In addition, thanks to forced induction, Beechcraft managed to increase the service ceiling of the Baron 58P to 25,000 ft (7620 m), which users could take advantage of because of the pressurized cabin. The Baron 58P was powered by two turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-L that produced 375 hp (279 kW). The first was introduced in 1976 and is a pressurized version, which was named the Baron 58P. It’s also not plagued by excessive cabin noise like most Beechcraft aircraft. So it’s no surprise that it is a favorite for charter operations. The Model 58 is hailed for being one of the most comfortable aircraft in its category. Owners can choose either a pair of 285 hp (212 kW) Continental IO-520-C or a pair of 300 hp (224 kW) Continental IO-550-C engines. The Model 58 is built on the Model 55 platform but has a longer fuselage and seating for six (pilot included) in a club seat configuration. Introduced in 1969, the Model 58 is the most iconic in the Beechcraft Baron line and is in production 52 years later.
Unfortunately, Beechcraft only produced this model for one year before the Baron 56 was discontinued. The Beechcraft gave the new aircraft a new paint job, a newly designed instrument panel, a nose wheel light, and smoother, more aerodynamic beacon and navigation lights.
In 1970, the Baron 56TC received its first and last refresh. The combination of the small body and powerful engines made the Baron 56TC the fastest Beechcraft in 1967, even beating out King Airs sold at the time. Beechcraft modified the chassis of the Baron 56 to be more structurally rigid and heavier to compensate for the higher power and torsional forces. The engines were mated to a Baron C55 chassis, and the aircraft was named the Model 56TC. Similar to how the Travel Air was to the Baron line itself, the Baron 56 was built as an experimental precursor to the Model 60 Duke.īeechcraft’s Baron 56 is powered by two turbocharged Lycoming TIO-541-E1A4 engines that put out 380 hp (283 kW), has an MTOW of 5,990 lbs (2,717 kg), and reaches its service ceiling at 32,200 ft (9,814 m) The reason is that it was only ever meant to be a stepping stone for a different model. It was introduced in 1967 and discontinued just four years later. In contrast to the Model 55 and Model 58, the Model 56 had a very short-lived production cycle, with only 93 ever produced. In addition, the fuselage was lengthened and made more aerodynamic, the flap configuration was changed, and a three-blade propeller was added. So Beechcraft swapped out the Continental IO-470-I engine for the higher displacement Continental IO-520-C which produces 285 hp (213 kW).
A36 BONANZA PERFORMANCE SPECS UPDATE
The first update was the A55, which increased the optional seating capacity by one, allowing consumers to choose from a four-seat or six-seat configuration.īy the time the last update – the E55 – came around, the aircraft was 220 lbs (99 kg) heavier. During its 22 year production, the Baron 55 was updated six times. The Baron 55 was in production from 1961 to 1983, during which Beechcraft made 3,651 models. With its MTOW of 4,880 lbs (2,213 kg), the engines allowed the aircraft to climb to a service ceiling of 19,300 ft (5882 m). The first-ever Baron 55 is a four-seater, twin-engine aircraft powered by Continental IO-470, producing 260 hp (190 kW) per engine. But should instead be viewed as “sisters.”īeechcraft Baron: Variants Baron Model 55 Therefore, it’s incorrect to say that the Model 56 and Model 58 are upgraded versions of the Baron 55. These had their sub-variants that came in the form of upgrades and other changes such as forced induction models. During its 60 year history, Beechcraft introduced 15 variants of the Baron, including a military variant and a turboprop variant.Įxcluding both the military and turboprop versions of the Baron, three main models were the Model 55, Model 56, and Model 58. The unique traits being the addition of six-cylinder engines and newer, more streamlined engine nacelles.Īfter its introduction, the Baron quickly became a fan favorite and has been in production for 60 years, during which over 6900 units were produced, with no signs of stopping. Beechcraft took the fuselage from the Bonanza, the empennage from the Debonair, and the tail from the T34-Mentor. Frankenstien’s monster with different parts from different aircraft. But this model was soon succeeded by the Baron Model 55. They filled this gap in 1958 with the introduction of the short-lived Beechcraft 95 Travel Air. In the mid-1950s, Beechcraft realized no medium-sized aircraft in their line-up between the single-engine Baron 35 Bonanza and the much larger dual-engine Baron 50 Twin Bonanza.