Beechcraft Baron 5 C-E | Baron E55 Specifications

Beechcraft By Textron Aviation

Beechcraft has a history dating back to 1932. Founded in Wichita, Kansas by Walter and Olive Beech with engineer Ted Wells, the company quickly made its mark on the aviation industry. The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing took to the skies that same year. Because of the Staggerwing’s success, the distinctive staggered wing aircraft became a symbol of Beechcraft. This resulted in them producing over 750 Staggerwings.

Following the success of the Staggerwing, Beechcraft introduced the legendary Bonanza in 1947. This single-engine aircraft, known for its sleek design and impressive speed, holds the remarkable record of being the longest-continuously produced aircraft in the world. Beechcraft’s long-time legacy continues after the Bonanza with the introduction of the King Air, Super King Air, and Baron. These versatile planes solidified Beechcraft’s position as a leading manufacturer of both private and commercial aircraft.

In 1950, following Walter’s passing, Olive Beech took the helm as acting CEO. Because of her remarkable leadership and resilience, the company continued to thrive under her guidance until its acquisition in 1980.

In 2014, Beechcraft found a new home under the Textron Aviation umbrella. It joined fellow aviation giants Cessna and Piper Aircraft. Despite being part of this larger family, Beechcraft retains its distinct brand identity, honoring the legacy of its founders. Beechcraft continues to be a driving force in aviation, offering a diverse range of aircraft renowned for their performance, reliability, and innovation.

Developing Beechcraft Baron 55s

In 1960, Beechcraft introduced the Piper Aztec, using two 250-horsepower Lycoming O-540 engines. Cessna also improved the 310 with two Continental IO-470 D engines producing 260 horsepower. Meanwhile, Beechcraft’s Bonanza had been improved with a Continental IO-470-N. The answer to the competition was to make a true twin-engined variant of the Bonanza.

Introduced in 1961, the first Baron model 55 was equipped with two, six-cylinder IO-470-L engines with 260 horsepower. This aircraft is a direct predecessor of the Baron was the Beechcraft 95 Travel Air, which incorporated the fuselage of the Bonanza and the tail control surfaces of the T-34 Mentor military trainer. To create the new airplane, the Travel Air’s tail was replaced with that of the Beechcraft Debonair. With a fully swept vertical stabilizer of the Debonair and the retention of the four to five-place seating of the Travel Air, Beechcraft renamed this aircraft the Baron. Barons come in 3 basic types: Baron 55 (short body), Baron 56 (short body), and Baron 58 (long body), with several sub-variants each.

Country of Origin: America

Beechcraft Baron 55 C-E Statistics

Below are general specifications for the latest Beechcraft Baron 55 C-E aircraft models.

Beechcraft Baron 55 C Statistics

Maximum Speed: 210 kts
Maximum Range: 550 nm
Maximum Occupants: 4-6
Range Of Years Manufactured: 1966-1967
Total Aircraft Build: 451
Beechcraft Baron 55 C Statistics: Unknown
Useful Load: 2,225 lbs.
Average Sale Value: $160,000
Average Days On Market For Sale: 78
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Beechcraft Baron 55 D Statistics

Maximum Speed: 200 kts
Maximum Range: 550 nm
Maximum Occupants: 4-6
Range Of Years Manufactured: 1968-1969
Total Aircraft Build: 316
Current Operational Aircraft: Unknown
Useful Load: 1,608 lbs.
Average Sale Value: $181,523
Average Days On Market For Sale: Unknown
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Beechcraft Baron 55 E Statistics

Maximum Speed: 201 kts
Maximum Range: 780 nm
Maximum Occupants: 4-6
Range Of Years Manufactured: 1970-1982
Total Aircraft Build: 433
Current Operational Aircraft: Unknown
Useful Load: 1,800 lbs.
Average Sale Value: $219,000
Average Days On Market For Sale: Unknown
VREF Demand Rating: Join VREF Online

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

Maintenance Document

Baron Maintenance Manual

Local Resources

Textron Aviation Inc. (Domestic and International Service Centers)
CSOBeech.com

Manufacturer

Beechcraft

Insurance

Beechcraft Baron 55 C-E Details

Below are the details for the latest Baron 55 C-E aircraft models.

Interior

The Baron E55 features a spacious cabin that seats up to 6 people with club-style seating and 4 reclining seats facing each other in the main cabin area. The pilot and co-pilot have adjustable seats up front with a centrally-mounted instrument panel directly in front of them. The cabin is finished with premium materials like leather upholstery and wood veneer trim. Large windows offer excellent visibility and natural lighting. Other amenities included USB power outlets, an oxygen system, and optional air conditioning.

