Experiences with Beech Baron 56TC?

[planejanes]

Anyone have any experience with a Turbocharged Baron Model 56TC? 380hp engines! Maintenance nightmare or pure hot rod?

 

[JBcrjca]

Way back in 1990, I ferried airplanes for a dealer in the Dallas area. I was lucky enough to fly two different BE-56TCs. The airplane is an absolute screamer, with the same engines/nacelles as a Duke mounted on a BE-55 airframe. The climb rate was fantastic with just me and full fuel on board. They flew great, just like any Beechcraft...but the visibility to the sides wasn't as good as other Barons due to the huge size of the nacelles.

As far as reliability goes, I had very different experiences with each bird. The first one I ferried from Visalia to Dallas overnight. The engines ran perfectly on the 1st leg to TUS; and since the O2 tank was full and I found a mask on board, I flew the second leg to MAF at FL230. Looking back, I wish I would have climbed up to its FL290 service ceiling, just to say that I'd done it. That was a sweet airplane and a really fun trip.

The second airplane wasn't as sweet. I picked it up in Defiance OH where it had been used very briefly as a freighter. I stopped in CMH (had to interview with U.S. Check don't ya know) and headed for Dallas the next day. Everything was fine until just east of Evansville...the right engine surged and then started spooling down. I tried the boost pump, mixture, throttle, crossfeed, everything I could think of. But since the manifold press and oil press were both headed for the bottom of the gauges, I decided to shut it down and land at EVV. Taxiing on one engine was a bit of a pain, but at least I was on the ground. A mechanic looked at the engine, poked and prodded here and there with a wrench. He couldn't find anything wrong and a runup looked okay, so I launched for Dallas again. Soon after levelling off at cruise alt, the same engine did the exact same thing again. So I shut it down again and returned to EVV for my second single-engine landing in two hours. My boss told me to leave the plane there and airline home for another trip the next day. I never did find out what was wrong with that engine. I guess it got fixed eventually...I just checked the FAA registry and it's with an owner in Jennings LA.

It's still a really cool plane, and if I won a lottery I'd probably go buy one! Sorry for the long ramble though.

 

[bigD]

Sounds like a sweet ride. Do you remember what kind of TAS you were seeing at FL230?

 

[JBcrjca]

I wish I could remember what the exact TAS was, but it's been so long ago. But here's what a dork I am....I tend to save lots of paperwork and stuff from my old flying days, I figure it'll give me something to look at when I'm on my deathbed. I just found my old ferry notebook, and right here is what I filed IFR with...185 kts TAS, I must have pulled that from the POH. I do remember being impressed with a good groundspeed, so I must have also had a good tailwind.

Oh, and the Dali Lama said that when I'm on my deathbed, I will receive total consciousness....so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

JB

 

[Birddog]

I would have to agree that it does tend to take a lot of mx. I had a little bit of time in one a few years ago. It had certainly been neglected. Also, it does like the fuel. Those engines must have a fuel line that is an inch across. Running hard at 12000, I thing I had a TAS of about 200 - 210. The groundspeed was somewhere around 260. There is a lot to like about that.

 

[RockyMnt1]

Baron 56TC

Fast airplane. 40 gal/hr for those thisty engines.
I found that it was loud in the cockpit. You will continously explain to ATC the aircraft designator. "Regular baron with Duke engines. Only 86 were made." The lack of pressurization was a pain considering the fact that FL capability certainly existed. I also was not impressed with the panel erognomics. There were switches located in such a manner that switch labels were not visible. I would recommend a pre oiler. Mx on this particular aircraft was not too bad and it was fairly reliable. Baggage space was adequate.

 

[planejanes]

Does anyone have any idea where I could find some more detailed info on the web or a phone number for someone with experience with these? Just trying to make an informed purchase decision. Comments so far have been excellent and appreciated.

 

[414Flyer]

Yeah I think I have heard those called "monster barons"

Seems they actually sometimes sell for less than other barons, because of the maintanance and fuel costs