Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs Piper M350
The Cessna Turbo Stationair (typically the turbocharged 206 class) is best viewed as a utility-oriented, high-wing aircraft optimized for hauling people and cargo into shorter or rougher strips. It generally offers the most practical cabin volume and payload flexibility, usually seating up to six, with typical cruise ranges that tend to be in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles depending heavily on load, power settings, and reserves. The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is a premium piston single focused on speed, refinement, and cross-country efficiency. It is also commonly configured for six seats, but with more emphasis on comfort and performance than bulky cargo, and it typically delivers longer legs and higher cruise speeds than a Stationair-type aircraft. The Piper M350 is a pressurized, cabin-class piston single aimed at higher-altitude, weather-capable travel and passenger comfort. It seats six, but is most compelling as a four- to five-person traveling machine with baggage, and it generally offers the longest effective range of the three, with the added benefit of pressurization for smoother, higher cruising.
| Spec | Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Piper M350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.16 | $ 1.08 | $ 1.34 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Bonanza G36 | 206 Turbo Stationair | M350 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 703 | 1343 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.19 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.22 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1050 | — | 1308 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 204 | $ 174 | $ 285 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 176 | 161 | 213 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $925,000 | $745,000 | $1,195,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-B | TIO-540-AJ1A | TIO-540-AE2A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 300 | 350 | 350 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 74 | 87 | 120 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 27.5 | 28.3 | 29 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 33.5 | 36 | 43 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.1 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.6 | 9.4 | 11.4 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 100 | — | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 11 | 20 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 13 |