Skip to main content

Beechcraft Bonanza: G36 and V-tail specs, V-speeds and costs

The Beechcraft G36 Bonanza is a six-seat, low-wing single with retractable gear and a 300-hp Continental IO-550-B. Its POH lists a 3,650 lb max takeoff weight, 74 usable gallons, Vx 84 and Vy 100 KIAS, Vne 205 KIAS and a 17-knot demonstrated crosswind. The rare rental Bonanza costs about $217 an hour.

Renzo Madueño, former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot
Former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot
Last reviewed
Checked against the G36 POH/AFM and FAA TCDS 3A15
3D illustration of a white straight-tail Beechcraft Bonanza A36 with gold and brown stripes: low wing, three side windows and tricycle landing gear extended
IllustrationAI-generated 3D illustration of a straight-tail Bonanza (Model 36 style, low wing, retractable gear shown down). Not a photo of a specific aircraft.

Could you pass the PPL written today?

Free practice test from the real FAA question bank — instant score, every answer explained, no account needed.

Take the free test

300 hp

IO-550-B, G36

TCDS 3A15

3,650 lb

Max takeoff weight

G36 POH

74 gal

Usable fuel

G36 POH

$217/hr

Median rental

4 US operators

Beechcraft G36 Bonanza specifications

From the G36 Pilot's Operating Handbook (serials E-3630, E-3636 and after) and FAA type certificate 3A15. We do not print cruise speed, range or runway distances: the manufacturer's spec page is no longer online and the POH gives them as charts that depend on weight, altitude and temperature.

Beechcraft G36 Bonanza specifications
G36 airframe
Seats6[TCDS]
Wing area181 sq ft[POH]
Cabin (interior)12 ft 7 in long, 3 ft 6 in wide, 4 ft 2 in high[POH]
DoorsFront cabin door 37 × 36 in; aft utility door 45 × 35 in[POH]
Landing gearRetractable tricycle gear[TCDS]With a constant-speed propeller and over 200 hp: complex and high-performance endorsements (14 CFR 61.31(e), (f)).
Engine
G36Continental IO-550-B, 300 hp at 2,700 rpm[TCDS]
V35B (V-tail)Continental IO-520-B, -BA or -BB, 285 hp[TCDS]
Weights and fuel (G36)
Max takeoff weight3,650 lb[POH, TCDS]Max ramp 3,663 lb; max landing 3,650 lb. V35B: 3,400 lb.
Fuel80 gal total, 74 gal usable[POH, TCDS]V35B from S/N D-10303 the same; earlier: 50/44 standard, 80/74 optional.
Performance and procedures (G36)
Service ceiling18,500 ft[POH]
Max range glide110 KIAS, about 1.7 nm per 1,000 ft[POH]Engine-out figures from Section 3.
Climb fuel flow (2,700 rpm)25.7 gal/hr at sea level[POH]The POH's cyan climb fuel-flow target; 20.9 gal/hr at 10,000 ft.
Max demonstrated crosswind17 kt[POH]

Sources

Bonanza G36 V-speeds

The G36 shows airspeed on the Garmin G1000 speed tape, and its POH defines the colored strips just like the arcs of a round gauge: white 61-124, green 68-167, yellow 167-205 and red above 205 KIAS. Drawn as a round indicator below so you can compare it with the other guides.

Bonanza G36 airspeed indicator markings: white arc 61-124 KIAS, green arc 68-167 KIAS, yellow arc 167-205 KIAS, red line 205 KIAS406080100120140160180200220AIRSPEEDKNOTSBONANZA G36
  • White arc 61-124 KIASFlap operating range (Vs0 to Vfe, full flaps)
  • Green arc 68-167 KIASNormal operating range (Vs1 to Vno)
  • Yellow arc 167-205 KIASCaution range: smooth air only
  • Red line 205 KIASVne, never exceed
Rotate
73 KIAS
Flaps up (67 with approach flaps)
Vx
84 KIAS
Best angle of climb
Vy
100 KIAS
Best rate of climb (cruise climb 110)
Best glide
110 KIAS
Maximum range glide
Approach
79 KIAS
Flaps down 30° (90 flaps up)
Va
141 KIAS
Maneuvering
Vfe
154 / 124 KIAS
Approach flaps 12° / full 30°
Vle / Vlo
154 KIAS
Gear extended / operating
Vno
167 KIAS
Max structural cruising
Vne
205 KIAS
Never exceed
Beechcraft G36 Bonanza airspeed markings and V-speeds (KIAS), from the colored strips of its G1000 speed tape. The needle sits at Vy, 100 KIAS. Diagram, not a photo. Open as image

Sources

G36 vs V-tail V35B limits

Beechcraft Bonanza G36 vs V35B (KIAS)
KIAS unless notedG36V35B (V-tail)
Engine300 hp285 hp
Max weight (lb)3,6503,400
Seats64, 5 or 6
Va141134
Vfe approach flaps154 (12°)154 (15°)*
Vfe full flaps124123*
Vle154154*
Vno167167
Vne205197

Sources

From FAA TCDS 3A15 Rev. 98 and the G36 POH. *V35B values apply from the serial numbers the TCDS lists (D-10179 and on for approach flaps; D-8872 and on for full flaps and Vle); earlier V35Bs have different limits in knots CAS.

