Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Piper Seminole
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Cessna Turbo Stationair sit in the high-performance, complex single-engine piston category, while the Cessna Skyhawk is the archetypal training and personal touring aircraft, and the Piper Arrow is a step-up “complex” retractable-gear trainer and cross-country cruiser. In range, the Skyhawk and Arrow are typically mid-range travelers suited to regional trips, with the Arrow generally a bit faster and often comparable or slightly better in practical cross-country reach depending on model and power setting. The Bonanza G36 commonly offers longer, more capable cross-country range than the Skyhawk and Arrow, reflecting its higher cruise speeds and larger fuel capacity. The Turbo Stationair, with turbocharging, is oriented toward carrying capability and maintaining performance at altitude, and its range is generally competitive for longer legs, especially when optimized for cruise. For passenger capacity, the Skyhawk and Arrow are four-seat aircraft, whereas the Bonanza G36 is a six-seat aircraft, and the Turbo Stationair typically provides six seats with the strongest emphasis on useful load and cabin volume.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 0.95 | $ 1.08 | $ 1.36 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | 172 Skyhawk | 206 Turbo Stationair | Arrow |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 640 | 703 | 700 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.24 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.23 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | — | — | 1191 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 118 | $ 174 | $ 221 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 124 | 161 | 162 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $415,000 | $745,000 | $765,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-B | IO-360-L2A | TIO-540-AJ1A | O-360-AIH6 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 300 | 200 | 350 | 180 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Carbureted |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 42 | 87 | 108 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 27.2 | 28.3 | 27.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 36.1 | 36 | 38.6 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4 | 4.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 11.9 | 12.1 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 9 | 9.4 | 8.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 30 | 11 | — |