Compare
Cirrus SR20 vs Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
The two side by side, from the FAA registry, the FAA's Airworthiness Directives and Service Difficulty Reports, and the NTSB's accident database. Each has a full guide: Cirrus SR20, Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP.
Where they differ
- The Cirrus SR20 fleet is younger: half of those registered were built by 2018, against 2009 for the Cessna 172S.
- There are more Cessna 172Ss to choose from: 3,069 registered against 1,547.
- Most Cirrus SR20s have the Lycoming IO-390; most Cessna 172Ss the Lycoming IO-360.
- The Cirrus SR20 burns more fuel in a typical cruise: about 11 gallons an hour against 9.
- The Cessna 172S carries more airframe ADs with a repeat action, 5 against 3: inspections that come back for as long as the AD applies.
- Mechanics report the Cirrus SR20's dc generator-alternator most, and the Cessna 172S's reciprocating engine cylinder section.
Side by side
| Cirrus SR20 | Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered in the US | 1,547 | 3,069 |
| Built | 2000 to 2026 | 1998 to 2026 |
| Half built by | 2018 | 2009 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Most common engine | Lycoming IO-390 | Lycoming IO-360 |
| Typical cruise fuel burn | 11 gal/hr | 9 gal/hr |
| Engine overhaul intervalThe engine maker's published hours between overhauls. | Not set | 2,000 hr |
| Current airframe ADs | 11 | 39 |
| Airframe ADs with a repeat action | 3 | 5 |
| Current ADs on the main engine | 4 | 29 |
| Service Difficulty ReportsSince the year shown in each guide; per 1,000 registered today. | 64 (41.4 per 1,000) | 383 (124.8 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | DC Generator-Alternator | Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section |
| Accidents since 2008Per 1,000 registered today, not per hour flown: a training fleet flies far more than a private one. | 118 (76.3 per 1,000) | 255 (83.1 per 1,000) |
| Fatal accidents since 2008 | 35 | 32 |
| Most common accident | Loss of control in flight | Hard landing |
Report and accident counts are not rates: nobody publishes the hours each model flies, and a training fleet flies far more than a private one. Fuel burn is a typical cruise figure; the engine interval is its maker's published figure for the usual engine.
The Cirrus SR20's repeat-action ADs
- 2024-24-11Requires repetitively inspecting (visual) the upper power lever for any crack(s) and depending on the results of any visual inspection, either inspecting (fluorescent penetrant) or replacing the upper power lever
- 2008-11-18Perform an inspection and replacement as necessary of the heat exchanger
- 2006-21-03Check the maintenance records to determine whether the brake caliper piston O-ring seals were replaced at the last annual or 100-hour inspection
The Cessna 172S's repeat-action ADs
- 2013-11-11Requires replacement when the engine oil pressure switch reaches its life limit
- 2011-10-09Requires retaining all of the actions from the previous AD and adding steps to the inspection procedures in the previous AD
- 2011-06-02Requires installing a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and replacing the FADEC backup battery...
- 2001-06-17Requires a one-time inspection for proper engine idle speed and fuel control mixture setting and adjustment, as necessary
- 97-12-06Requires checking the clearance between both the gascolator and cowling area and the tailpipe and cowling area, and modifying these areas immediately if any evidence of rubbing at either location is found or...
Questions
- Which has more Airworthiness Directives, the Cirrus SR20 or the Cessna 172S?
- 11 current ADs name the Cirrus SR20 airframe and 39 the Cessna 172S; 3 and 5 of them have a repeat action.
- Which is newer, the Cirrus SR20 or the Cessna 172S?
- Half of the Cirrus SR20s registered were built by 2018, half of the Cessna 172Ss by 2009.
- How do the Cirrus SR20 and Cessna 172S accident records compare?
- 118 accidents since 2008 for the Cirrus SR20 (35 fatal) against 255 for the Cessna 172S (32 fatal), from fleets of 1,547 and 3,069. Counts, not rates per hour flown.