ICAO BE55

Beechcraft Baron / 55 Baron

Beechcraft

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Twin-engine piston light aircraft with proven reliability.

First flight

1960

Category

Piston twin light aircraft

Seating

4–6

Range

1,700 km

Engines

Two Continental IO-470 or IO-520 flat-six piston engines

Status

In service

The Beechcraft Baron 55 is a twin-engine piston light aircraft produced by Beechcraft, a division of Textron Aviation. It was introduced in 1961 as a development of the Travel Air model, offering improved performance and twin-engine safety for general aviation and business travel. The Baron 55 seats up to five or six occupants and is powered by two Continental IO-470 or IO-520 series flat-six engines. It has been widely used for personal travel, charter operations, and flight training due to its handling characteristics and reliability. The Baron family evolved through several variants, including the 56TC, 58, and 58P, with the 58 variant remaining in production into the 21st century. The 55 Baron established Beechcraft's reputation in the light twin market and remains a popular choice on the used aircraft market.

Notable operators

Operated primarily by private owners, corporate operators, charter companies, and flight training organizations worldwide rather than commercial airlines.

Notable facts

›The Baron 55 was developed from the earlier Beechcraft Travel Air twin.
›It first flew in 1960 and entered service in 1961.
›Several sub-variants of the 55 series were produced, including the A55, B55, C55, D55, and E55.
›The aircraft is equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear for improved aerodynamic performance.
›The Baron line is one of the longest-running twin-engine piston aircraft families in aviation history.