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maximum speed of 250 mph at 19,000 feet compared with 210 mph for the naturally-aspirated Model V35. Production of the V35TC continued into the 1967 model year, and 79 were built before production changed to the V35A-TC, of which 49 were manufactured during the 1968-1969 model years. The last turbocharged version of the V-tail Bonanza was the 1970 V35B-TC that cost $45,250. Only seven were built and none were produced during 1971.
After a nine-year absence, turbocharging returned to the Bonanza family of Beechcrafts with introduction of the A36TC in 1979. The company may have been motivated to revisit the concept of a turbocharged A36 thanks to the popularity of Cessna’s Turbo Stationair 7, T210N Centurion and Piper’s new PA32-301T turbocharged Saratoga that was certified in January 1980.
Built initially for the 1979 model year, the A36TC was powered by Continental’s TSIO-520UB engine that developed 300 horsepower. Cowl flaps were eliminated in favor of air cooling louvers that caused cooling problems for certain cylinders during the flight test program, but these were eventually resolved and the airplane received FAA certification December 7, 1978, under (amended) Approved Type Certificate 3A15. An oxygen system was available and the cabin heating system was improved to provide 20% more heat at the turbo Bonanza’s maximum certified altitude of 25,000 feet.
The A36TC was well received by pilots, but they had to closely monitor cylinder head temperatures and mixture during climbout to avoid having to “step-climb” the airplane due to high cylinder head temperatures. Beech Aircraft established a special training course to familiarize pilots with the airplane’s characteristics, particularly if they were new to turbocharging. If, however, pilots flew the A36TC in accordance with procedures they were taught and specified in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the airplane was a strong performer and a welcome addition to the Bonanza lineup. During the first year of production, 32 airplanes were built followed in 1980 by 126 and another 113 in 1980 – the last year of manufacture for the A36TC.
During 1980-1981, Beech engineers reworked the A36TC into the improved Bonanza B36TC. It incorporated a series of upgrades to the airframe and engine including:
= Continental TSIO-520-UB engine rated at 300 horsepower
= New instrument panel featuring separate control wheel shafts (the iconic, 1940s-vintage Beechcraft throw-over control column was finally eliminated)
= Throttle, mixture and propeller controls were grouped into a quadrant located in a console between the two front seats
OCTOBER 2023
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 27