Cirrus SR22 Cost of Ownership: Premium Performance and the CAPS Safety System

The Cirrus SR22 represents the pinnacle of single-engine general aviation, combining high performance with the unique safety advantage of CAPS—a whole-aircraft parachute system. But ownership comes at a premium price. Here's the complete financial picture of what SR22 ownership really costs.

Purchase Cost: Understanding SR22 Pricing

The Cirrus SR22 has been in continuous production since 2003, with multiple generations improving performance and capability. Used examples span a wide range of prices based on model year, avionics configuration, and overall condition.

Current Market Prices (2024-2025):
Used Cirrus SR22s range from $200,000 for older high-time examples to $500,000+ for recent low-time aircraft with modern avionics. The typical market breaks down by generation:

• G1/G2 Models (2003-2012): $250,000-$330,000 for good condition examples
• G3 Models (2007-2012): $300,000-$400,000 with upgraded fuel capacity and systems
• G5 Models (2013+): $350,000-$475,000 with increased gross weight and modern avionics
• G6 Models (2017+): $400,000-$550,000 for newest generation with latest systems

Value Retention: Remarkably, a Cirrus SR22 purchased in 2010 for approximately $330,000 has maintained value comparable to 2022 pricing, demonstrating exceptional value retention despite 12+ years of ownership. This is unusual in general aviation and reflects strong market demand for this aircraft.

Fuel Consumption and Operating Costs

The Continental IO-550-N engine in the SR22 is known for excellent reliability but fuel efficiency depends heavily on how the pilot operates it.

Fuel Burn Rates:
At 75% cruise power (standard specification), the SR22 burns 16.4 gallons per hour. However, many pilots operate using lean-of-peak (LOP) techniques, which reduce consumption to 12.5-15 GPH. Full power climb operations consume 18-20 GPH. Average cruise consumption is typically 14-16 GPH depending on altitude and leaning technique.

Fuel Cost Per Hour (at various Avgas prices):

• At $5.50/gallon: $77-$88/hour (14-16 GPH)
• At $6.00/gallon: $84-$96/hour (14-16 GPH)
• At $7.00/gallon: $98-$112/hour (14-16 GPH)
• At $8.00/gallon: $112-$128/hour (14-16 GPH)

Fuel typically represents 50-60% of the SR22's hourly variable operating costs, making fuel management critical for economical operation.

Engine Overhaul: Planning for Major Expense

The Continental IO-550-N engine is renowned for reliability, but overhaul timing and costs require careful planning.

Overhaul Specifications:
TBO (Time Between Overhaul) is 2,000 hours. At typical recreational flying rates (100-200 hours annually), this represents 10-20 years before overhaul becomes mandatory. Complete engine overhaul costs $40,000-$50,000 at most experienced shops.

Pre-TBO Cylinder Replacement (Critical for IO-550-N):
The Continental IO-550 is notorious for cylinder failure before reaching full TBO. Most owners experience 3-4 cylinder replacements before TBO, each costing $2,837 for a new cylinder (parts, labor, shipping, tax). Budget approximately $8,400-$11,000 for pre-TBO cylinder work.

Engine Reserve Per Hour: Budget $15-$25 per flight hour for engine reserves. This accounts for eventual overhaul ($40,000-$50,000 ÷ 2,000 hours = $20-$25/hour), plus pre-TBO cylinder replacements ($11,000 ÷ 2,000 hours = $5.50/hour).

CAPS Parachute System: Unique Safety Feature and Cost

The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) is the SR22's most distinctive feature—a whole-aircraft emergency parachute that has saved hundreds of lives. This system introduces unique ownership costs.

CAPS Repack Requirements and Costs:
The CAPS parachute must be repacked every 10 years, regardless of deployment. Current repack costs range from $18,000 to $35,000, with recent quotes in the $24,000-$35,000 range. Costs have increased approximately 100% over the past 10 years due to labor intensiveness and regulatory requirements.

Repack Complexity by Generation:

• SR22 G1/G2 (2003-2012): Higher cost repack ($24,000-$35,000) due to required composite fuselage work. The repack requires accessing the parachute through the fuselage, necessitating composite repair and finishing work. Minimum 5 days downtime.
• SR22 G3 and Later (2013+): Lower cost repack ($18,000-$28,000) due to engineering improvements. A redesigned access panel in the luggage compartment simplifies installation, reducing labor time and enabling faster turnaround.

CAPS Deployment and Repack After Deployment:
If CAPS is deployed in an emergency situation, the aircraft requires professional inspection and the parachute must be completely repacked. Total cost for post-deployment restoration is $10,000+ minimum, plus unknown structural repair costs if the parachute deployment caused secondary damage.

Special Requirements:
CAPS repacking is strictly controlled. Not all Cirrus service centers can perform this work—only facilities with special Cirrus training and federal (ATF) permits are authorized. Facilities must maintain proper storage for rocket propellant components and undergo regular federal inspection. This specialized nature limits competitive pricing.

