SR20
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Approximately 5 minutes after departing; we were given direct to the IAF for the VOR/DME-A at airport ZZZ. Once we were approximately half way to the IAF both the instructor and [student pilot] noticed the oil pressure fluctuating between the caution range and back into the green range. [The instructor] contacted approach and advised we would return to [departure airport]. Once a 180 degree turn was made; the oil pressure continued to fluctuate and became worse. At that time the ATC advised that the airport ZZZ1 was the nearest airport. Instructor diverted the aircraft to ZZZ1 at that time and was cleared for the visual approach. Once contacting the ZZZ1 Tower the engine also began to run rough and the instructor requested emergency vehicles as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely and was able to taxi to the ramp and shutdown without further incident.
A flight instructor in a SR20 reported a fluctuating oil pressure indication that resulted in a turn back towards the departure airport. The indications became more severe and the engine also was reported to be rough running; so the flight was diverted to the closest airport where a successful landing was made.