Beechcraft Baron G58 vs Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair
The Beechcraft Baron G58 is a twin‑engine, high‑performance piston aircraft typically positioned as a fast, business‑oriented cross‑country platform. It generally offers the longest practical range of the three when operated lean and at higher cruise speeds, and it commonly seats about five to six people depending on configuration and loading, with strong climb and redundancy from two engines. The Cessna Skylane (typically the 182 series) is a single‑engine, normally aspirated piston aircraft widely considered a versatile personal and training cross‑country airplane. Its range is usually moderate—often sufficient for regional trips with reserves—and it typically carries four people, with useful load that can become limiting with full fuel. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (often the 206/207 family with turbocharging) is a single‑engine utility aircraft aimed at hauling people and cargo, especially from shorter or higher‑density‑altitude strips. Its turbocharged capability supports better high‑altitude performance and respectable range, and it generally carries six (or more in some variants), making it the capacity leader.
| Spec | Beechcraft Baron G58 | Cessna Skylane | Cessna Turbo Stationair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.72 | $ 1.01 | $ 1.08 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | Baron G58 | 182 Skylane | 206 Turbo Stationair |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1480 | 915 | 703 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.29 | $ 0.25 | $ 0.18 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1450 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 347 | $ 146 | $ 174 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 202 | 145 | 161 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,495,000 | $530,000 | $745,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-C | IO-540-AB1A5 | TIO-540-AJ1A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 300 | 245 | 350 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 194 | 87 | 87 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 29.9 | 29 | 28.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 37.9 | 36 | 36 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 11.2 | 12.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.8 | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 150 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 46 | 32 | 11 |