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6 people in an A36?

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Groundpounder

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
704
I heard that you can't put 6 adults in an A36 Bonanza, even if you had the useful load, due to CG restrictions. Is that true?
 
Fuel Burn Problem

As I recall, if you manage to pack 6 adults into the Bonanza and are somehow still within the CG envelope, you need to recheck the numbers with near empty tanks to make sure you will still be in at the end of the flight. The fuel tanks are slightly forward of the CG and the rear seats are way aft, so the CG shifts rearward as you burn off fuel. Most light AC have the fuel tanks right on the CG so using fuel doesn't move the CG.

Hope that helps.
 
You sure can. The Bonanza is arguable the best single engine piston a/c in it’s class. Power, speed, and payload. I don’t have a poh to give you exact numbers, but you can put 6 in a Bonanza (BTW I would not put the big guys in the back...). Granted you don’t have room for many bags, let alone heavy bags. It’s great when you want to go on a day trip. You can put 4 adults and bags comfortable for a weekend trip.
 
Obviously depends on the weight of pax. To avoid embaressment the pilot/front pax have to be up front before the last rear pax or 2 get in. It'll be a taildragger for sure. Make sure the rear paxs knows how to close and lock the door.
 
Depends on the weights of the pax as stated by the previous poster. I can recall being able to do this on a few occasions. The A-36 is probably the best single in it's class ever built, sure do miss that airplane.

3 5 0
 
350 your right LOL but lets take a look at some of the numbers
I have no idea what year this is but here is some book numbers i got off myairplane
Engine: CONT IO-520-B75% Cruise: 168 ktsWingspan: 33.50 ftHorsepower: 285Stall: 52 ktsLength: 27.50 ftRec'md TBO: 1700 hrsRange: 697 nmHeight: 8.42 ftSrv Ceiling: 16600 ftEmpty Wt: 2195 lbsMax Fuel: 74 galRate of Climb: 1030 ft/minGross Wt: 3600 lbsTakeoff (over 50 ft obstacle): 2040 ftLanding (over 50 ft obstacle): 1450 ftTakeoff: 1140 ftLanding: 840 ft

here is for the comanche
Engine: LYC O-540-A1A5

75% Cruise: 157 ktsWingspan: 36.00 ftHorsepower: 250Stall: 56 ktsLength: 24.75 ftRec'md TBO: 2000 hrsRange: 785 nmHeight: 7.25 ftSrv Ceiling: 22000 ftEmpty Wt: 1600 lbsMax Fuel: 60 galRate of Climb: 1400 ft/minGross Wt: 2800 lbsTakeoff (over 50 ft obstacle): 1650 ftLanding (over 50 ft obstacle): 1025 ftTakeoff: 750 ftLanding: 650 ft
most have 90gal of fuel, i get 160kts cruise
So take it for whats its worth

But with the newer BO's are alot nicer then the comanche, I am flying a Poor mans bonanza!!!! (i think thats what they call the com)

But put a PA24-400 and a A36 I would take the 400 anyday
 
The A-36 that I use to fly had the I0-550-B 300 HP engine in it. I am pretty sure the MTOW was right around 3650lbs with a Max ramp being 3663lbs. Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. 74 gallons usable fuel will take you places. Of all the single engine aircraft that I have flown to date I don't think any have been even comparable to the A-36.

The V-35 also was a pretty "respectable" bird in my opinion, the one inparticular that Fletcher had KHOU had the I0-550 in it as well.

I can understand your bias being that you own the one but I still wouldn't take any single over the A-36 unless it was a Malibu or Pilatus.:D

I am happy that you are able to build your flight time up and get some experience at such a young age, best of luck to you. I also got started while young and in high school.

3 5 0

Mr. Castle, any comments on your pride and joy?:D
 
ah, the venerable Banana. ive got a buttload of hours in all of them but for the TC. i wish i could rememeber the numbers, but thats was many airplanes ago now and all i can recall was full tanks allowed 600 pounds of cargo...but i wouldnt hesitate to put 6 people in one any day of the week, especially against the PA400. we had one come thru many moons ago and although it was fun to look at, i think it was the airplane that actaully coined the term "hanger queen" :rolleyes:
 
It seems 350 must've worked/attended MAPD.

And he's right, I've flown a lot of different singles and the A36 is by far the best of the bunch when you take every aspect into consideration. Sorta like the King Air's, it doesn't do anything outstanding but it does everything well - more than any single piston can say.

