Beechcraft · 1961–1982
Beechcraft Baron 55 (1961-1982)
Specifications
Cruise
195KTAS
Range
870nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
2090lbs
Full-fuel payload
1,274lbs
Fuel Burn
24gph
Fuel Cap.
136gal
MPG
9.4mpg
Stall (Vs0)
71KIAS
T/O roll
1100ft
Ldg roll
800ft
Power
520hp
Engine
piston twin
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$165k
Range
$110k – $285k
Annual all-in
~$35k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (24 gph)
- $15,600
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $5,294
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $14,106
- Total per year
- $35,000
- Per flight hour
- $350
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 22,440 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.56/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- Most-produced Beechcraft twin with robust 22-year production run (3,800 built)
- Twin-engine capability with strong climb performance (1,670–1,790 FPM)
- Affordable entry point for twin-engine ownership vs. larger 58 series
- Proven Continental IO-470/IO-520 engines with mature support ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Twin-engine operating costs (fuel, insurance, two overhaul cycles) now less competitive vs. single-engine high-performance alternatives
- Demanding single-engine handling and low single-engine ceiling (7,200 ft); requires proficiency
- Single left-side cabin door limits loading flexibility vs. cargo-door competitors
- Vulnerable to spar carry-through corrosion, especially coastal aircraft
Overview
The 1961-1982 Beechcraft Baron 55 is the twin-engine version of the Bonanza 33 airframe -- fuselage derived from the conventional-tail Debonair/33 with two Continental IO-470 or IO-520 engines on a strengthened wing. The Baron 55 series (B55 through E55) was Beechcraft's high-performance light twin entry, competing against the Cessna 310 and Piper Aztec for the 1960s-1970s business-travel market.
Approximately 3,800 Baron 55s were built across the 22-year production run, making this the most produced Beechcraft twin by volume. The line was succeeded in the marketplace by the slightly larger 58 series (1970+), but Baron 55s remained in production through 1982 due to continued demand for the more affordable variant.
Variants & History
| Variant | Years | Engine | HP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95-55 | 1961-1963 | Continental IO-470-L | 260 each | Original Baron |
| A55 | 1962-1963 | Continental IO-470-L | 260 each | Refinements |
| B55 | 1964-1982 | Continental IO-470-L | 260 each | Longest production -- most common |
| C55 | 1966-1967 | Continental IO-520-C | 285 each | First 285 HP Baron |
| D55 | 1968-1969 | Continental IO-520-C | 285 each | Refinements |
| E55 | 1970-1982 | Continental IO-520-C | 285 each | Final 55-series variant |
The B55 is by far the most common Baron 55 on the resale market (approximately 1,900 of the 3,800 total produced).
1998 Beechcraft Bonanza A36
GTN 750 · GFC 500 · Mid-Time IO-550 · No Damage
Performance
Representative B55 (IO-470-L 260 HP per side):
- Cruise: 190 KTAS at 7,500 ft (75% power)
- Climb: 1,670 FPM at gross
- Single-engine ceiling: 7,200 ft
- Fuel burn: 24 GPH cruise (12 GPH per side)
- Range: 870 NM
- Useful load: 2,090 lbs
C55/D55/E55 with IO-520 produces 195 KTAS cruise, 1,790 FPM climb, and 26 GPH at the cost of higher fuel and slightly less useful load.
2002 Beechcraft Baron 58
G500 TXi · GTN 750 · Known-Ice · Air Conditioning
Valuation Factors
| Variant | Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| B55 (260 HP) | Flying but tired | $90,000-$135,000 |
| B55 (260 HP) | Well-maintained | $135,000-$210,000 |
| C55/D55/E55 (285 HP) | Flying but tired | $115,000-$165,000 |
| C55/D55/E55 (285 HP) | Well-maintained | $165,000-$250,000 |
| Late E55 (1978-1982) | Well-maintained | $200,000-$285,000 |
Twin Baron prices have flattened since 2022 -- twin-engine piston operating costs (insurance, fuel, two cylinder sets to overhaul) make twins less appealing as single-engine alternatives like the Cessna T210, Piper Saratoga, and Cirrus SR22 close the cabin/range gap.
ADs & Common Problems
Universal twin pre-buy concerns apply. Baron 55-specific:
- Engine matching and hour disparity: Both engines should ideally be similar TBO position. Significant disparity (e.g., one at 800 hours and one at 200 hours since overhaul) suggests operational issues or unbalanced maintenance.
- Continental IO-470/IO-520 cylinder condition: Borescope inspection of all 12 cylinders essential.
- Cabin door and structure: The 55 series has a single left-side cabin door (no cargo door like the 58). Verify door operation, latching, and hinge condition.
- AD 2002-26-04 (forward bulkhead): Applies to Baron 55s; verify compliance.
- Spar carry-through corrosion: Twin wing spar carry-through is a stressed structure -- coastal aircraft especially vulnerable to hidden corrosion.
- Asymmetric thrust handling: Verify recent training/proficiency. Baron 55 Vmc handling is challenging in single-engine emergencies.
For sale (0)
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