Meet the Cirrus Desktop Console

by Keaton

Cirrus Flight Training, Simplified: The Cirrus Desktop Console with Perspective+

For Cirrus pilots, flow familiarity is everything. From engine start to shutdown, the ability to move through procedures confidently, manage avionics quickly, and stay ahead of the airplane separates a proficient pilot from one who’s just flying the numbers.

The Cirrus Desktop Console was our first step into the Cirrus Training world and it still stands the the test of time. Designed to help you build Cirrus-specific muscle memory without needing to leave the house or sit in the actual aircraft. Whether you're a new Cirrus owner, a student working toward a checkout, or an instructor looking for a reliable training tool, this system delivers a clean, realistic, and easy-to-use platform that elevates your training.

Built for Real-World Flow

At the heart of the Cirrus Desktop Console is authenticity—from the moment you sit down, you’re immersed in the real G6 avionics workflow.

The system includes a fully functional GCU keypad modeled after the Garmin Perspective+ found in G6 SR20, SR22, & SR22T aircraft. Every button is tactile, responsive, and laid out exactly as it is in the real plane, allowing you to build the muscle memory you’ll rely on during real-world flights.

When paired with RealSimGear’s proprietary Perspective+ software, the avionics behavior mirrors what you see in the actual aircraft. That includes:

  • Functional autopilot integration: RNAV capable with all modes correctly implemented, including VNAV descents
  • User-Defined Holds: Modeled fly-by waypoints
  • Detailed Weight and Balance: Comprehensive fuel pages and specific engine pages
  • Synthetic vision, engine monitoring, and proper CAS messages

This isn’t just a display screen with fancy graphics. It’s a fully modeled training environment that lets you rehearse real Cirrus procedures until they become second nature.

Real Training Value, Real Convenience

One of the standout features of the Cirrus Desktop Console is its plug-and-play simplicity. You don’t need to mount it into a panel or build a custom enclosure. Place it on your desk, plug it into your PC and you’re ready to go.

This flexibility makes it perfect for:

  • Cirrus Owners looking to stay sharp between flights
  • Students training for a transition course or checkride
  • Flight Schools and CFIs wanting a low-footprint, high-value training aid
  • Part 61 Programs looking for more engaging ground training sessions

Since the system runs on widely available simulator platforms (X-Plane 12 or MSFS), you’re not tied to one piece of software.

High Fidelity, Smaller Investment

One of the most compelling aspects of the Cirrus Desktop Console is the value. You’re getting a high-fidelity avionics trainer—complete with a physical GCU, functional touch displays, and custom Perspective+ software—for a fraction of what a full simulator costs.

This makes it the perfect entry point for:

  • Pilots wanting a compact, yet highly functional training tool for home
  • Training centers wanting multiple stations for ground-based flow training
  • CSIPs and CFIs needing portable tools for in-home or office-based instruction

You get nearly all the same avionics capabilities and flow practice found in our full G6/G7 systems, but without the space, shipping, or installation requirements. It’s budget-friendly without cutting corners on realism.

What’s Included

Every Cirrus Desktop Console comes with everything you need to start training on day one:

  • Choice of G1000 PFD/MFD Displays or Avidyne Entegra
  • Cirrus Switch Panel
  • Cirrus Multi Panel (Mags, boost pump, fuel tank select, flaps)
  • Console enclosure with internal USB hub and display adapter
  • Choice of GCU/GPS Stack
  • Perspective (with GCU47X, GFC700 autopilot and GMA350 audio panel) or
  • Perspective+ (with GCU479. GFC500 autopilot and GMA350 audio panel)
  • Entegra Options (Dual GNS430, Dual GTN650 or GTN750+GTN650)
  • All cables and power supply 
  • Optional Add on for Perspective+ Software

Many users pair the Desktop Console with a Cirrus-style throttle quadrant and Cirrus specific side stick to more closely match engine and prop controls found in SR series aircraft.

Designed for Daily Use

You don’t need a dedicated simulator room to use the Cirrus Desktop Console. It’s compact enough to fit on any desk or table, and durable enough to be set up and broken down daily. That means you can:

  • Run through a quick startup flow during your lunch break
  • Practice instrument approaches in the evening
  • Pre-fly a cross-country route with weather and terrain visualization
  • Share the system with students or other pilots in your club or school

And because it’s built by RealSimGear, you can count on world-class support, updates, and compatibility going forward. Our team of real pilots are here to help you get the most out of your training.

Try It at Flight Sim Expo

We’ll be showcasing the Cirrus Desktop Console live at FS Expo. Stop by our booth to:

  • See the full Perspective+ suite in action
  • Talk with our team about how to integrate it into your training setup
  • Take advantage of exclusive show discounts on hardware and software packages

It’s one thing to read about it—but once you’ve flown a few approaches, you’ll understand why this system is changing the way Cirrus pilots train.

Looking for a Full system? Step Into a Full G6 or G7 Home System

The Cirrus Desktop Console is more than a standalone trainer—it’s your entry point into RealSimGear’s full G6 and G7 Home Series simulator platforms.

When you're ready to take the next step, the console is upgradeable into our SRx Home (G6-style) or SR7x Home (G7-style) turnkey simulators. These systems add:

  • Full Integrated cockpit. G6 or G7 specific. 
  • Flight Sim Spec PC
  • A wrap-around visual system for realistic VFR and pattern work
  • Integrated Cirrus flight controls (yoke or sidestick, throttle, rudder)
  • Cockpit seating, platform, and instructor station
  • FAA-approved configurations available for BATD & AATD

You’ll retain your Perspective+ software and avionics layout—making the transition seamless. It’s the same great Cirrus-specific experience, just with added immersion and realism.

Whether you're training for high-stakes IFR flying or preparing for the Vision Jet, our SRx and SR7x platforms represent the gold standard in Cirrus home simulation.

Contact SALES HERE

Final Thoughts

The Cirrus Desktop Console delivers serious training capability in a sleek, simple, and affordable package. It removes the friction of learning complex avionics, reinforces good habits, and helps you walk into the cockpit prepared.

If you're serious about proficiency, realism, and convenience, this is the system that meets you where you are—at home, in the classroom, or anywhere in between.

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