Textron announces Bonanza gross weight increase
Useful load increase among upgrades
Textron announced updates to the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 including the addition of a Garmin GI 275 electronic standby instrument, the most significant changes to the 75-year-old design in quite a while.
New production Beechcraft Bonanza G36s will roll off the line with an increase in maximum takeoff weight, electronic standby instruments, and interior updates, among other piston aircraft upgrades announced by Textron Aviation April 4.
Deliveries are expected to begin mid-year, with the upgraded G36 offering a 155-pound increase in maximum takeoff weight that brings useful load to 1,213 pounds in this latest version of the storied airplane in the standard six-seat configuration, the company said at the Sun ‘’n Fun Aerospace Expo. All new production Beechcraft and Cessna piston models will include a Garmin GI 275 electronic standby instrument, and new Bonanzas and Baron G58s will come with a carbon monoxide detector integrated into the Garmin avionics system. Textron displayed the Bonanza and Baron along with a Cessna Skylane, Turbo Stationair HD, and Caravan turboprop at the show in Lakeland, Florida.
“This is an ideal opportunity for us share the significant advancements we are making with our piston products,” said Chris Crow, vice president of piston sales. “Each of the aircraft we will have on display is an example of our continued focus on our customers’ needs. Sun 'n Fun is always a great event to interact with passionate aviators, and we’re pleased to have so many announcements for our iconic Beechcraft and Cessna brands.”
The Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history. The V-tail Bonanza 35 entered the market in 1947 with a maximum weight of 2,550 pounds and a 165-horsepower engine. Numerous updates over the years led to the model G36, with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, a 300-horsepower engine, and, with the weight increase, a maximum takeoff weight of 3,805 pounds.
Both the Bonanza and Baron can be ordered in one of three new interior schemes, a new cockpit layout with stand-alone autopilot controller, USB ports at every seat, powered headset plugs in the cockpit, and updated LED exterior lighting. Textron expects deliveries of new models to begin in mid-2022.
In addition to the electronic standby instrument, Cessna piston models will include Alcantara inserts in the seats and a backlit USB A/C port in the cockpit.