Insurance Benefit: The CAPS system provides modest insurance rate reductions (typically 5-10% discount), but the primary value is dramatically improved survivability in scenarios that would be catastrophic in conventional aircraft. CAPS has deployed successfully hundreds of times with minimal loss of life.

Insurance: Premium Rates for Premium Aircraft

Insurance for the Cirrus SR22 reflects its high performance and value, plus pilot qualification requirements.

Annual Insurance Premiums:
For a $280,000-valued Cirrus SR22, typical annual insurance costs:

• Well-Qualified Pilots (500+ hours total, 100+ SR22 time, IFR rating): $3,500-$5,000/year (~1.0-1.3% of hull value)
• Experienced Pilots with Instrument Rating: $4,000-$5,500/year (~1.4-1.9% of hull value)
• Non-IFR or Limited Experience: $5,500+/year (2.0%+ of hull value)

Insurance requirements typically include: Private Pilot license minimum (some carriers require Commercial), Instrument rating highly preferred, minimum 500 total flight hours, minimum 100 hours in make/model, and completion of Cirrus transition training. Some policies require 25-50 hours of type-specific training before coverage becomes effective.

Maintenance and Annual Inspection

The SR22's composite construction and complex avionics require specialized maintenance.

Annual Inspection Costs:
Authorized Cirrus service centers charge a flat-fee annual inspection of $2,475. However, the actual bill typically runs $2,000-$5,000 when minor repairs and maintenance items are included. This doesn't include corrective work or parts replacement.

Total Annual Fixed Maintenance Costs:
A comprehensive annual maintenance estimate including inspection, routine maintenance, avionics support, and miscellaneous upkeep totals approximately $14,225 per year. This assumes no major repairs or parts replacement.

Avionics Maintenance: Most SR22s feature sophisticated Garmin systems (Perspective, GFC 500 autopilot, etc.) that require specialized knowledge. Support contracts or regular maintenance agreements with authorized shops are highly recommended at $600-$1,000 per year.

Storage and Facility Costs

The SR22's size and value necessitate secure storage, with significant cost variation by location.

Hangar Costs:

• Urban/Coastal Airports: $500-$1,500/month ($6,000-$18,000/year)
• Rural Airports: $250-$500/month ($3,000-$6,000/year)
• Typical Average: $400/month ($4,800/year)

Most SR22 owners prefer hangar storage due to aircraft value and the composite construction's potential vulnerability to UV exposure over extended periods.

Total Cost of Ownership: Cirrus SR22

Annual Scenario: 150 Hours Flying/Year

Including CAPS Repack (10-year average, amortized):
The $25,000 CAPS repack every 10 years = $2,500/year amortized. Adding this brings total to $31,150/year or $207.67/hour at 150 annual hours.

Financing a Cirrus SR22

The higher purchase price ($350,000 typical) makes financing considerations critical.

Financing Example:
A $350,000 Cirrus SR22 with 25% down payment ($87,500) financed at 6.5% over 15 years results in monthly payments of approximately $2,100 ($25,200 annually). Adding this to the $28,650 operating costs results in total annual costs of $53,850, or approximately $359/hour at 150 annual hours.

The monthly financing payment represents a significant commitment, making down payment size critically important to affordability.

Avionics Upgrade Costs: A Significant Factor

Many SR22 owners upgrade avionics during ownership, which can be expensive:

• Garmin G500 TXi Displays (2 units): ~$32,000 for displays only
• GTN 650Xi Navigators (2 units): ~$20,000
• GFC 500 Autopilot: $7,000
• Complete Modern Panel Retrofit: $65,000+ equipment plus $10,000-$15,000 labor

These upgrades can substantially increase ownership costs if undertaken. For this reason, many buyers prioritize purchasing aircraft that already have modern avionics to avoid major retrofit expenses.

Why Own a Cirrus SR22?

Despite premium costs, SR22 ownership offers compelling advantages:

• Safety Innovation: CAPS parachute system provides unmatched safety margin in emergency situations
• Performance: 180+ knot cruise speed with excellent climb and altitude capability
• Modern Systems: Standard factory avionics from Garmin (Perspective, GFC 500 autopilot) mean cutting-edge technology
• Value Retention: Exceptional depreciation resistance compared to most aircraft
• Comfort: Spacious five-seat cabin with excellent visibility and modern interior
• Composite Construction: Lighter weight enables better performance and fuel efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Citations

Note on Pricing and Data: This article reflects market conditions and pricing as of October 2025. Aircraft values, fuel prices, insurance rates, and maintenance costs fluctuate based on market conditions and regulatory changes. CAPS repack costs have increased approximately 100% over 10 years and continue rising. All figures represent typical cases and should be verified with current quotes from aircraft brokers, insurance agents, and service facilities before making purchase decisions.