From the existing guide library. Pricing, loan examples and source dates may be historical. Use current written quotes for your purchase. The worksheets use the shared calculation method.

The True Operating Cost of Beechcraft Bonanza

The Beechcraft Bonanza is the benchmark for single-engine performance and reliability. Plan for $35,000–$42,000 annually in operating costs at 100 flight hours, or $350–$420 per hour. Higher fuel burn, more complex systems, and premium insurance make Bonanzas costlier than Cessnas, but their speed (140+ mph), resale value, and reputation justify the premium for business and cross-country owners.

Quick Specs: Beechcraft Bonanza (G36 / Legacy IO-550)

Specification G36 / IO-550 Models
Engine Continental IO-550 (300 hp) / Lycoming O-360 (180 hp, legacy)
Fuel Burn (cruise) 8.0–9.0 gal/hr (G36) / 7.5–8.0 gal/hr (legacy)
Cruise Speed 145–160 mph (G36) / 120–135 mph (legacy)
Useful Load 1,100–1,300 lbs
Seats 6
Range 1,200–1,600 nm (with reserve)

TL;DR: Beechcraft Bonanza Annual Operating Cost Summary

  • Fixed costs: $15,000–$20,000/year (insurance $2,500–$3,500, hangar $4,500–$6,000, annuals $1,500–$2,000, avionics $600–$1,200)
  • Variable costs at 100 hours: $20,000–$22,000/year (fuel, oil, mx reserves)
  • Total at 100 hours: $35,000–$42,000/year (~$350–$420/hour)
  • At 50 hours: ~$27,000–$31,000/year (~$540–$620/hour)
  • At 200 hours: ~$55,000–$64,000/year (~$275–$320/hour)
  • Finance a $250,000 Bonanza: Add $3,750/month ($45,000/year) at 6.5% over 7 years

What Counts as Operating Cost

Bonanza operating costs are higher than single-engine trainers due to performance engines, sophisticated avionics, and premium maintenance.

Fixed Costs

  • Insurance: $2,000–$3,500/year for $200,000–$280,000 hull value with 500+ pilot hours. Low-time pilots pay $3,000–$5,000/year.
  • Hangar/tie-down: $4,500–$6,000/year hangar (Bonanzas benefit from hangar protection); $1,200–$2,400/year tie-down
  • Avionics subscriptions: $600–$1,200/year (G1000 NXi, weather radar subscriptions)
  • Annual inspection: $1,500–$2,500 labor (retractable gear, pressurization systems, complex avionics add cost)

Variable Costs (per flight hour)

  • Fuel (G36): 8.5 gal/hr × $6.50/gal = ~$55/hour
  • Oil and filter: $4–$6/hour (Continental IO-550 consumes more oil)
  • Engine reserve: $14–$18/hour ($30,000 overhaul ÷ 2,000 TBO)
  • Propeller reserve: $6–$8/hour (CS prop, ~$10,000 overhaul)
  • Maintenance & incidentals: $20–$30/hour (vacuum system, pressurization, alternator, landing gear)
  • Landing fees: $5–$15/landing

Financing: A $250,000 Bonanza at 6.5% APR over 7 years costs ~$3,750/month ($45,000/year). Down payment 15–20% standard.

Get prequalified for premium aircraft financing »

Fuel Burn and Hourly Cost

Bonanzas are fuel-hungry compared to trainers but offer 40% faster cruise speed, justifying higher hourly burn for business travel.

Fuel Cost Calculation

Example (G36 at cruise):

  • Fuel burn: 8.5 gal/hr
  • Fuel price: $6.50/gal
  • Hourly cost: 8.5 × $6.50 = $55.25/hour

Annual Fuel Cost by Hours

Annual Hours Gallons (G36) Cost @ $6.50/gal
50 425 $2,763
100 850 $5,525
150 1,275 $8,288
200 1,700 $11,050

Maintenance & Engine Reserves

Engine TBO and Overhaul

  • Continental IO-550: 2,000 hours TBO; overhaul $28,000–$35,000
  • Constant-speed propeller: ~$10,000 overhaul at 1,500+ hours
  • Reserve math: $30,000 ÷ 2,000 = $15/hour engine reserve

