Textron Updates And Upgrades Beechcraft And Cessna Piston Models

14

Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft Bonanza piston single and Baron twin, along with the Cessna line of piston singles, will receive “a range of enhancements,” announced this week at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in & Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. “Customers will experience a noticeable change when they’re inside each of these aircraft,” said Chris Crow, vice president of piston sales at Textron.

In the case of the Bonanza, a maximum-takeoff-weight increase of 155 pounds (in standard configuration) means there could actually be one more “customer” on a given flight experiencing those noticeable changes (though a bit slimmer than the FAA’s standard 180-pounder). The six-seat Bonanza G-36 now has 1,213 pounds of useful load with six seats installed.

The Bonanza—as well as the Baron—also get upgraded to the Garmin GI 275 electronic standby instrument, along with a carbon monoxide detector integrated with the Garmin avionics system, USB ports at every seat, powered headset plugs in the cockpit and updated LED exterior lighting. Buyers of the two Beechcraft models will also have three new interior schemes to choose from and a new cockpit layout with a standalone autopilot controller.

High-wing fans haven’t been left behind. All new-production Cessna pistons are also getting a Garmin GI 275 electronic standby, along with Alcantara inserts in the seats and a backlit USB A/C port in the cockpit. Celebrating the 65th birthday of the 182 Skylane, Textron harkened back to a retro paint scheme, including the name “Cessna” on the doors in the marque’s early font. And alongside the Skylane on display at Sun ‘n Fun is an example of the turbocharged TIO-540 AK1A Lycoming engine that will power the upcoming Turbo Skylane to be added to the product line. The engine will be able to maintain its full 235 HP up to 20,000 feet, yielding a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots.

Mark Phelps
Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

Other AVwebflash Articles

14 COMMENTS

  1. I’m wondering if the CO detector that is part of the Garmin system requires any kind of maintenance. Most home CO detectors are only good for 10 years then require replacement.

  2. Enhancements for the Bonanza…USB ports and LED lights. Wow!!
    How about electronic fuel injection and spark control like automobiles have had for 40+ years? How about a Jet A burning engine on the Bonanza airframe? How many years ago did Beech put a PT6 on the T34C?
    It would be interesting to see some REAL advancements in general aviation ( outside of the home built? Side of it) for a change, but all we see, year after year, is gingerbread.

    • I agree, but a USB port is the only thing they can add without the general idiot public freaking out and suing Beech or Cessna. Americans on average are not well educated or informed anymore. The one thing I remember most from the Beech museum is the half aircraft built just to show a jury. They can not change anything because Americans are jurors… and they think Biden is in a cognitive mental state… come on man.

  3. I am sure what Textron meant was the bonanza is now “back” to its original useful load of 1213 lbs. But i guess the marketing wanks don’t like it when no one cheers for mediocrity. I wonder what they are going to notice? That everything about them is outdated and there has not been any innovation in that space for 5 decades? Yeah i am absolutely positive anyone who understands will notice.

  4. Be nice if they put in some crash protection, AmSafe Airbags, better engineered dash to protect against “flailing” and face injuries, a collapsible control yoke, possibly more crushable engine mounts, similar to the sorts of crushable structure mandated for cars and SUV’s. And for a million bucks, possibly one of those Garmin ‘land safe’ devices with instructions to the pilot that when he gets in over his head, as I routinely read about in post mortem’s, to just push the button.

    • I was thinking along the same lines, Rich. Replacing the flanged fuel lines which are likely to spray you with fuel in a crash would be nice as well.

      Also, if Mooney can replace part of their plane with composite, why can’t Cessna? A new, safer, more efficient, more comfortable, and more aerodynamic fuselage made of composite should replace the existing semi monocoque “spam can”. Keep the existing wing and feathers.

  5. The only good thing about Textron owning Beech and Cessna is China doesn’t own them. Don’t expect any improvements without price hikes that will make you find some other hobby. Few people will fly anymore if planes are over a million dollars each… and it they do go in that direction, the general public will soon begin to remove airports from the landscape of America. Then we will not have anywhere to fly to.
    If flying doesn’t remain affordable to a significant portion of the people, the people will soon want the public land to be used for something else. Chicago comes to mind. People were upset that an airport in Connecticut was shutting down for a few days then reopening as a private airport. I hope you figured out why they went private.
    Even if you can fork out a few million for a plane, you had better hope enough other people can too, or your airport may be closed.

    • “Few people will fly anymore if planes are over a million dollars each… and if they do go in that direction, the general public will soon begin to remove airports from the landscape of America.” —– They have been going in that direction for a long time. I started flying in the 50s and believe me general aviation is nothing like it used to be. I cannot begin to tell you how many airports have been eliminated since that time. As for general aviation aircraft – the way they are being crashed weekly and the older ones are disappearing, at some time we are going to run out of affordable aircraft. I am glad that I was able to fly when I did, as I would not even think about it now.

  6. Since integration of avionics to airframe has exceeded almost anyones wildest dreams, the new”Save me” button on the Mirage is the best example, how about when the pilot enters a destination in the GPS the avionics will check weather and fuel supply and if either does not meet the requirements for a safe flight, it won’t the aircraft to start.😂

    • Typical @hole pilot calling to ask if they’re selling what’s not on the menu. Like you’re in the market … Autem, if you know how to fly a turbo it’s nothing but an asset. Were the bean counters and lawyers were in control at Textron they would cancel pistons and focus on jets and turbos alone for margin. And skip the @holes and litigants.

  7. “All new-production Cessna pistons are also getting … Alcantara inserts in the seats and a backlit USB A/C port in the cockpit.” Wow, for a half-million bucks I can get fancy leather seats. For about ten grand I put leather seats in my old Cessna. Oh, and I put in a USB port in this year for about $350. Can’t see any good reason to buy a new one that flies the same as my ’75 model does for a whole lot less. Also, Rich K made a good point about upgrading the design for better crash protection and occupant safety. Probably not going to happen as long as the money-grubbers from Textron own them.

LEAVE A REPLY