Raytheon Aircraft Company Renames Legendary Beechcraft Bonanza And Beechcraft Baron

The name changes coincide with the newly upgraded avionics systems for the Bonanza and Baron product lines announced at Oshkosh in August, 2004. Formerly named the Beechcraft Bonanza A36, and the Beechcraft Baron 58, the aircraft will now be formally designated the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58, respectively, with a corresponding change to each models type data sheet. Both aircraft feature Garmin G1000 integrated avionics systems as standard equipment and will also feature new paint schemes and logo designs.

"Our customers are very interested in the integrated capabilities of the Garmin G1000 upgrades, as is evidenced by increased orders, and customer excitement," said Randy Groom, President and General Manager of Beechcraft. Since the announcement of the avionics update, Raytheon Aircraft Company has steadily been filling its order books for the upgraded Beechcraft Bonanzas and Beechcraft Barons.

"This upgrade is designed with the customers needs in mind. We have even taken the new cockpit kiosk on a United States tour to showcase the increased functionality and ease of operation of the G1000 avionics. A Beechcraft desktop training model will be available at EAA's spring "Sun-n-Fun" event in Lakeland, Florida, and a Beechcraft Bonanza G36 will be on display at the upcoming summer EAA Oshkosh AirVenture 2005," said Groom.

The intuitive G1000 system reduces pilot workload, provides improved situational awareness, and tremendously increases functionality. "Wow, this has more features and display information than some of the big Jets," said one Boeing 737 Airline Captain and Beechcraft Baron Owner."

Complete with the fully integrated Garmin innovative autopilot GFC 700™ system, and GWX68™ weather radar, the G1000 also features the following as standard system components for the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58:

• The primary flight display (PFD) replaces many of the traditional cockpit instruments and presents this information on a large format
• State of the Art" solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference System, which can align while in motion, including in-flight dynamic restarts
• Integrated digital air-data computer
• Integrated engine-monitoring display
• Revolutionary integrated three-axis automatic flight control system
• Integrated Mode S transponder with (TIS) Traffic Information Service
•  Dual integrated radio modules the provide WAAS-capable & IFR oceanic approved GPS; VHF navigation with ILS; and VHF communication with 16-watt transceivers and 8.33-kHz channel spacing
• Integrated Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) with worldwide terrain and obstacle database
• Integrated 129 color weather radar (Beechcraft Baron G58 only)
• XM WX satellite weather datalink capable of receiving on of the XM WX weather monthly subscriber Aviator services
• Integrated digital audio control system enabling more than 120 channels of digital commercial-free music and premier sports, news and talk radio
• Integrated design with reversionary capabilities, allowing all flight-critical data to transfer seamlessly to a single display for added safety during flight

The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58 are currently undergoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. Domestic certification is expected to be completed later in the year, followed by multiple international certifications.

With more than 17,000 built, the Beechcraft Bonanza has been in production since 1947, and is the world's best-selling and longest continual-selling series of single-engine, retractable aircraft. The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is powered by a Teledyne Continental I0550-B engine rated at 300 hp. It has a top speed of 174 knots (191 mph) and a maximum range of more than 900 nm, seating up to six.

The Beechcraft Baron G58, with more than 7,000 built, is powered by twin 300 hp Teledyne Continental I0550-C, six cylinder, fuel-injected engines. It has a top speed of 202 knots (222 mph) and a maximum range of more than 1,000 nm and seats up to six.

FMI: www.raytheonaircraft.com