Beechcraft Baron G58 vs Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500 vs Piper Seminole vs Piper Seneca
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Piper Arrow are high-performance single‑engine pistons, typically carrying about 4–6 people; the G36 is roomier and generally offers longer legs, while the Arrow is usually shorter‑range with 2–4 adults plus bags depending on loading. The Beechcraft Baron G58 and Piper Seneca are light twin‑engine pistons, commonly seating 4–6; they add redundancy and better climb but often trade some useful load and simplicity for higher operating cost, with ranges typically similar to or modestly better than comparable singles. The Piper M350 is a pressurized, high‑performance piston single for about 4–6, aimed at comfortable IFR travel with solid range. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop, usually 4–6, faster with longer practical range than most pistons. The Cessna Turbo Stationair is a utility‑oriented, turbocharged piston single, often configured for 4–6 with good load flexibility and respectable range. The Cessna Caravan is a utility turboprop, commonly seating 9–14, optimized for payload and short/rough fields, with moderate range compared with smaller, faster personal aircraft.
| Spec | Beechcraft Baron G58 | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan | Piper M350 | Piper M500 | Piper Arrow | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.72 | $ 1.16 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 | $ 1.36 | $ 1.69 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Piper | Piper | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Baron G58 | Bonanza G36 | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan | M350 | M500 | Arrow | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1480 | 920 | 703 | 1070 | 1343 | 1000 | 700 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.29 | $ 0.19 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.23 | $ 0.28 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1450 | 1050 | — | 3305 | 1308 | 1698 | 1191 | 1331 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 347 | $ 204 | $ 174 | $ 571 | $ 285 | $ 579 | $ 221 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 202 | 176 | 161 | 186 | 213 | 260 | 162 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,495,000 | $925,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 | $765,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | No | — | No | — | — |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | — | Un-Pressurized | 5.6 | 5.5 | — | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | No | — | Refreshment Centre | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | — | — | MID | — | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 12600 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 8244 | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-C | IO-550-B | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A | O-360-AIH6 | TSIO-360-RB |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | — | AvGas | — | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 1700 | 2000 | 3600 | 2000 | 3600 | 2000 | 1800 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | — | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 300 | 350 | 675 | 350 | 500 | 180 | 220 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — | Fuel Injected | — | Carbureted | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 194 | 74 | 87 | — | 120 | 170 | 108 | 122 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 31 | — | ISA + 55 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 29.9 | 27.5 | 28.3 | 37.6 | 29 | 29.6 | 27.6 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 37.9 | 33.5 | 36 | 52.1 | 43 | 43.2 | 38.6 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.6 | 12.1 | 12.8 | 12.3 | 12.3 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.8 | 8.6 | 9.4 | 15 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 150 | 100 | — | — | 165 | 165 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 46 | 10 | 11 | 32 | 20 | 20 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — |