Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C

Beechcraft Aircraft

Founded in in Wichita, Kansas in 1932, the Beech Aircraft Corporation fired up during the Great Depression and right before World War II began. Founder and President, Walter Beech, led until he passed unexpectedly in 1950. It was then up to his wife Olive Ann Beech to transform from the company’s secretary and treasurer to President. Olive remained President of Beechcraft for 18 years, officially retiring in 1982.

The Model 17 Staggerwing in its earlier years put Beechcraft on the map in aviation. Ted Wells, Vice President of Engineering, led Staggerwing production. It then took its first flight in 1932. Beechcraft would go on to produce 750 more Staggerwings.

Beechcraft’s famous Bonanza was introduced by 1945, making a name for itself among other aircraft on the market. Beechcraft’s Bonanza has the longest production run of any other plane in the world with 3 essential variants: Model 35 Bonanza with its signature V-tail, the conventional-tailed Model 33 Debonair or Bonanza, and the Model 36 Bonanza.

After several financial setbacks over the years, Beechcraft sold to Textron in 2014 and is now part of the “Big Three” in general aviation manufacturing, including Piper Aircraft and Cessna.

Development Of Beechcraft’s Sierra
Beechcraft’s goal in the early 60s was to produce a single-engine aircraft that could compete with planes like the Skyhawk. In 1963, Beechcraft welcomed the Sierra A23 to its aircraft lineup and then introduced the Model A 23-24 Super III.

By the time the Sierra 24R appeared in 1970, engineers had adjusted the legs so they could be retractable. This initial variant is the Sierra A24R and was known for being spacious for everyone on board. Especially at a time when most aircraft were small with limited room to stretch let alone sit, this was a huge selling point. Making the aircraft roomy inspired a few other future design choices like adding a second cockpit and baggage door on the left side. This made it easier to both board and load comfortably.

When Beechcraft unveiled its B24R in 1973, it featured a new instrument panel with quadrant-style engine controls. Furthermore, an enlarged baggage door was added to its updated design for more storage. The prop on the B24R is also replaced with a Hartzell.

The final Sierra joined the Beechcraft family in 1977 with the C24R. A few updates include new aileron bearings for smoother controls and a refreshed cabin vent system.

Country of Origin: America

Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C Statistics

The following are statistics for the latest variation of the Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C (1983).

Maximum Speed: 143 kias
Maximum Range: 561 nm
Maximum Occupants: 4-6
Range Of Years Manufactured: 1970-1983
Total Aircraft Build: 45
Total In Service: Unknown
Useful Load: 1,030 lbs
Average Sale Value: $128,444
Average Days On Market For Sale: Unknown
VREF Demand Rating; Visit VREF Online

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Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C Details

The following includes general details for Beechcraft’s Sierra 24R A-C (1983).

Interior

The C24R has optional 5th and 6th seat installations available. However, they’re much more equipped to seat children. Seating is made with washable vinyl, wool, and foam padding. This model also features deep-pile wall-to-wall carpet and color-coordinated trim.

Exterior

The Sierra’s exterior features a full-size cargo door at waist level to make loading easier. This feature also offers the benefit of being able to load passengers and luggage at the same time. Additionally, the C24R has a 2-blade Hartzell propeller and a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine.

Avionics

A Beechcraft Sierra C24R (1981) may or may not contain the following avionics:

Garmin GTX 335/G ADSB out
TIS Wired To Garmin 496 and Audio Panel
Altitude Alert System 3070
WX-8 Storm Scope
Wingtip Strobes
Dual NAV/COMS
King HSI Coupled to Century llB Autopilot
PS Engineering PMA 8000B Audio Panel
Electronic Outside Air Temperature
2 Bose Headsets
Beechcraft Jumper Cables

Specifications

Configuration: Single Engine, Piston, Retractable Gear
Max Seats: 6
Max Take-Off Weight: 2,750 lbs.
Cruise: 137 kts
Range: 646 nm
Take-Off Run: 1,063 ft.
Landing Roll: 816 ft.
Wing Span: 32 ft. 9 in.
Length: 25 ft. 9 in.
Height: 8 ft. 1 in.
Take-Off (50 ft.): 1,804 ft.
Landing (50 ft.): 1,519 ft.

Beechcraft Musketeer & Sundowner Models

The following is information on all Beechcraft Musketeer, Sundowner, and Sierra models.

