Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Beechcraft King Air 260
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a single‑engine piston aircraft in the high‑performance personal and business travel category, while the Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop aimed at corporate, charter, and utility missions with greater payload and systems capability. In range, the Bonanza G36 is typically suited to regional trips and shorter cross‑countries, whereas the King Air 260 generally offers longer practical trip capability and more flexibility when carrying more people and baggage, thanks to higher cruise speeds and turbine performance. For passenger capacity, the Bonanza G36 is commonly configured for up to six occupants including the pilot, making it ideal for small groups or family/business travel. The King Air 260 is usually configured for about eight to nine passengers in addition to crew (depending on interior and regulations), better matching small charter or larger business teams. Overall, the G36 emphasizes simplicity and lower operating complexity, while the 260 emphasizes multi‑engine turbine capability, cabin comfort, and operational versatility.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Beechcraft King Air 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 4.30 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | KingAir 250 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 1420 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.72 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | 3760 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 1,333 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 310 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $6,450,000 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 8 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Flushing |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 8 |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 15293 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | No | Yes |
| Model | IO-550-B | PT6A-52 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 850 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 544 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 37 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 43.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 57.9 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 16.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 14.8 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 55 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 16.7 |