Cirrus SR-20

aircraft taking offaircraft in flight

The workhorse of the College of Aviation’s flight fleet is the Cirrus SR-20. With 28 of these aircraft, the WMU’s College of Aviation possesses one of the largest fleets of Cirrus in the world. The Cirrus SR-20 is a state-of-the-art, technically advanced aircraft, constructed primarily of composite materials and designed to be aerodynamically efficient. The single engine, low-wing monoplane comfortably seats four people, including a crew of one or two.

The SR-20 is FAA certified for day, night, VFR, and IFR flight. All 28 of the College of Aviation’s Cirrus are equipped with the most advanced avionics package available in general aviation: the Avidyne R9. This glass cockpit provides Western Michigan University aviation students with the most technologically available, giving them an educational and competitive advantage. Beginning in 2014, all the Avidyne systems will be upgraded again to offer synthetic vision.

  • Number in fleet28
  • Primary usePrivate, commercial and instrument instruction
  • EngineTeledyne Continental IO-360-E (200BHP at 2700RPM)
  • Fuel capacity56 gallons
  • Weight2050 pounds (standard empty), 3000 pounds (max takeoff), 950 pounds (max useful load)
  • Dimensions26 feet long, 9 feet and 2 inches high, 35 feet and 6 inches wing span, 135.2 feet2 wing area
  • Speed160 knots (max at sea level), 157 knots (cruise, 80 percent power at 8000 feet)
  • Stall speed56 knots (flaps down, power off), 65 knots (flaps up, power off)
  • Cruising range5.4 hours, 768 nautical miles (55 percent power at 10,000 feet), 4 hours, 627 nautical miles (75 percent power at 8,000 feet)
  • Max operating altitude17,500 feet
  • Takeoff distance2,064 feet (total distance over 50 feet obstacle)
  • Landing distance2,040 feet (total distance over 50 feet obstacle)