Beechcraft Bonanza G36 (2006+)

Beech introduced the A36 in 1968 as the stretched six-seat Bonanza variant. The A36 ran for nearly 40 years through production, with the 1984 introduction of the Continental IO-550-B (300 hp) as a key engineering refinement. Various A36 sub-variants (A36, A36TC, B36TC turbocharged) ran in parallel. Hawker Beechcraft renamed the A36 to G36 in 2006 with the addition of the Garmin G1000 panel as standard equipment.

Production of the G36 has continued since 2006 with steady refinements and avionics updates. Garmin G1000 NXi replaced the original G1000 around 2014. The current G36 features the latest Garmin panel, refined interior, and the same IO-550-B engine that has powered the A36 since 1984. Total Bonanza production across all variants (V35, F33A, A36, G36, etc.) exceeds 17,000 aircraft.

Textron acquired Beech in 2014 and has continued G36 production at the Wichita facility. Production volumes are low (typically 30 to 50 aircraft per year) reflecting the premium-priced positioning. The G36 represents Beech's continuous Bonanza heritage and the airplane remains the standard owner-flown high-performance piston single. ABS provides comprehensive type-club support.

The G36 cruises at about 174 KTAS at 75% power, burning 16 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 162 KTAS on 13.5 gph. The G36's performance is essentially identical to the A36 of the same era. The cruise speed advantage over older Bonanzas is modest but the modern panel and refined cabin make the cross-country experience meaningfully better.

Useful load on a G36 is about 1,100 to 1,250 pounds. Full fuel (74 gallons usable) leaves about 650 to 800 pounds for people and bags. Six adults plus moderate bags fit within gross with reasonable loading. Range with reserves is about 850 nm at long-range cruise. The cabin layout with optional club seating is the most-comfortable six-seat single in production at this price point.

The Continental IO-550-B is the engine on every G36. Six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, direct-drive piston rated at 300 hp at 2,700 RPM. Continental's published TBO is 1,700 hours (1,900 hours for serial number 1006000 and later) per Continental Service Information Letter SIL 98-9E. The IO-550-B is the same engine as in the A36 since 1984, with universal parts and shop support.

Field overhauls at Western Skyways, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Continental shops run $50,000 to $68,000 in 2026 prices. The Hartzell three-blade or McCauley three-blade constant-speed propeller standard on the G36 runs $3,500 to $6,500 to overhaul.

Oil consumption on a healthy IO-550-B runs about 0.4 to 0.6 quarts per hour. Cylinder work at 1,100 to 1,400 hours common on hard-flown engines. The G36 typically reaches TBO with proper management.

Plan on $315 to $430 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. The G36's operating cost is at the high end of cabin-class singles due to the modern panel, current production parts pricing, and the six-cylinder Continental. Fuel and oil run about $92 to $115 per hour at 16 gph and $5.50 to $7 for 100LL. Engine overhaul reserve is $26 to $36 per hour. Prop reserve adds $2.00 to $3.50 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $45 to $70 per hour due to gear-system, G1000 NXi support, and Beech parts pricing.

Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add another $110 to $185 per hour at 100 hours a year of utilization. Insurance on the G36 is moderate to high due to high hull values. First-time G36 owners pay $5,000 to $9,500 a year typically. Established Bonanza pilots pay $3,500 to $6,500.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: G36 aircraft from 2006-2014 run $475,000 to $750,000. Later G36s with G1000 NXi run $700,000 to $1.1 million. New from Textron starts above $1.3 million with 12 to 18 month delivery lead times.

American Bonanza Society is essential. Annual dues run about $80. ABS BPPP recurrent training functionally required by insurance for the G36.