Beechcraft Baron 55 (1961-1982) vs Cessna 310/320 Skyknight
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
iBeechcraft Baron 55 (1961-1982)
**Which airplane the specifications above describe.** This page covers the whole Baron 55 line, but its frontmatter describes exactly one airplane: the **Model 95-B55 / 95-B55A**, Section VI of FAA TCDS 3A16 Revision 95, **serial TC-955 and up**. That is the longest-produced and by a wide margin the most numerous 55, and every limit above was read off the certificate on 2026-09-06. Every other variant -- the 95-55, the 95-A55, the military 95-B55B, and the 285 hp 95-C55, D55 and E55 -- is a row in the Variants table below with its own certificate figures. If you are looking at one of those, read that row.
- +Affordable entry into twin-engine flying vs. larger Baron 58
- +190 KTAS cruise on economical 260 hp per side
- +Proven 22-year production run; large parts network
- !Twin-engine operating costs (insurance, fuel, dual overhauls) now uncompetitive vs. single-engine alternatives
- !Two $48k engine overhauls are the largest ownership expense; engine hour disparity compounds this
- !Demanding asymmetric thrust handling; single-engine ceiling undocumented—requires AFM data and recurrent training
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 for serious IFR and cross-country missions
- +185 KTAS cruise speed competitive with larger singles and light twins
- +Robust aftermarket support; parts and 310-experienced mechanics widely available
- !High operating costs (~$28 GPH, twin maintenance) make local flying uneconomical
- !Landing gear mis-rigging accounts for ~80% of non-fatal accidents; thorough pre-buy gear inspection mandatory
- !Complex fuel system (up to 8 pumps, 10 drain points) demands precise pilot discipline and familiarity
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