Story ID: 
Textron Aviation Updates Beechcraft, Cessna Pistons
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Textron Aviation is offering standard upgrades to new production Beechcraft Barons and Bonanzas as well as Cessna high-wing pistons.
Word Count: 228
Textron Aviation is unveiling standard upgrades to its lineup of Cessna and Beechcraft piston airplanes at the 2022 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, the Wichita airframer announced. Newly produced Bonanza G36s will now have a 155-pound increase to their maximum takeoff weight, giving the Beechcraft piston singles a maximum useful load of 1,213 pounds in a standard six-seat configuration.

Additionally, three new interior schemes and cockpit layout with a standalone autopilot controller will be included on new production Bonanzas and Baron G58 piston twins. Both models will also come equipped with Garmin GI 275 electronic standby, a carbon monoxide detector integrated within the Garmin avionics, USB ports at every seat, powered headset plugs in the cockpit, and updated LED exterior lighting. Those upgrades will be available on models set to begin delivery in mid-2022.

Also, new production Cessna high-wing pistons—172, 182, and 206—will come equipped with the GI 275, eliminating three analog standby instruments and providing additional flight data. The interiors of those models will be refreshed with Alcantara inserts in the seats along with a backlit USB A/C port in the cockpit.

On display at Textron Aviation’s Sun ‘n Fun exhibit will be the Lycoming engine for the recently announced Turbo Skylane as well as a mockup of the Beechcraft Denali and its five-blade composite propeller from McCauley.