Beechcraft Baron 55 (1961-1982) vs Cessna 310/320 Skyknight
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
iBeechcraft Baron 55 (1961-1982)
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.
- +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
- !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
Cessna 310/320 Skyknight
The Cessna 310 is Cessna's first twin-engine production aircraft and one of the most recognizable piston twins ever built, defined by its distinctive swept tail and signature wingtip fuel tanks — the "tuna tanks" on early models, replaced with canted stabila-tip tanks from the 310G onward. Produced from 1955 through 1980 with over 5,700 airframes completed, the 310 established Cessna as a serious contender in the light twin market and served as the foundation for all of Cessna's subsequent twin-engine designs.
- +Twin-engine redundancy and IFR capability for serious cross-country work
- +185 KTAS cruise speed competitive with Beechcraft Baron and Piper Seneca
- +Robust aftermarket support and 310-experienced mechanics widely available
- !Landing gear system prone to mis-rigging; 80% of accidents involve gear issues requiring expert pre-buy inspection
- !Complex fuel system with eight pumps and ten drain points demands precise pilot management
- !Aging rubber bladder tanks (15–20 year lifespan) are expensive to replace across multiple tank assemblies
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