Target Audience:
Flight schools, multi-engine trainers, and private owners
Role:
Primary multi-engine training and light personal transport
Primary Competitors:
Piper PA-44 Seminole, Grumman American GA-7 Cougar
Design Advantage:
T-tail configuration for improved elevator effectiveness and reduced cabin noise
Counter-Rotating Engines:
Symmetrical thrust, eliminating the critical engine
Serviceability:
Conventional piston powerplants with widespread parts availability
Airframe:
Fuselage, wings, empennage, T-tail structure, flight controls and trim systems
Landing Gear:
Retractable tricycle gear, actuation system, brakes and nosewheel steering
Powerplant:
Lycoming O-360-A1G6D engines, mount, cowling and vibration isolation
Propellers:
Hartzell constant-speed counter-rotating propellers and governors
Fuel System:
Wing tanks, selectors, boost pumps, crossfeed and quantity indication
Electrical System:
Alternators, battery, starter circuit, bus distribution and wiring diagrams
Hydraulic System:
Landing gear power pack and hydraulic actuation circuits
Pitot-Static:
Pitot, static and stall warning systems
Environmental:
Cabin heating, ventilation and windshield defrost
Avionics Installations:
Standard equipment wiring and antenna installations
Inspections:
Preflight, 100-hour, and annual inspection procedures
Maintenance:
Scheduled servicing, lubrication, adjustments and functional checks
Repair:
Structural, engine, and systems repair procedures with torque data
Troubleshooting:
Fault isolation charts for engines, gear, electrical and fuel systems
Rigging:
Flight control and landing gear rigging procedures
Weight & Balance:
Weighing procedures and load control data
Detail Level:
Complete disassembly, inspection, reassembly and test specifications
Diagrams:
Exploded views, schematics and system illustrations
Data Tables:
Torque limits, clearances, tolerances and consumable part numbers
Special Tools:
Required tooling identified where applicable
Part References:
Part numbers cited within procedures where applicable
Consumables:
Approved lubricants, seals and hardware specifications
Source:
N/A - this manual is a service manual, not the illustrated parts catalog
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Engine Model:
O-360-A1G6D
Rated Power:
180 hp per engine
Configuration:
Four-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated
Displacement:
360 cubic inches (5.9 liters)
Fuel System:
Gravity/carbureted with engine-driven and electric boost pumps
Wing Capacity:
Approximately 52 gallons usable total (2 x 26 gal wing tanks)
Propellers:
Hartzell constant-speed, counter-rotating
Certified Ceiling:
Approximately 17,500 ft
Wingspan:
Approximately 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Length:
Approximately 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m)
Height:
Approximately 9 ft 4.5 in (2.86 m) with T-tail
Wheelbase:
Tricycle landing gear, nosewheel aft of nose
Max Takeoff Weight:
3,900 lb (1,769 kg)
Typical Empty Weight:
Approximately 2,385 lb
Stall Protection:
Stall warning horn system
Landing Gear:
Retractable tricycle gear with gear position indication
Structure:
All-metal semi-monocoque construction
Twin-Engine Redundancy:
Dual engines and independent electrical/fuel systems
Certification:
FAR Part 23 normal category
Crash Test Ratings:
N/A - aircraft are certified under FAA airworthiness standards, not crash test ratings
Avionics:
Factory VFR/IFR-capable avionics stack; equipment varies by individual aircraft
Instrumentation:
Dual engine instrumentation with independent gauges per engine
Audio:
N/A - audio panels and radios fitted per aircraft, varies by operator
Driver Assistance Equivalent:
N/A - no electronic assistance systems on this aircraft type
Inspection Basis:
Annual inspection required; 100-hour inspection if used for hire
Engine Overhaul:
TBO per Lycoming O-360-A1G6D schedule (typically 2,000 hours, verify current Lycoming SB)
Landing Gear:
Hydraulic system servicing and rigging checks at scheduled inspections
Engine Oil:
Aviation ashless-dispersant piston engine oil per Lycoming specification, grade per ambient temperature
Hydraulic Fluid:
MIL-PRF-5606 (MIL-H-5606) hydraulic fluid
Brake Fluid:
MIL-PRF-5606 in the brake system
Propellers:
Propeller hub inspection and governor service at overhaul intervals
Landing Gear:
Gear actuator, retract springs and door rigging wear
Exhaust:
Exhaust stack and muffler cracking typical of twins
Corrosion:
Wing and tail structure inspection in high-humidity/coastal operations
Manufacturer:
Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas
Production Years:
1977-1982
Production Location:
Wichita, Kansas, USA
Design Debut:
Developed in the mid-1970s as a multi-engine trainer
Role in Lineup:
Entry-level twin to complement the Baron and serve the flight-training market
End of Production:
Production ceased in 1982; type remains popular with training operators