Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Piper M350 are pressurized (M350) or unpressurized (G36) single‑engine piston aircraft aimed at owner‑pilots, with relatively short to midrange capability and seating generally in the six‑seat class, making them best for small groups and regional trips. The Piper M500 steps up as a single‑engine turboprop, typically still configured around six seats, but with higher cruise speeds and longer practical legs than the piston options, suiting frequent business travel while retaining single‑pilot owner appeal. The Embraer Praetor 500 is in a different category altogether: a super‑midsize business jet designed for corporate missions, usually carrying far more passengers (commonly around eight to nine in typical executive layouts) and delivering substantially greater range, enabling long nonstop flights that exceed what the single‑engine aircraft are built for. In short, G36 and M350 prioritize simplicity and smaller‑party travel, the M500 prioritizes faster and longer single‑engine utility, and the Praetor 500 prioritizes jet performance, higher passenger comfort, and long‑range business connectivity.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Embraer Praetor 500 | Piper M350 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 6.02 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | — | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Embraer | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | Praetor 500 | M350 | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 3340 | 1343 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | — | 1308 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 2,779 | $ 285 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 466 | 213 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $16,995,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Min Crew | — | 2 | — | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | 2 | — | 1 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — | — |
| Connectivity | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.7 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 27110 | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 5800 | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | Yes | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-B | HTF7500E | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | On-Condition | 2000 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | — | 350 | 500 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | — | 120 | 170 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 18 | — | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6540 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 64.6 | 29 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 70.5 | 43 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 6.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 20.6 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 21.1 | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | 165 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 40 | 20 | 20 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | — | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.7 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17.4 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 110 | 13 | — |