And if I had to choose a single, I'd go with the TBM 700. I've flown the pilatus (ok, 1 flight!) and it was roomy but just didn't have the speed. Reminded me of a truck.

~wheelsup
 
wheelsup said:
And if I had to choose a single, I'd go with the TBM 700. I've flown the pilatus (ok, 1 flight!) and it was roomy but just didn't have the speed. Reminded me of a truck.
well dam, the cabin is TWICE as big (155 cu ft vs. 330 cu ft) and a measley ~20 knot difference...being a bit finicky arent we?!? i mean lets be honest, when were talking almost 300 knots, 20 more aint gonna do a whole lot for ya ;)
 
wheelsup said:
It seems 350 must've worked/attended MAPD.

And he's right, I've flown a lot of different singles and the A36 is by far the best of the bunch when you take every aspect into consideration. Sorta like the King Air's, it doesn't do anything outstanding but it does everything well - more than any single piston can say.

And if I had to choose a single, I'd go with the TBM 700. I've flown the pilatus (ok, 1 flight!) and it was roomy but just didn't have the speed. Reminded me of a truck.

~wheelsup
Oh jeezus...yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. Nobody asked you "If I had to choose a single". The guy was asking for information about wt and balance on the Bonanza, not about the two flights you rode in an owner flown aircraft holding jep manuals for the pilot, working the radios and logging part 91 SIC time in a single engine airplane.
 
FN FAL said:
Oh jeezus...yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. Nobody asked you "If I had to choose a single". The guy was asking for information about wt and balance on the Bonanza, not about the two flights you rode in an owner flown aircraft holding jep manuals for the pilot, working the radios and logging part 91 SIC time in a single engine airplane.
What an @ss. It's called making conversation. Apparently you like killing it.

Guess what, it wasn't owner flown. And no I didn't log the time. I though it was interesting to be in a larger aircraft than a light single for once. You were there once I suspect...

~wheelsup
 
wheelsup said:
It seems 350 must've worked/attended MAPD.

And he's right, I've flown a lot of different singles and the A36 is by far the best of the bunch when you take every aspect into consideration. Sorta like the King Air's, it doesn't do anything outstanding but it does everything well - more than any single piston can say.

And if I had to choose a single, I'd go with the TBM 700. I've flown the pilatus (ok, 1 flight!) and it was roomy but just didn't have the speed. Reminded me of a truck.

~wheelsup
wheelsup,

Never worked or attended the MAPD program, just have always been a "fan" of what Castle and company have been able to accomplish and the turn out of quality and safe pilots that are airline safe at low total flight hours. Quite a few friends went through the program back in the mid to late 90's who have since moved on to greener pastures flying the bigger and heavier equipment. I don't think I could have taken JO for any extended period of time.

The TBM 700 is also a nice bird, if only I could hit the lotto.

3 5 0
 
For what its worth, if you install the 15 gal. Osbourne Tip Tanks on the A-36, you will get a gross weight increase that DOESN't have to be fuel. I believe that it increases the useful load about 150 lbs. AFTER installation. Definately worth the money.

Also, BLR vortex generators are about to be approved for the gross weight increase. A bit less expense than the tip tanks but the extra gas is probably worth more.
 
wheelsup said:
What an @ss. It's called making conversation. Apparently you like killing it.

Guess what, it wasn't owner flown. And no I didn't log the time. I though it was interesting to be in a larger aircraft than a light single for once. You were there once I suspect...

~wheelsup
I AM an ass...but that's beside the point. Comparing a three million dollar, pressurized, turbine aircraft to a Bonanza, doesn't even make sense.

In fact, comparing a PC-12 to a TBM-700, doesn't make sense. You can't put 8 people in a TBM-700 and you can't drop paratroopers or skydivers out of a TBM-700. Another apples and oranges comparison.
 
The biggest problem you'll run into with club seating in a Bonanza, Barron or Seneca, is when you are flying 4 total. Nobody wants to sit seated backwards to begin with and it's always the lard ass men that win against the ladies when it comes to who is going to sit in back and who is going to take the aft facing seats, when flying 6 total.

6 total in a Bonanza? Does it have a nose locker or storage behind the engine like a Cherokee Six? If you can put some weight forward in the nose locker, you will probably find a wt and balance that works for you in the Bonanza. If not...well then I guess the Bonanza isn't all what "weelsup" said it was.

I have flown six total in a Cherokee Six 260 hp...and it likes it just fine...even when fat ass in the back is nicknamed "tiny".
 
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