Beechcraft · 1979–2002
Beechcraft Bonanza A36TC/B36TC (1979-2002)
iSpecifications
Cruise
205KTAS
Range
900nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
1230lbs
Full-fuel payload
618lbs
Fuel Burn
17gph
Fuel Cap.
102gal
MPG
13.9mpg
Stall (Vs0)
58KIAS
T/O roll
1200ft
Ldg roll
640ft
Power
300hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$360k
Range
$220k – $580k
Annual all-in
~$30k/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 (17 gph)
- $11,050
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $4,143
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $14,807
- Total per year
- $30,000
- Per flight hour
- $300
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 23,591 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.27/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
- FL200+ capability with 205 KTAS cruise — rare in 6-seat single-engine class
- B36TC wing (1982+) adds 22 gal fuel capacity and extends range to 900 NM
- Garrett automatic wastegate TSIO-520-UB is reliable, well-supported engine
- Larger useful load and 6-seat comfort for high-altitude cross-country
Weaknesses
- Turbocharger overhaul ($5k–$10k) and cylinder management demand significantly higher maintenance than NA A36
- TSIO-520-UB runs hot; CHTs above 400°F shorten cylinder life — requires engine monitor and disciplined lean-of-peak operation
- TBO only 1,400 hrs (300 hrs less than NA A36); field overhaul $55k–$70k vs $45k–$55k for NA
- B36TC wet-wing tanks (30–40 years old) prone to seam leaks; pressure-test critical on pre-buy
Overview
The 1979 Beechcraft A36TC introduced the turbocharged variant of the A36 -- combining the 6-seat cabin, club seating, and cargo door of the A36 with a Continental TSIO-520 turbocharged engine producing 300 HP to flight-level altitudes. The B36TC (1982-2002) refined the design with longer wingspan, larger fuel capacity (102 gallons), and improved cooling, becoming the most capable Bonanza ever produced for high-altitude cross-country missions.
Approximately 270 A36TCs (1979-1981) and 1,100 B36TCs (1982-2002) were produced. The B36TC was discontinued in 2002 as Beechcraft consolidated production around the standard A36; no turbocharged Bonanza has been offered since.
The A36TC/B36TC trades $60,000-$120,000 above an equivalent NA A36. The premium buys high-altitude capability (essential for over-the-top weather, Western US terrain operations, and FL180+ business travel), 30+ KTAS faster cruise at altitude, and meaningfully better hot-and-high performance. Trade-offs: significantly higher overhaul cost (turbocharger adds $13,000-$18,000), more demanding cylinder management, and reduced useful load (-85 lbs vs A36).
Variants & History
Distinguishing Features (vs A36 NA and B36TC)
| Feature | A36 (NA) | A36TC (1979-1981) | B36TC (1982-2002) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | IO-520-B/BA or IO-550-B | TSIO-520-UB 300 HP | TSIO-520-UB 300 HP |
| Turbocharger | None | Single turbocharger | Single turbocharger |
| Wingspan | 33'6" | 33'6" | 37'10" (+4'4") |
| Fuel capacity | 80 gal | 80 gal | 102 gal (+22) |
| Range | 920 NM | 850 NM | 900 NM |
| Service ceiling | 18,500 ft | 25,000 ft (+6,500) | 25,000 ft |
| Cruise (sea level) | 176 KTAS | 180 KTAS | 180 KTAS |
| Cruise (FL200) | N/A (NA loses power) | 205 KTAS | 205 KTAS |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,400 hrs (-300) | 1,400 hrs |
| Field overhaul | $45,000-$55,000 | $55,000-$70,000 | $55,000-$70,000 |
The B36TC Wing Extension
The 1982 B36TC introduced a 4'4" wingspan increase (33'6" → 37'10") -- the largest single airframe change in the 36-series Bonanza line. Combined effects:
- Fuel capacity: 80 → 102 gallons (+22 gallons in wet wing)
- Climb rate at altitude: significantly improved (lower wing loading)
- Range: 850 → 900 NM (more fuel, better cruise efficiency)
- Cruise altitude flexibility: Better high-altitude L/D
- Slow-speed manners: Reduced stall speed (Vs0 56 KIAS vs 58 KIAS on shorter wing)
- Roll response: Slightly heavier on roll axis (more wing inertia)
The B36TC wing is the most capable Bonanza wing ever produced. The trade-off was modest -- slightly slower roll response and 200 lbs additional empty weight from the extended structure.
Performance
205 KTAS cruise at FL200 (75% power), 1,175 FPM sea-level climb, 17.0 GPH at max cruise. Service ceiling 25,000 ft (most pilots operate FL170-200 due to oxygen workload).
Real-world cross-country at FL200:
- Two adults + 102 gal fuel: 1,100+ NM range with 45-min reserves
- Four adults + 75 gal fuel: 850 NM range
- Six adults + 60 gal fuel: 620 NM range
1998 Beechcraft Bonanza A36
GTN 750 · GFC 500 · Mid-Time IO-550 · No Damage
Maintenance & Support
The TSIO-520-UB is a 520 cubic inch, six-cylinder, fuel-injected, turbocharged Continental engine producing 300 HP at 2,700 RPM. The turbocharger is a Garrett unit with an automatic wastegate (improvement over earlier manual-wastegate TSIO-520 variants). TBO 1,400 hours.
Operating considerations:
- Cylinder management: TSIO-520-UB runs hot. CHTs above 400°F shorten cylinder life rapidly.
- Cool-down time: Required 3-5 minute cool-down after high-power flight.
- Lean-of-peak operation: Strongly preferred for cylinder longevity. Most B36TCs in current service have aftermarket engine monitors (JPI, EI) for real-time CHT/EGT data.
- Top overhauls: Common at 800-1,200 hours.
Field overhaul: $55,000-$70,000 (includes turbocharger overhaul). Factory reman: $68,000-$82,000.
Valuation Factors
| Variant | Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| A36TC | Flying but tired | $180,000-$240,000 |
| A36TC | Well-maintained | $230,000-$320,000 |
| B36TC | Flying but tired (1982-1990) | $230,000-$310,000 |
| B36TC | Well-maintained (1982-1990) | $290,000-$390,000 |
| B36TC | Late production (1995-2002) | $380,000-$520,000 |
| B36TC | Restored / modern panel | $460,000-$620,000 |
B36TCs trade $60,000-$120,000 above equivalent NA A36s due to turbo capability + longer wing + larger fuel. Late B36TCs (1998-2002) trade highest due to "last turbo Bonanza" status.
2002 Beechcraft Baron 58
G500 TXi · GTN 750 · Known-Ice · Air Conditioning
ADs & Common Problems
A36 universal concerns apply. TC-specific:
- Turbocharger condition: Inspect for shaft play, oil seepage, blade damage. Turbo replacement: $5,000-$10,000.
- Cylinder CHT history: Review engine monitor data for CHT excursions above 400°F. Recurring high CHTs suggest cylinder problems ahead.
- Exhaust system condition: Turbo exhausts run hotter and crack more frequently. Inspect for cracks, weeping, weld failures.
- Wastegate operation: Verify smooth wastegate operation through full power range. Wastegate overhaul: $1,500-$3,000.
- B36TC wing fuel tank condition: Larger wet-wing tanks aged 30-40 years can develop seam leaks. Pressure-test during pre-buy.
- Cool-down practice: Review pilot reports for consistent 3-5 minute cool-down. Aircraft with inconsistent cool-down practice have shorter turbo life.
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