Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Piper Seneca
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a high-performance, single-engine piston aircraft typically positioned as a premium personal or business traveler. It generally carries up to six people including the pilot, and its range is usually in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles, often around 700–900 nm depending on power settings, payload, and reserves. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (commonly the turbocharged 206) is a single-engine utility aircraft optimized for load-carrying and short, practical missions, with flexible seating that can accommodate up to six. Its range is broadly comparable to the Bonanza in typical cruise planning, often roughly 600–800 nm, but it tends to trade speed for useful load and versatility. The Piper Seneca is a light twin-engine piston aircraft aimed at added redundancy and multi-engine capability. It typically seats six to seven depending on configuration, and its range is commonly similar or slightly greater than the singles, often about 700–1,000 nm, with real-world results heavily dependent on fuel, altitudes, and payload.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 1.08 | $ 1.69 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | 206 Turbo Stationair | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 703 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.28 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | — | 1331 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 174 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 161 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $745,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-B | TIO-540-AJ1A | TSIO-360-RB |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 1800 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 350 | 220 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 87 | 122 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 28.3 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 36 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.6 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.1 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 9.4 | 10 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 11 | — |