Beechcraft Bonanza 36 vs Piper Seneca
The Piper Seneca (six-seat piston twin, ~190 kt) and Beechcraft Bonanza 36 (six-seat single, ~175 kt) are different-propulsion competitors — single vs twin.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $189,000 – $1,395,000 | $53,000 – $875,612 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 168 kts (311 km/h) | 180 kts (333 km/h) |
| Range | 697 nm (1,291 km) | 750 nm (1,389 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 4,750 lbs (2,155 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 1,590 lbs (721 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 123.0 gal (466 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $195 | $280 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza 36
Fuel$77/hr
Variable$195/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Piper Seneca
Fuel$121/hr
Variable$280/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$81,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Piper Seneca?
Bottom line: Choose the Seneca for twin-engine redundancy and the safety profile of a twin on overwater/IFR missions. Choose the Bonanza 36 for single-engine economics, lower fuel burn and the refined Beechcraft cabin.
Pick the Bonanza 36 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$195/hr vs $280/hr.
- More inventory — 207 listings vs 112.
Pick the Seneca if…
- Budget matters — from $53,000 vs $189,000, you save ~$136,000.
- Faster cruise — 180 kts vs 168 kts.
- Longer range — 750 nm vs 697 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1972 vs 1968.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Piper Seneca?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Bonanza 36 cruises at 168 kts with 697 nm range.
The Seneca cruises at 180 kts with 750 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Beechcraft Bonanza 36: from $463,958.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft Bonanza 36 and Piper Seneca?
Cruise: 168 vs 180 kts.
Range: 697 vs 750 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Bonanza 36: about $195/hr variable cost.
Seneca: about $280/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Bonanza 36: 6 seats.
Seneca: 6 seats / 1,590 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Bonanza 36: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
Seneca: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$40,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data