Beechcraft
Baron A55
The Beechcraft Baron A55, introduced in 1972, is the twin‑engine, pressurized evolution of the popular Model 58 line. Building on the success of the earlier Baron 55 and 58 variants, the A55 incorporated a more powerful Lycoming IO‑540‑AB1A5 engine on each wing, delivering 300 hp and boosting cruise speed to roughly 200 kt. Its all‑metal airframe, bonded wing spars and retractable tricycle landing gear gave it a sleek, high‑performance profile while retaining Beechcraft’s renowned handling qualities. Certified for a maximum take‑off weight of 7,200 lb, the aircraft offers a useful load of about 1,500 lb and a range of 1,200 nm with standard fuel tanks, making it suitable for cross‑country business trips and light‑cargo missions.
The A55’s cockpit features a six‑place configuration with dual‑control yokes, an advanced analog instrument panel and, in later retrofit packages, glass‑cockpit avionics such as the Collins Pro Line 21. Its pressurization system maintains a cabin altitude below 8,000 ft at cruising altitude, enhancing crew comfort on longer flights. Over the decades the Baron A55 has become a workhorse for corporate operators, flight schools, and private owners, celebrated for its reliability, speed, and versatility, and it remains a benchmark in the twin‑engine piston‑aircraft segment.
The A55’s cockpit features a six‑place configuration with dual‑control yokes, an advanced analog instrument panel and, in later retrofit packages, glass‑cockpit avionics such as the Collins Pro Line 21. Its pressurization system maintains a cabin altitude below 8,000 ft at cruising altitude, enhancing crew comfort on longer flights. Over the decades the Baron A55 has become a workhorse for corporate operators, flight schools, and private owners, celebrated for its reliability, speed, and versatility, and it remains a benchmark in the twin‑engine piston‑aircraft segment.