Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a high-performance, single‑engine piston aircraft typically used for personal and business travel. It generally carries up to six people including the pilot, and its range is well suited to regional trips, commonly on the order of roughly 700–900 nautical miles depending on power settings, load, and reserves. The Cessna Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop optimized for utility and short/rough-field operations. It is commonly configured for around 9 passengers in commuter service (with other cargo or special-mission layouts), and it typically offers longer legs than many pistons, often roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on configuration and payload. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is an upgraded Caravan variant with more power and improved hot-and-high and payload performance. Passenger capacity is generally similar to the Caravan at about 9 passengers, while range is broadly comparable, often landing in the same approximate 900–1,200 nautical mile class, with real-world differences driven by payload, speed, and operating conditions.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 3.07 | $ 3.15 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | Caravan | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 1070 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.39 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | 3305 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 571 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 186 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $2,355,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | No |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model | IO-550-B | PT6A-114A | PT6A-140 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 3600 | 4000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 675 | 867 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | — | 335 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 24 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 37.6 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 52.1 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.8 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 15 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 32 | 32 |