Get FinancingThe Cirrus SR22: A Look At The Bestselling Piston Aircraft
For over 20 years, the Cirrus SR22 has reigned as the world’s bestselling general aviation airplane. Introduced in 2000, the single-engine SR22 is a featured player in Cirrus Aircraft’s SR Series, which also includes the SR20—Cirrus’ first certified piston aircraft—and the turbocharged SR22T, unveiled in 2010.
Known for its performance, luxury, and safety features, the SR22 appeals to new and experienced pilots, business owners, flight schools, and even celebrities. Tim McGraw, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Ken Griffey are reportedly among the aircraft’s past and present owners.
Let’s take a closer look at the award-winning SR22, a single-engine piston airplane that’s ideal for family vacations, business trips, flight training, and special missions.
Cirrus Leads The Piston Pack
Founded in 1984 by brothers Dale and Alan Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft has delivered more than 10,000 SR Series airplanes since 1999, a global fleet that has logged over 17 million flight hours. Cirrus—which also produces the Vision Jet, billed as the “world’s first single-engine personal jet”— has been the “world’s largest producer of piston-powered aircraft since 2013.”
The SR20 helped Cirrus gain early traction, and the SR22 propelled the company to new heights. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s 2024 figures, the SR22T led piston aircraft sales with 364. The SR22 was fourth with 145 sales, and the SR20 was fifth with 121 sales.
Meet The Cirrus SR22 G7+
Cirrus has consistently refined the SR Series over the years through generational, or G, upgrades. Notable updates include the SR22 G2 in 2004 and the addition of the turbocharged SR22T in 2010, which added a higher 25,000-foot (7,620-meter) altitude.
In 2024, Cirrus introduced the heavily upgraded SR Series G7. The latest evolution is the SR Series G7+, introduced in May 2025 as the first piston single equipped with Safe Return Emergency Autoland by Garmin as standard equipment. The Federal Aviation Administration-approved autonomous landing system enables any passenger to initiate an autonomous emergency landing with the push of a button.
Cirrus SR22 & SR22T Comparisons
You can find hundreds of new and used Cirrus aircraft for sale on Controller.com, including SR22s and SR22Ts in various configurations. New SR22s offer buyers a choice of Base, Carbon, and Platinum editions, while the SR22T adds an Arrivée Special Edition with tri-color exteriors and bespoke interiors.
Here’s how they compare:
SR22 | SR22T | |
|---|---|---|
Engine | 310-horsepower (231-kilowatt) Continental IO-550-N | 315 HP (235 kW) Turbocharged TSIO-550-K |
Maximum Operating Altitude | 17,500 feet (5,334 meters) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
Maximum Cruise Speed | 183 ktas | 213 ktas |
Maximum Range | 1,100 nautical miles (2,037 kilometers) | 1,046 NM (1,937 km) |
Standout Cirrus SR22 Features
From 60/40 FlexSeating to Cirrus IQ technology to Certified Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), the SR22 is packed with features. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and the advanced Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin glass cockpit are arguably the best-known. Introduced with the SR20 in 1999, CAPS is now standard equipment with all Cirrus aircraft and is credited with saving more than 270 lives.
Cirrus has continually advanced the SR22's avionics and claims that it became the first light aircraft equipped with a full glass cockpit in 2003. Later upgrades introduced the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin flight deck in 2007 and the Perspective Touch+ flight deck in 2024, featuring dual 14-inch displays, Garmin touchscreen controllers, synthetic vision technology, and more.
Find New & Used Cirrus Aircraft For Sale
Ready to purchase a Cirrus piston airplane? Explore Controller.com to find new and used Cirrus aircraft for sale, including the SR20, Vision Jet, and SR22 models like the SR22-G2, SR22-G3T, SR22-G5T, SR22-G6, SR22-G6T, and SR22-G7T.
Calculate Aircraft Costs Over Time
To determine ownership costs or to compare the SR22 to other aircraft based on actual usage data, visit AircraftCostCalculator.com. Interested in chartering a Cirrus SR22? Request a free quote at CharterHub.com.