Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a single‑engine, normally aspirated piston aircraft in the high‑performance personal transport category. It typically carries six people (including the pilot) and offers moderate cross‑country range, generally best suited to regional trips rather than long, high‑altitude legs. The Cessna Turbo Stationair is also a single‑engine piston aircraft, but it emphasizes utility and load flexibility more than speed. It commonly seats six and, with turbocharging, maintains better performance at higher altitudes; its range is broadly comparable to the Bonanza depending on configuration and power settings. The Piper M350 is a pressurized, turbocharged single‑engine piston aircraft aimed at higher‑altitude, all‑weather personal and business travel. It seats six and generally provides longer range and higher cruise efficiency than the Bonanza or Stationair, especially when operating in the mid‑teens to flight levels. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop, positioned above the piston models for speed and capability. It typically seats six and delivers the longest practical range of the four, with strong high‑altitude performance and faster point‑to‑point travel.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Piper M350 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 1.08 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | 206 Turbo Stationair | M350 | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 703 | 1343 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | — | 1308 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 174 | $ 285 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 161 | 213 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $745,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | MID |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-B | TIO-540-AJ1A | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 2000 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 350 | 350 | 500 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 87 | 120 | 170 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 28.3 | 29 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 36 | 43 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.1 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 9.4 | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | 165 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 11 | 20 | 20 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 13 | — |