but pull early, pull as often as you can. Buy more. They'll make as many as you want and remember, every deployment, no matter how unnecessary, is a "save."

http://www.aero-news.net/images/cont...lure-0513a.jpg

This was a “COPA Instructor”? Good God, what are the regular pilots like?

Like to old ejection seat saw, “pull the handle when you’re more scared of the plane than you are of the seat”.

GF

As I recall, he's a "COPA Instructor," but only holds a private pilot certificate (apparently with an instrument rating, the standard for which clearly does not include the brain with which God graced his anatomy at the outset).

That's what I thought, but figured what could go wrong with asking the internet... I asked, but did not receive a reference. That immediately makes me an extreme skeptic which is why I went digging. Since I have yet to do more than shamelessly check out a Cirrus sitting on the ramp (*shame*), I don't think it'll be much of an issue but you never know, always good to be prepared to win the lottery.
: Looks like a case of premature eCAPSulation (*queue eye rolls and groans from the unappreciative audience*)

It happens, with age.

It's worth noting that the failed CAPS canister was a re-pack, not a factory original issue. I think they sit on something like a 12 year repack cycle.

No idea why it failed, but from the appearance, it looks like a packing pin may have been left in place; total pack closure.