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3 Answers

Transition from C172 to SR22 for Instrument rating?

Asked by: 6133 views Instrument Rating, Student Pilot

I have just started my IFR training on a pair of 172s (one steam gauge, one full G1000). I have only ever flown a C172 and have around 120 hours.  I really want to own and fly a Cirrus SR20/22 in the next few years.  However, I have heard it is a much more challenging plane to fly and that you should have 300 hours before trying it.  My CFI, who I trained with for my private  license and who I have started my instrument training with, just announced he is leaving to take a full time commercial job.  I have flown with a few of the other instructors at my flight school but am not comfortable with any of them (language barrier is pretty big - theirs, not mine).  Next door to my flight school is a Cirrus flight school. Would it make sense to transition to a Cirrus now to both become more experienced in that plane and finish my instrument rating, or should I stay in a C172 for my instrument rating and transition to the Cirrus afterwards?

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3 Answers



  1. Lucas on Oct 15, 2014

    Hey Allen
    It is definitely a good idea to start training in the SR20/22 right away. It will cost you much more than continuing in the Cessna but it will be well worth it.
    The SR is a much faster bird so you will need to be much faster. Instrument training is all about staying ahead of the aircraft and being that the SR is much faster you will need to become much faster. This is why it will cost you more. But if you can afford to buy a Cirrus than you should have no problem spending a little more on your training.
    Since you will be flying yourself and maybe your family in the SR you might as well get used to it during your training.

    Lucas
    http://passfaaexams.com

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  2. Mark Kolber on Oct 15, 2014

    I agree with Lucas on the general idea that, if one has a specific aircraft in mind, especially with a plan of purchasing one, one should train in it. That goes for primary training as well as instrument training. One can’t discount the advantages of aircraft familiarity and make/model experience.

    And if the training operation has an SR20, they are not more challenging to fly than a 172. People do primary training in them all the time. The SR20 is a bit faster than a 172 but that just means you need to learn better how to stay ahead of it. And that’s a primary focus of early instrument training. IMO, the SR20 is not “more challenging” than a 172; in fact it’s easier to fly than a 172 in many ways. I doubt it would take you any longer to earn an instrument rating in an SR20 than in a 172. And if the ultimate goal is an SR22, no reason you can transition along the way.

    The balance (and there is always one) may be cost. Instrument training for the rating is less about the specific aircraft and more about learning the tasks and procedures involved in operating within a system. If the 172 is more accessible to you and substantially cheaper than the Cirrus, there’s no reason why you can’t learn first and transition later.

    All other things being relatively equal, if I were interested in flying and owning one make/model, I would try to train in it. The question is whether for you, all other things are relatively equal.

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  3. Mitchell L Williams on Oct 15, 2014

    I used to be very conservative and say, your first airplane should be a C172 or PA-28, then graduate to a C182 or bigger piper. then maybe a twin or cirrus, or a Cessna jet.

    I have since taught a few privates pilots that were students who flew up through solo in rentals and then bought a cirrus, PA-32-300RT, SuperViking, and other advanced or complex airplanes, and am convinced that you might as well go get whatever you want.

    If you can meet/afford the insurance requirements, might as well go for it!

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