What is the difference between the V-tail Bonanza and the A36?

The V-tail Bonanza (Model 35 / V35, 1947–1982) carries the type's distinctive ruddervator empennage handling combined yaw and pitch authority. The A36 (1968–present) is the conventional-tail six-seat development with a stretched fuselage and aft cargo doors, the configuration that has dominated production since the V-tail line ended in 1982. The current G36 is the Garmin G1000 NXi-equipped production variant of the A36.

The Bonanza / Baron Pilot Proficiency Program is a recurring training programme operated by the American Bonanza Society (ABS) covering the Bonanza V-tail, A36, G36, and Baron 55 / 58 variants. BPPP is factory-aligned and many insurance underwriters require BPPP currency before issuing coverage on the type. Annual programmes combine ground school with instructor-led flight proficiency work.

Is the Beechcraft Bonanza a complex aircraft?

Yes. All Bonanza variants have retractable gear, a constant-speed propeller, and adjustable flaps — meeting the FAR 61.31 complex definition. The 300 hp Continental IO-550-B in current production also places the type in the FAR 61.31 high-performance category, so both endorsements are required to act as PIC.

Is the Beechcraft Bonanza still in production?

Yes. Textron Aviation continues to build new Bonanza G36 airframes at the Beechcraft factory in Wichita, Kansas. The Bonanza is the longest continuously-produced GA aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 1947.

Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)

Bonanza family (35 V-tail / A36 / G36)

Single-engine piston · Trainer and personal aircraft · Pre-1980 classic

Power: 300 hp
Cruise: 176 kt
MTOW: 3,650 lb
Range: 1014 nm
Fuel: 100LL avgas

🇺🇸Specs shown in Imperial.

Performance

Cruise speed (Vc)176 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne)205 kt
Stall (landing config) (Vs0)59 kt
Climb rate1,230 fpm
Service ceiling18,500 ft
Range1,014 nm
Endurance6 h
Takeoff roll1,390 ft
Landing roll1,110 ft

Weights

MTOW3,650 lb
Empty weight2,360 lb
Useful load1,290 lb
Baggage capacity270 lb

Dimensions

Wingspan33.5 ft
Length27.5 ft
Height8.6 ft
Cabin width42 in

Powerplant

EngineContinental IO-550-B — 300 hp · 100LL · 16.5 gph
Total horsepower300 hp
Primary fuel100LL avgas
Unleaded pathG100UL eligible (STC available)

Cockpit & avionics

Cockpit typeglass
Autopilot commonly availableYes
Typical packages
- Garmin G1000 NXi— modern (current G36 production)
- Garmin G500 / G3X retrofits— common modern retrofit on V-tail / A36
- Six-pack analog with KFC-150— 1970s–1990s airframes as delivered

Certification

RegulatoryFAR Part 23 (CAR 3 origin) · EASA CS-23
Certified rolesNormal category
IFRYes
Spin approvedNo
Aerobatic-categoryNo
TailwheelNo
Complex (FAR 61.31)Yes
High-performance (FAR 61.31)Yes

Why is the Bonanza family (35 V-tail / A36 / G36) popular?

Structured popularity-driver evidence. Each axis below carries one factual statement; we don't grade, the facts speak.

Production volume

Approximately 17,000 Bonanza airframes built across the V-tail and A36 / G36 lines since 1947 — the longest continuous production run of any post-war GA aircraft.

Regulatory fit

Retractable gear, constant-speed propeller, and 300 hp IO-550-B place the Bonanza in both the FAR 61.31 complex and high-performance categories — both endorsements required to act as PIC.

Industry network effects

Bonanza / Baron Pilot Proficiency Program (BPPP) is a factory-aligned recurring training programme operated by the American Bonanza Society; many insurance underwriters require BPPP completion before issuing coverage on the type.

Parts and MRO ecosystem

Textron Aviation provides factory production and rebuild support; the American Bonanza Society and BeechTalk forums supply deep independent maintenance practice and parts knowledge.

Fuel future-proofing

Continental IO-550-B is on Continental's list of engines compatible with G100UL once supply is regional, giving the Bonanza fleet a path off 100LL without engine swap.

Before you buy more aircraft

The next airframe is rarely the highest-leverage move.

Flight school revenue is a function of three things — utilisation, dispatch reliability, and student progression — that multiply rather than add. Most schools running below 850 hours per aircraft per year have hidden capacity worth more than the next purchase, already paid for and sitting on the ramp.

Read: Why buying more aircraft probably won't grow your school

Operations

Record hours, no profit

Where margin actually leaks when the schedule looks full.

Strategy

The three hurdles to profitability

The structural barriers most expansion plans miss.

How flight schools track this aircraft in Aviatize

Schools running Bonanzas for the complex / high-performance block typically configure each airframe in Aviatize with engine reserves against the Continental IO-550-B 1,700-hour TBO, propeller overhaul cycles tracked separately, and gear-actuator and rigging cycles as separate maintenance items. The complex and high-performance endorsement requirements are modelled as per-pilot validation rules that gate booking creation if the endorsement is missing. Insurance-required BPPP currency is commonly tracked alongside.

schedulingtraining managementaircraft maintenancebilling

Editorial confidence

High confidenceLast reviewed 2026-05-05

3 primary sources cited (POH / TCDS / type-club). Spec data and regulatory positioning are well-attributed; narrative synthesis is editorial.

Sources

Primary sources are POH / TCDS / manufacturer pages; derived sources record where Aviatize editorial synthesis is layered on top.

Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Textron Aviation (Beechcraft)
https://beechcraft.txtav.com/
Beechcraft Bonanza G36 product page.
Primary sourceFAA TCDS·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/A-777
FAA TCDS A-777 covers Bonanza A36 / G36 variants.
Primary sourceType Club·Retrieved 2026-05-05
American Bonanza Society
https://www.bonanza.org/
American Bonanza Society — runs the Bonanza / Baron Pilot Proficiency Program (BPPP).
Editorial synthesisAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Aviatize editorial
Entry authored by Aviatize from accumulated industry knowledge cross-referenced against the primary sources cited above. Specific fleet figures, fleet wins, and recent production status changes are research-backlog candidates and should be verified against primary sources before flipping verified: true.

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