Aircraft overview

The Cirrus SR20 is a fixed gear, composite, single engine piston aircraft built by Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth, Minnesota. The prototype first flew in 1995, and production began in 1999, with the model remaining in production through successive generations. It is positioned as a personal, training and light touring aircraft, below the more powerful SR22 in the Cirrus line. Its importance comes from bringing a modern composite airframe, side yoke controls, large multifunction displays and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, known as CAPS, into a widely produced four seat aircraft.

Performance & specifications

Typical SR20 cruise performance is about 150 to 155 knots, depending on generation, engine, propeller, loading and altitude. Published range is commonly in the region of 600 to 700 nautical miles with reserves, again depending on configuration and power setting. Useful load varies meaningfully by equipment fit, but many examples fall roughly around 900 to 1,050 pounds. The service ceiling is 17,500 feet. Early and mid production aircraft use a 200 hp Continental IO-360 engine, while later SR20 G6 aircraft introduced a 215 hp Lycoming IO-390. The aircraft has fixed tricycle landing gear and is certified for day, night, IFR and personal transportation use when properly equipped and maintained.

Cabin & avionics

The SR20 cabin is known for wide doors, a relatively broad cabin for its class and a car like seating position. Most aircraft are configured for four occupants, with later interiors offering updated seating and cabin materials. Avionics vary strongly by year. Early aircraft may have conventional instruments with Garmin navigators, while many 2000s examples use the Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit. From the late 2000s, Garmin Perspective, based on G1000 architecture and customized for Cirrus, became a key fit. Newer G6 aircraft use Garmin Perspective+ with faster processing and updated interfaces. Buyers should compare autopilot type, WAAS capability, ADS-B compliance and engine monitoring equipment.

Buying & value

Used Cirrus SR20 pricing is driven by generation, avionics, engine time, CAPS repack status, damage history and maintenance records. Common distinctions include early G1 and G2 aircraft, G3 models with airframe refinements, and later G5 and G6 aircraft with improved interiors and avionics. Desirable upgrades can include WAAS, modern transponders, updated engine monitors, newer paint and interior, and completed parachute and rocket service items. In current PlaneFox used listings, asking prices average about EUR 311,000, with a range from approximately EUR 120,000 to EUR 628,000. The SR20 generally sits as a lower cost Cirrus entry point than the SR22, while offering the same basic cabin concept and CAPS safety architecture.