Cirrus Perspective Operating Tips

By Hugh Gommel

Cirrus is delivering mostly Perspective avionics suites these days.  That’s no surprise considering its powerful capabilities and SVT feature.  The following are a few comments after 60 hours flying the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin.

First, I found the www.cirrusperspective.com website a good place to begin learning the system’s operation.  After a thorough review of that information, I “flew” a simulated flight working through all the normal actions required to get the ATIS, set the altimeter, load the flight plan, change the frequencies, and run through all the required checklists to get airborne, then cruise, descend, land, and shut down.

Operating the system primarily using the GCU, I reviewed the MFD pages and checklists using the “ENT” button on the GCU.  I think of the single top center knob on the GCU as the two knobs on my Garmin 430.  Pushing the ”COM” button on the GCU makes it the 430’s left knob, and pressing the “FMS” button makes it the right knob.  The key pad makes data entry easy.  I run the GCU in “FMS” mode, easily returning there with a second push of the “COM” button after using the “COM” mode.

I force myself to always use the “EXIT” soft key on the MFD when leaving a checklist page.  Thus when returning to the checklist, the correct page is displayed. 

To help me remember where the com volume knob is located, I enter the ATIS frequency with the volume up prior to shutdown.  Then on the next start up, I lower the volume with the knob at the top right of the PFD.

If you like traffic information displayed on your MFD (in addition to the “INSET” display on your PFD), run your MFD in “TRACK UP”.

I try to push the blue “LVL” button at an appropriate moment each time I fly to recall its location, and train myself to “recover” from an unusual attitude or momentary disorientation.

I always load an approach, and use the “TMR/REF” soft key on the PFD to enter the approach minimums.  I also use the “VNV” mode for all descents from cruise altitude, setting the new desired target altitude within one minute prior to the top of descent (TOD) point.

Lastly, I thought my way through an easy way to understand the Perspective electrical system which incorporates a 70 amp number two alternator (ALT 2).

·         ALT 1 and BATT 1 power all the buses

·         ALT 2 powers main distribution bus 2, and the essential bus

·         BATT 2 powers only the essential bus

·         You lose nothing when you lose ALT 1

·         If you then lose BATT 1, you only lose the yaw damper, the landing light, and the environmental control system (ECS)

This electrical system seems more robust, and more capable of handling electrical system abnormalities. 

Perhaps the above comments will smooth your transition to operating the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin.

Hugh Gommel

Sim Director and Cirrus Perspective Owner

www.theflightacademy.com