- 60/40 FlexSeating. This is similar to a 60/40 folding bench for your car; however, the Cirrus version gives you 10 pounds more useable load, a third seal belt, and a LATCH car seat attachment (which I believe is unique in aviation).
- Perspective Global Connect. Basically this option is a satellite phone that integrates with your avionics. It has the ability to make voice calls, send and receive text messages, and retrieve world-wide weather reporting.
The reality is that the third seat belt on the FlexSeating will really only be useful to those with three children (and probably pre-teen at that). On the up side, though, having a third child will no longer require an immediate upgrade to a six-seater. Owners will be able to wait a few years and make their aircraft investment more long lived. I do applaud the addition of the LATCH restraint system and the ability to fold down seats for temporary cargo carriage instead of having to remove and then reinstall them. This will make flights with cargo on one leg and passengers on another so much simpler.
I like the ability get worldwide weather with to the Perspective Global Connect (XM is limited to the US), and adding the ability to call through the regular audio panel and text from the MFD is icing on the cake. Obviously there’s the issue that all of your passengers can hear/talk on the phone, raising some privacy issues, and only the front seat passenger or pilot will be able to text given the location of the keypad.
Finally, Cirrus has made available some new paint and interior options. You can check out all the changes here.
Overall, very nice improvements to an excellent platform - bravo Cirrus!
Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike
