Aircraft overview

The Beechcraft Bonanza 36 is the six-seat, stretched-cabin member of the Bonanza family, built by Beechcraft as a high-performance, single-engine piston aircraft for personal, business, and IFR cross-country use. The Model 36 entered production in 1968, followed by the A36 in 1970 and the glass-cockpit G36 in 2006. Unlike the shorter four-seat Bonanzas, the 36 series is valued for its club-style rear cabin, wide utility doors on many versions, and practical load-carrying flexibility. It remains an important used-aircraft benchmark because it combines Bonanza handling and retractable-gear speed with true family or business seating.

Performance & specifications

Typical cruise performance for a Beechcraft Bonanza 36 is in the mid-160-knot range, with later IO-550-powered A36 and G36 aircraft often planned around roughly 165-175 knots depending on altitude, power setting, and engine installation. Practical range is commonly around 700-900 nautical miles with reserves, again depending on tanks, payload, and operating profile. Useful load varies materially by year, equipment, and modifications, but many aircraft fall in the approximate 1,200-1,400 lb range. The service ceiling is typically listed at 18,500 feet. Powerplants include the Continental IO-520 series on earlier Model 36 aircraft and the Continental IO-550-B, rated at 300 hp, on later A36 and G36 examples.

Cabin & avionics

The Bonanza 36 cabin normally seats up to six, with two front seats and a flexible rear cabin that may be arranged in club seating. The large aft side doors are a major practical advantage for passengers, baggage, and occasional bulky cargo. Cabin width is modest by modern standards, but visibility, build quality, and access are strong points for the class. Avionics vary widely: older aircraft may have legacy analog panels or mixed Garmin GNS/GTN upgrades, while late-production G36 models are associated with the Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck. Many used aircraft have been modernized with WAAS GPS, digital engine monitors, autopilot upgrades, Garmin G500/G500 TXi, or Aspen displays.

Buying & value

Prospective buyers should evaluate airframe corrosion, landing-gear rigging and maintenance history, fuel-system condition, engine time and cylinder history, autopilot functionality, and the quality of any avionics retrofit. Common market distinctions include early Model 36 aircraft, A36 examples with IO-550 conversions or factory IO-550 power, turbo-normalized conversions, and later G36 aircraft with G1000 avionics. The Beechcraft Bonanza 36 typically occupies the upper tier of used piston singles because of its six-seat cabin, parts support, and broad owner base. Current PlaneFox listing data shows an average asking price of about EUR 439,000, with observed asking prices from roughly EUR 149,000 to EUR 879,000, reflecting large differences in age, avionics, engine status, and upgrades.