The natural evolution of airplanes is to increase the power, and that is just what Cirrus Design has done with its new SR22. Where the original production Cirrus, the SR20, flies with a 200-horsepower IO-360 six-cylinder Continental, the SR22 has an IO-550 Continental six that develops 310 horsepower. That is a big increase.
Even though the two airplanes look alike, they are actually quite different. The 22 wing has more span, which, with its higher maximum takeoff weight, requires a larger and stronger wing spar. More horsepower meant more fuel and that, too, required an internal change in the wing. The longer wing and the increased weight (the SR22 maximum takeoff weight is 500 pounds greater, at 3,400 pounds) are said to enhance the landing qualities of the airplane, but after flying both, all I can say is that both are nice airplanes to land.
