Cirrus SR22 / SR22T vs Van's RV-10
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
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iCirrus SR22 / SR22T
The Cirrus SR22 is the best-selling GA aircraft in the world — a distinction it has held for over 20 consecutive years. Introduced in 2001 as a more powerful version of the SR20, the SR22 pairs a Continental IO-550-N (310HP) with the composite airframe, CAPS parachute, and Garmin glass cockpit to create the definitive modern piston single.
- +World's best-selling GA aircraft with 8,000+ built and proven track record
- +CAPS parachute safety system (250+ lives saved); deployment available through most flight regimes
- +Exceptional speed and range for piston single (SR22T: 213 KTAS, 1,046 nm)
- !CAPS repack mandatory every 10 years at $18,000–$20,000; budget $2,000/year reserves
- !Composite airframe requires certified technicians; impact damage expensive ($5,000–$15,000+ per incident)
- !Turbo models demand careful temperature management; expensive engine overhauls ($42,000–$48,000)
Van's RV-10
The Van's RV-10 is the only four-seat aircraft in the RV line and one of the most successful four-seat homebuilt designs ever produced. First flown in 2003, over 1,010 RV-10s have been completed — an extraordinary number for a four-seat experimental. The RV-10 brought Van's trademark performance and efficiency to the four-seat cross-country mission.
- +171 KTAS cross-country performance with four seats and 1,070 lbs useful load
- +Operating cost ($90–$140/hr) significantly lower than certified Bonanza/Saratoga
- +Excellent parts availability and mechanic familiarity (1,000+ flying)
- !2,000–3,000 hour build time creates builder fatigue and quality-control risk
- !IO-540 overhaul at $35,000 is a major cost; plan $17.50/hr reserve
- !Experimental category limits to private operations only (no commercial use)
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