Exterior

The 1982 Beechcraft Baron E55 is a twin-engine piston aircraft with a sleek and aerodynamic aluminum fuselage, low-wing design, and retractable tricycle landing gear. It features:

A distinctive swept-wing
Two 300-horsepower wing-mounted Continental IO-550-C engines
Three-bladed constant-speed propellers
A conventional tail

Avionics

Garmin GMA-340 Audio Panel
Garmin GTN-750Xi WAAS GPS/Nav/Com
Apollo CNX-80 WAAS GPS/Nav/Com (rebranded GNS-480)
Garmin GTX-345 Transponder with ADS-B In/Out
STEC-55X Autopilot
Dual Garmin G-5’s Digital Flight Instruments / HSI
Radar Altimeter
BFG WX-900 Stormscope

Optional Equipment

Garmin GMA-340 Audio Panel
Garmin GTN-750Xi WAAS GPS/Nav/Com
Apollo CNX-80 WAAS GPS/Nav/Com (rebranded GNS-480)
Garmin GTX-345 Transponder with ADS-B In/Out
STEC-55X Autopilot
Dual Garmin G-5’s Digital Flight Instruments / HSI
Radar Altimeter
BFG WX-900 Stormscope

Specifications

Configuration: Twin Engine, Piston
Max Seats: 6
Max Take-Off Weight: 5,300 lbs.
Cruise 77% (E): 200 kts
Range: 933 nm
Take-Off Run: 1,315 ft.
Landing Roll: 1,237 ft.
Wing Span: 37 ft. 10 in.
Length: 29 ft.
Height: 9 ft. 2 in.
Take-Off (50 ft.): 2050 ft.
Landing (50 ft.): 2202 ft.

Beechcraft Baron 55 C-E Models

55

Following other prototypes, the Baron 55 was first seen in 1961. This twin-engine aircraft featured two 260-horsepower Continental IO-470-l six-cylinder piston engines. This particular model only had four seats. A total of 190 units were built with a price of $58,250.

A55

The A55 was only built for one year, from 1962 through 1963. However, it welcomed a new six-seat configuration that customers could choose instead of its original four-seater design. The A55 also offered a new instrument panel, exterior look, and interior design. At the time, the A55 was priced slightly higher than the original 55 at $58,950.

B55

The B55 was first introduced to the aviation community in 1964. It had a production timeline of about 18 years lasting through 1982. Like its predecessor, the B55 increased its seating from four to six seats. It also sported a brand-new exterior and interior look and increased its gross weight to 5,100 lbs. At first, the 1964 B55 was priced at $59,950.

C55

The C55 variant of the Beechcraft Baron was manufactured for just a few years from 1966 to 1967. This four to six-seater aircraft is equipped with two Continental IO-520-C piston engines, each producing 285 horsepower. This level of performance is a boost over the previous B55 model. It’s also important to know that both C-E noses were stretched out to fit more baggage and avionics gear.

D55

The D55 was built for one year, from 1968 through 1969. It had a new paint design and welcomed its speed-slope windshield. Its blade propellers changed to three blades and featured a different flap configuration. 316 D55s were built and cost $73,950 in 1968.

E55

Introduced in 1970, production of this aircraft ran through 1982. Some of its updates included a new paint job and interior, avionics, and panel. Also, a new entrance step, flush wing-tip lights, and a rotating beacon were added to the E55’s exterior. A total of 433 were built, costing $83,950 in 1970. The E55’s price would later spike to $219,500 in 1982.

56TC

To place itself as a competitor with Cessna’s 320 Skyknight, Beechcraft began work on a faster plane called the Duke. Beechcraft envisioned this aircraft with two turbocharged 380-hp Lycoming TIO-541-E1A4 engines. However, they needed to test the engines first. Thus, the Baron 56TC was born as it used the same engine planned for the Duke but fitted to a Baron. Only 93 Baron 56TCs were built from 1967 to 1971. At the time, it was known for being fast, and loud, and its increased empty weight to make up for its larger structure. In 1967, the 56TC cost $89,950.

A56TC

Built for one year from 1970 to 1971, only 11 A56TCs were manufactured. Its upgrades included a new exterior paint scheme, interior design update, smooth rotating beacon, navigation lights, new instrument panel, and nose wheel light. This model cost $101,750 in 1970.

58 Baron

The introduction of the 58 Baron in 1969 came with an increased gross weight of 5,400 lbs., and either a Continental IO-520 or IO-550 300-horsepower engine. Also added to this aircraft include…

Double rear fuselage doors
Center-row reversible club seats
Longer 58 fuselage was added with four side windows

The 58 Baron had three windows on its previous variant. Other variations of this model would later be introduced in 1976, including the turbocharged and pressurized versions. The Baron 58 is still in production as the Baron G58.

58P Baron

The 58P Baron was introduced in 1976 and produced through 1985. It has a pressurized cabin powered by two Continental TSIO-520-L turbocharged piston engines. A total of 495 were built with $200,750 in 1976.

58TC Baron

The 58TC Baron was introduced in 1976, and it was produced up until 1984. This model was powered by two turbocharged 310 hp Continental TSIO-520-L engines and made its first flight on October 31, 1975. There were 151 sold, and it cost $170,750 in 1976.

G58 Baron

The G58 Baron made its debut in 2005 and is still in production. This particular version of the 58 Baron came with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit avionics.

G58 Baron ISR

Beechcraft set out to make a low-cost ISTAR aircraft for an agency with the Puerto Rican Police Department, the Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción (FURA). The aircraft was later improved to include a FLIR 230-HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera system and operator’s console with mapping and mission management computer capabilities. It also had a recorder, multi-band communications radio system, and data link for special mission operators.

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