Fri, Nov 06, 2009
Special Limited Edition Model Available For The 50th
Anniversary
One way to judge the success of
something is to look at its staying power. By that measure, the
Beechcraft Baron is a very successful airplane. Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) this week is marking the 50th
anniversary of its high performance piston twin by offering a
limited edition model that incorporates elegant interior design
features and amenities, a choice of four distinctive external paint
schemes, and high performance Hartzell Scimitar propellers. More
than 6,700 aircraft have been produced since the first Baron-55 was
introduced in 1960. HBC is displaying its Baron, as well as
information on the 50th anniversary model, at the AOPA Aviation
Summit in Tampa, Floria.
"The success of the Baron is a testament to its exceptional design,
innovation and value-enhancing improvements over the years, and to
its loyal and enthusiastic customer base," said Shawn Vick, HBC
executive vice president. "The Baron continues to be the
performance leader among twin engine piston aircraft and provides
versatility, speed and range/payload capability that are the best
in its class."
Designed to celebrate the Baron as an industry standard, the golden
anniversary aircraft incorporates specially-engraved, 14-carat-gold
Baron and 50-year emblems into the power quadrant and
pilot/co-pilot control wheels, matching wheat leather seats and
removable headrest covers with an embossed Beechcraft shield, and
leather-wrapped yokes in an exclusive wheat finish. The aircraft
also sports a heritage Beechcraft shield sculpted into the velvet
cut Baron Brown carpet in the club seating area. Rosen sun visors,
a Lightspeed Zulu headset and air-conditioning round out the
internal enhancements.
Externally, the Hartzell blended airfoil Scimitar propellers
equipped with unfeathering accumulators will provide a performance
boost, while a choice of four color palettes and a
specially-designed paint scheme give the anniversary aircraft a
unique look. The limited edition Baron is identified by an
exclusive number sequence (1/12) and proudly displays the heritage
Beechcraft shield on the tail. Each aircraft features distinctive
50th anniversary commemorative graphics on the nacelles and
fuselage, with upper leading-edge wing surfaces finished with
select anniversary paint.
The Baron series debuted as an updated version of the Model 95
Travel Air. A stretch of the fuselage in 1970 changed the model
designation from the B-55 to the B-58 and allowed for the addition
of two more seats in the cabin. The current model, powered by two
300 horsepower Teledyne Continental IO-550 engines, has a maximum
gross weight of 5,500 pounds. The G58 Baron has a maximum level
speed at 6,000 feet of 202 knots or it can fly for up to 9 hours at
a cruise speed of 167 knots, burning 18.6 gallons per hour at
10,000 feet. The 50th Anniversary model offers a useful load of
1,504 pounds.
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