Common ADs and Maintenance

  • Pressurization system: If equipped (P/M models), $2,000–$4,000 overhauls every 5 years
  • Landing gear: $3,000–$5,000 inspection/overhaul every 500 hours if retractable
  • Vacuum pump: $400–$600 replacement at 500–800 hours
  • Annual inspection: $1,500–$2,500 (more complex than Cessna/Piper)

Insurance & Storage

Insurance Premiums

  • $250,000 hull, 500+ hours, private use: $2,000–$2,800/year
  • $250,000 hull, 100–250 hours: $3,000–$4,200/year
  • Business/charter: +40–60% premium

Storage Costs

Option Monthly Annual
Hangar (recommended) $375–$500 $4,500–$6,000
Tie-Down $100–$200 $1,200–$2,400

Annual Ownership Scenarios

Operating Cost (Not Financed)

Hours/Year Fixed Variable Total $/Hour
50 $17,500 $9,000 $26,500 $530
100 $17,500 $18,000 $35,500 $355
200 $17,500 $36,000 $53,500 $267.50

Total Cost of Ownership (With Financing)

Assume $250,000 Bonanza, 6.5% APR, 7 years = $45,000/year debt service.

Hours/Year Operating Finance Total $/Hour
100 $35,500 $45,000 $80,500 $805
200 $53,500 $45,000 $98,500 $492.50

Financing the Bonanza

Bonanzas hold value exceptionally well, making them attractive for financing despite higher purchase price.

  • Purchase price: $200,000–$350,000 (depends on year, avionics, engine time)
  • Down payment: 15–20%
  • Loan amount: $200,000–$280,000
  • Term: 7–10 years
  • APR: 5.75–7.0% (2025)
  • Monthly payment: $2,800–$4,000

Lender Requirements

Aircraft lenders like JakenAviation typically require:

  • 600+ credit score
  • Commercial pilot preferred (private minimum)
  • $150,000+ annual income
  • Hull insurance ($200,000+ coverage)
  • Appraisal and pre-purchase inspection

Alternatives to Consider

  • Cirrus SR22: Similar price and performance; lower fuel burn (6.5 gal/hr). Parachute system adds $15K but insurance may be cheaper.
  • Piper M350: Pressurized twin-engine; higher fuel burn (18 gal/hr combined) but twin-engine safety and ice capability.
  • Cessna 210: Retractable single, lower cost to acquire (~$180K used), similar fuel burn to older Bonanzas.

FAQs

Is a Bonanza a good investment?

Yes. Bonanzas appreciate or hold value better than most singles. Excellent resale market. True 7-year cost of ownership competitive with Cessnas when accounting for speed premium and business use.

What is the best year Bonanza to buy?

2010–2015 models offer best value: technology (G1000 NXi) at ~$220K–$260K. Pre-2000 models cheaper but vacuum systems less reliable. Newer G36 models ($500K+) justify cost only for heavy IFR use.

Apply for Bonanza financing today »

Sources: Beechcraft Performance Specifications | AOPA Owner Reports | FAA TCDS Database

Operating-cost worksheet

Defaults are round assumptions, not a shop quote. AOPA’s worksheet splits fixed costs (insurance, hangar, the annual), direct costs (fuel and maintenance), and a reserve (overhaul cost divided by hours to TBO). Their old teaching example used half the hourly fuel bill as a maintenance starting point. Type your own gph and prices.

Stop dividing one year’s costs by too few hours

The expensive mistake on a Beechcraft Bonanza is to take insurance, hangar, and an annual, divide by 80 or 100 hours, and call the result the cost of flying. Those bills arrive if you fly or not. AOPA’s operating-cost worksheet treats them as fixed costs, then adds direct costs that do move with hours: fuel, oil, and maintenance. A reserve for the engine or propeller is a third bucket, optional in their sheet and not optional in real life if you intend to keep the aircraft through an overhaul. The worksheet on this page follows that split. Any annual dollar range printed higher up on this page, if it does not cite an invoice or AOPA, is an illustration. Do not repeat it as a quote.

Fuel is a multiplication, not a rumor

AOPA’s instruction is price per gallon times gallons per hour. The gallons per hour belong to the way you actually fly the Beechcraft Bonanza, not to the brochure cruise at the most flattering altitude. Oil is the same idea: price per quart times quarts per hour. Type both into the worksheet. If you do not know burn, leave a conservative guess and replace it after five tanks of your own notes. A blog’s “cost per hour” that hides the burn and the fuel price is not usable, because you cannot tell which assumption broke.

Sources