23 Musketeer

Powered by a 160-horsepower Lycoming O-320-D2B piston engine, the 23 Musketeer is Beechcraft’s first of this series of aircraft. It has a gross weight of 2,300 lbs. and received its certification on February 20, 1962. This four-seater lightweight aircraft also has fixed tricycle landing gears.

A23 Musketeer II

This four-seat Musketeer has a higher gross weight from the original to 2,350 lbs. and is powered by a 165-horsepower Continental IO-346-A piston engine. The A23 received its certification on June 7, 1963.

A23A

Featuring the same four-seater, lightweight cabin design with fixed tricycle landing gear, this aircraft is powered by a 165-horsepower Continental IO-346-A piston engine. Increasing its gross weight from its previous model to 2,400 lbs., this aircraft received its certification on November 5, 1965.

A23-19 (Model 19)

Model 19 has an optional two or four-seat capacity and is powered by a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2B, E2C, or E3D piston engine. Its gross weight is 2,200 lbs. This aircraft received its certification on December 9, 1965.

A23-24

This four to six-seat light cabin aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear is powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A2B or A2D. When equipped with a constant-speed propeller, it contains a Lycoming IO-360-A1B or an A1D piston engine with a gross weight of 2,550 lbs. This plane received its certification on March 7, 1966.

A24

This lightweight aircraft has fixed tricycle landing gears and aircraft seats for up to six total passengers. It is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-A1B or an A1D piston engine with a gross weight of 2,550 lbs. When equipped with a constant-speed propeller, the A24 is powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A2B or A2D. This model received its first certification on February 5, 1970.

19A

A 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2B, E2C, or E3D piston engine powers this two or four-seat aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear. It has a lowered gross weight of 2,250 lbs. and received its first certification on August 31, 1967. It is also an approved aircraft in the aerobatic category as of March 12, 1968.

M19A

The M19A is powered by a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2B, E2C, or E3D piston engine, and seats two with a gross weight of 2,250 lbs. It received its certification on December 9, 1969, including certification for the aerobatic category.

B19

Certified on February 13, 1970, this aircraft includes certification within the aerobatic category. This two to four-seat light cabin aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear is powered by a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2B, E2C, or E3D piston engine. The B19 has a gross weight of 2,250 lbs.

B23

Powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360-A2G piston engine, this four-seater aircraft has a gross weight of 2,450 lbs. This variation was first certified on December 13, 1967, later including the aerobatic category on November 22, 1968.

C23

Known as the Musketeer Custom, this aircraft was first certified on February 13, 1970, also in the aerobatic category. This four-seat lightweight cabin aircraft has fixed tricycle landing gear and is powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360-A4G, A2G, A4J, or A4K piston engine. This aircraft has a gross weight of 2,450 lbs. With the introduction of the Musketeer Custom III in 1972, it went through another name change to the Sundowner.

A24R Sierra 200

Powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1B or A1D piston engine, the Sierra 200 has a gross weight of 2,750 lbs. and seats four to six passengers. It received its certification on December 23, 1969.

B24R Sierra 200

Seating four to six, this B24R is powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 piston engine. This variation has a new propeller and a gross weight of 2,750 lbs. It was first certified on June 18, 1973. However, this aircraft was sold as a 1974 model with a new larger rear baggage door.

C24R Sierra 200

First certified on October 1, 1976, this four or six-seat light cabin aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear is powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 piston engine. It features a newer, larger propeller, making it 6 knots faster than the “B” and has a gross weight of 2,750 lbs.

Top Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C

The following are the top questions related to the Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C.

What Is The Range Of A Beechcraft Sierra?

According to GlobalAir, the Sierra C24R has a range of 561 nm.

What Does Sierra Mean In Aviation?

“Sierra” is a letter used in the phonetic alphabet to represent the letter “S” in aviation. The phonetic alphabet was recognized internationally in the 1920s (NATO). Because its introduction came before the Beechcraft Sierra was invented, it most likely does not refer specifically to the Beechcraft variant.

Is the Beechcraft Sierra A Good Plane?

Pilots enjoy the Beechcraft Sierra for its spacious cabin and sturdy retractable build. However, it is not known for being an incredibly fast aircraft.

Are Beechcraft Sierra 24R A-C Models For Military Use?

Some Sierra and similar models were used in international military operations:

Algerian Air Force – B24R Sierra no longer in service
Canadian Armed Forces – B23 and C23 Sundowners with a designation of CT-134 until 1992
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force – B23-19 retired in 1993
Mexican Air Force A23-19 retired
Royal Moroccan Air Force – 23 no longer in active service