Beechcraft Baron 55 A/B

Beechcraft By Textron Aviation

Although Beechcraft is part of Textron Aviation today, it initially established itself in 1932 in Wichita, Kansas. Husband and wife, Walter and Olive Beech, and the vice president of engineering, Ted Wells, started Beechcraft in a small factory. They produced their first aircraft, the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing, in 1932. Eventually, Beechcraft created 750 Staggerwing models.

Following the Staggerwing, the ever-famous Beechcraft Bonanza entered the aviation industry in 1947. The Beechcraft Bonanza has the longest production history of any other plane globally. After the Bonanza, a few other significant models would mark the Beechcraft name, including the King Air, Super King Air, and Baron.

In 1950, Olive took over as acting CEO after Walter’s untimely death until the company sold in 1980. Beechcraft would see a few more sales over its lifetime. Most notably, Textron Aviation agreed to purchase Beechcraft in 2013 for $1.4 billion, and the deal closed in early 2014.

Today, Beechcraft is one of three key aviation companies, including Textron-owned Cessna and Piper Aircraft. Although they all fall under the Textron Aviation umbrella, Textron has agreed to keep Beechcraft and Cessna separate brands.

Beechcraft & World War II

Beechcraft had a strong presence during World War II. About 90% of United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bombardiers trained in Beechcraft’s AT-11. Also known as the AT-11, it acted as the military version of the Beechcraft Model 18 commercial transport.

Beechcraft won its first Army-Navy “E” production award in 1942. It then became one of the exclusive 5% war contracting firms to win five straight awards. Beechcraft’s production efficiency was likely awarded because of its Beechcraft Model 18, which is still used today. Beechcraft made 69th place in the U.S. for its contract value regarding World War II military production.

Country of Origin: America

Beechcraft Baron 55 A/B Statistics

Below are the statistics for the latest models of both Baron 55 A and B. Get more information about the most popular single-piston aircraft and join the aviation community at VREF Online.

Beechcraft Baron 55 A Statistics

190 kts

Maximum Speed

798 nm

Maximum Range

Maximum Occupants

Range Of Years Manufactured

2,450

Total Aircraft Build

Unknown

Current Operational Aircraft

1,612 lbs

Useful Load

$58,950

Average Sale Value

Buyer

VREF Demand Rating (Seller)

Beechcraft Baron 55 B Statistics

195 kts

Maximum Speed

779 nm

Maximum Range

Maximum Occupants

Range Of Years Manufactured

2,450

Total Aircraft Build

Unknown

Current Operational Aircraft

1,864 lbs

Useful Load

$167,967

Average Sale Value

Buyer

VREF Demand Rating (Seller)

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

Maintenance Document

Local Resources

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

Manufacturer

Beechcraft

Insurance

Beechcraft Baron G58 Details

Interior

This 6-seater aircraft has seen quite a few upgrades over the years. The interior of the latest Baron aircraft has 137-cubic-feet of cabin space with four seats in a club configuration. Each leather seat is designed for comfort and has lumbar support and headrests. Its most modern features include USB ports, reading lights, and stowaway tables. Moveable seating and positioning fit your space needs, offering an elevated level of comfort.

Interior packages are available in:

Camel
Chelsea Grey
Raven

Exterior

The exterior of the Baron G58 is sharp and cohesive. Its twin-piston design features LED lighting, large AFT loading doors, tricycle landing gear, and more. You can customize it with a handful of paint styles and the following paint shade options:

Solid

Matterhorn White
Dune
Dove
Steel Gray
Ascot Gray
Charcoal
Bahama Blue
Marlin Blue
Bristol Blue
Aristo Blue
Regimental Blue
Irish Green
Jungle Green
Camel
Oak Brown
Clarette
Toreador Red
Orange Crush
Sun Yellow
Black

Metallic

Silver Platinum
Stardust
Smoke
Black
Moonstone
Gold
Executive Gold
Light Saddle
Saddle Brown
Mink Brown
Cordovan
Royalty Red
Cardinal Red
Persian Green
Turquoise
Aquamarine
Misty Blue
Virga Blue
Ming Blue

Avionics

Standard ADS-B Out and In
Optional wireless database and flight plan loading
Standard Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and Under Speed Protection (USP)
Integrated VFR Sectional Charts
IFR High and Low Charts with Night Mode
Garmin Connect Satellite Iridium
COM frequency decoding
Vertical Situation Display
Selectable Visual Approaches
Optional Surface Watch for runway safety
Simplified maintenance

Specifications

Configuration: Twin Engine, Piston
Max Seats: 6
Landing Roll: 1,425 ft.
Length: 29 ft. 10in.
Height: 9 ft. 6 in.
Take Off (50 ft.): 2,101 ft.
Landing (50 ft.): 1,439 ft.
Max Take-Off Weight: 5,500 lbs.
Cruise: 203 kts
Range: 1,575 nm
Take Off Run: 1,400 ft.
Wing Span: 37 ft. 10 in.

Beechcraft Baron Models

55

Following other prototypes, the Baron 55 was first seen in 1961. This twin-engine aircraft featured two 260-hp Continental IO-470-l six-cylinder piston engines. 190 units were built and, at the time, were also priced at $58,250. Unlike today’s models, this one only had four seats.

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 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. However, over time, its value started to rise. This caused its 1982 model to be priced at around $177,500.

C55

Similar to the A55, the C55 was only built for a year between 1966 and 1967. Buyers had an option between four and six-seat models, and it contained two 285-hp Continental IO-520-C piston engines. Overall, this helped to increase its performance over the B55.

Additionally, its frame opted for a lengthened nose to take on extra baggage or equipment. This change was also made to improve its weight and balance. Other changes on the C55 included an air intake box design alteration and belt-driven to gear-driven alternator change. With 451 aircraft built, this particular model cost $68,350 in 1966.

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

First introduced in 1970, the production of this aircraft ran through 1982. Some of its updates included a new paint job and interior, avionics, and panel. On the aircraft’s exterior, a new entrance step, flush wing-tip lights, and a rotating beacon were added. There were 433 built, and cost $83,950 in 1970, and that price would later see a significant 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 to be made 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, loud, and its increased empty weight to make up for its larger structure. In 1967, the 56TC cost $89,950.

A56TC

This model was only built for one year, from 1970 to 1971, and only 11 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 had either a Continental IO-520 or IO-550 300-hp engine. An addition of double rear fuselage doors and center row reversible club seats were made, and this eliminated the need for passengers to have to climb over the center seats and through the baggage door to reach the back seats.

Furthermore, a longer 58 fuselage was added with four side windows, and previous models had three windows. Other variations of this model would later be introduced in 1976, including the turbocharged and pressurized versions. Later models have an improved instrument panel and a few additional adjustments. The Baron 58 is still in production as of 2021 in the form of 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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