The Bonanza family

Model 35 (V-tail)

The original Bonanza with the V-shaped ruddervator tail, built 1947-1982 (secondary source). The V35B was the last.

Model 33

Conventional tail, introduced in 1960 (secondary source).

Model 36 / A36

Conventional tail with a longer cabin and the aft utility door, from 1968 (secondary source).

G36

IO-550-B, 300 hp, 3,650 lb, six seats; FAA approval November 2005 (TCDS 3A15). Garmin G1000 flight deck.

Endorsements and transition

A Bonanza needs both one-time endorsements: complex (retractable gear, flaps and a constant-speed propeller, 14 CFR 61.31(e)) and high-performance (more than 200 hp, 61.31(f)). Insurers usually add their own minimum hours and recurrent training; ask before you buy.

The numbers to own before your checkout come straight from the POH: rotate at 73 KIAS, climb at 100 (Vy) or 84 (Vx), approach at 79 with full flaps, keep the gear and approach flaps below 154 and full flaps below 124, and glide at 110 KIAS if the engine quits. The G36 flies the Garmin G1000, so learn the panel before the airplane. Most Bonanza pilots fly IFR: see the instrument rating exam prep.

How much it costs to rent a Bonanza

Only four of the 30 US rate sheets we read on October 3, 2026 listed a Bonanza.

Beechcraft Bonanza rental rates, US, October 2026
Beechcraft Bonanza (V35, K35, S35, A36)$217/hr medianRange $170-$316 across 4 US clubs and schools; most are flying clubs.
Cessna 182 (for comparison)$231/hr medianRange $150-$375, 9 operators.
Cirrus SR22 (for comparison)$507.50/hr medianRange $361-$647, 6 operators.

Aircraft only, US dollars per flight hour, from published rate sheets read October 3, 2026. “Wet” means the sheet says fuel is included. Some clubs bill tach time (10-15% fewer hours than Hobbs) and add monthly dues. Instructor time is billed on top: $50-$125 per hour on the same rate sheets, about $80 typical.

Schools and clubs in the sample

Beechcraft Bonanza FAQ

What are the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza V-speeds?

From the G36 POH: rotate 73 KIAS (67 with approach flaps), Vx 84, Vy 100, cruise climb 110, approach 79 with flaps down, Va 141, Vfe 154 with approach flaps and 124 with full flaps, Vle 154, Vno 167 and Vne 205. The max-range glide speed is 110 KIAS.

What is the difference between the V-tail and the straight-tail Bonanza?

The Model 35 has the V-shaped "ruddervator" tail; the Model 33 and Model 36, including today's G36, have a conventional tail. On paper the last V-tail, the V35B, has a 285-hp engine, a 3,400 lb max weight and a 197 KIAS Vne; the G36 has 300 hp, 3,650 lb and 205 KIAS.

How many seats does a Bonanza have?

The G36 is a six-seat airplane with a large aft utility door (45 by 35 inches) behind the wing. The V-tail V35B is certificated for four, five or six seats depending on configuration.

What endorsements do you need to fly a Bonanza?

Retractable gear and a constant-speed propeller make it a complex airplane, and more than 200 hp makes it high-performance, so you need both one-time endorsements (14 CFR 61.31(e) and (f)). Insurers usually add their own experience and training requirements.

How much fuel does a G36 Bonanza hold?

80 gallons total, 74 usable, per the POH. During a full-power climb at 2,700 rpm the POH's fuel-flow target is 25.7 gallons per hour at sea level, falling to 20.9 at 10,000 ft.

How much does it cost to rent a Bonanza?

Very few operators rent one. The four published rates we found on October 3, 2026 ran from $170 to $316 an hour (median $217), mostly at flying clubs that require a checkout and minimum hours.

What is the max crosswind for a Bonanza?

The G36 POH lists a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 17 knots. It is a tested value, not a structural limit.

How many Bonanzas have been built?

More than 18,000 Bonanzas of all models, according to secondary sources; the V-tail Model 35 was built from 1947 to 1982.

Compare the aircraft guides

Same format in every guide: spec tables with their sources, V-speeds from the POH and rental costs measured on real rate sheets.

Ready to Ace Your Checkride?

Whether you are studying for your high-performance endorsement, instrument rating, or commercial checkride, Rotate gives you practice questions, flashcards, and study materials covering aircraft systems, performance, and regulations.

Start for $7.49

$14.99/mo after first month. Cancel anytime.

Related Aviation Resources