One of the all-time greats of pilot-owned airplanes has embarked on a new chapter in its history. Raytheon’s Beechcraft Bonanza, which first saw the light of day in 1947, has now become the first piston single to feature a fully integrated avionics system.
Beechcraft president Randy Groom, himself a Bonanza owner and enthusiast, announced the introduction of the six-seat Bonanza G36 at NBAA and said the move was one that would see a significant safety improvement for owners and operators.
The G36 features Garmin’s G1000 integrated avionics system – the same as would be found on the new Cessna Citation Mustang – and includes Garmin’s recently certified GFC700 autopilot.
The first three deliveries took place in Wichita, Kansas last Friday as Raytheon executives prepared to leave for NBAA. “We were working the line right through the certification process so as soon as that was complete we were ready to start deliveries,” Groom says.
Groom says the response among customers has been great. “I have flown the aircraft myself and words literally cannot express how exciting this is to fly.”
The new avionics include a primary flight display on large 10in (250mm) screens. The multi-function display (MFD) combines engine instruments, terrain, navigation and autopilot controls.
It also has dual integrated radio units with IFR approved GPS, VHF navigation with ILS approaches and VHF communications. To cap this there is also weather datalink and a digital audio system.
“The beauty is that all of this is from one company and it is all integrated” says Groom. “These functions will improve the situational awareness for pilots. A pilot can see storms coming 500 miles (800km) away; with terrain and traffic awareness too this is a great move for aircraft in this category.”
The Beechcraft twin-engined six-seater Baron is also being equipped with the G1000 suite and will become the Beechcraft Baron G58 once certification is complete.
Groom says the whole Beechcraft business is booming with increased orders and developments. With upgrades on King Air and last month’s certification of the Premier 1A business jet, there is a buzz around the Wichita site.
“We are out of the dark period that challenged us a few years back and along with our colleagues with the Hawker range we are pulling towards the same goals and pulling together”
Groom’s Beechcraft business is aimed primarily at the owner-pilot, while the Hawker business sees more corporate or flight department customers.
“Of course sometimes we have flight department customers and some pilot owners go direct to Hawker, but it is the way we see the heritage of each of the brands,” Groom says. “Our employees and our customers are all fiercely loyal to the brand and that is a great position to be in.”
Source: Flight Daily News
