Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Piper Seminole vs Piper Seneca
The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a high-performance, single‑engine piston aircraft typically positioned as an upscale personal and business traveler. It generally offers seating for about six, with range commonly around 700–900 nautical miles depending on power settings, fuel, and payload. The Piper Arrow is also a single‑engine piston airplane but sits a step below in performance and cabin size. It is most often configured for four seats and is frequently used for training and personal travel. Its typical range is shorter than the Bonanza’s, often roughly 500–700 nautical miles depending on variant and operating conditions. The Piper Seneca is a light twin‑engine piston aircraft aimed at adding redundancy, payload flexibility, and multi‑engine capability for personal, business, and some utility missions. Most configurations seat six, similar to the Bonanza, but with twin‑engine operating costs. Its range is commonly in the same broad band as the Bonanza, often about 700–900 nautical miles, varying significantly with model, load, and cruise settings.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Piper Arrow | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 1.36 | $ 1.69 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | Arrow | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 700 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.23 | $ 0.28 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | 1191 | 1331 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 221 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 162 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $765,000 | $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 | O-360-AIH6 | TSIO-360-RB |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 1800 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 180 | 220 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Carbureted | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 108 | 122 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 27.6 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 38.6 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 8.5 | 10 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — | — |