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 pistonTrainer and personal aircraftPre-1980 classicin production

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

Reference data only — never for flight planning or operational use.

This entry is a fleet-research reference for flight school operators. Always consult the actual aircraft's POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook), the manufacturer's latest service documents, and the relevant FAA / EASA TCDS for any operational decision — flight planning, weight and balance, performance calculations, fuel loading, regulatory compliance, or maintenance scheduling. Numbers shown here are POH-typical for the family's representative variant under standard conditions and are not a substitute for type- and airframe-specific data.

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.

View 3 disclaimers specific to this entry

Performance data
Reference data only — never use this entry for flight planning, weight and balance, performance calculations, fuel loading, or any operational decision. Numbers shown are POH-typical for the family's representative variant and standard conditions. Real-world numbers vary by airframe age, weight, density altitude, engine condition, and configuration. Always consult the actual aircraft's POH and the manufacturer's latest service documents.
Cost data
Cost ranges are illustrative reference figures for fleet planning. Actual acquisition, rental, and operating costs vary substantially by region, airframe age, engine and avionics generation, and local market conditions. Numbers should be validated against current quotes from local brokers, schools, and maintenance providers before any commercial decision.
Operator list
Operator lists capture schools and programmes we know to fly the type at scale. Lists are not exhaustive, may include operators that have changed fleets since publication, and should be treated as starting points for verification rather than current customer lists.

🇺🇸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.

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

Sources

Provenance for the data on this entry. 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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