JRB-4 Voyager

The Beechcraft JRB‑4 Voyager is a four‑seat, low‑wing monoplane that entered service in the early 1970s as the company’s answer to the growing demand for reliable, fast cross‑country trainers and personal transports. Developed from the earlier Model 35 Bonanza line, the JRB‑4 incorporated a laminated wooden wing spar, an all‑metal fuselage, and a new Lycoming IO‑540‑D4A5 engine delivering 260 hp. First flight took place on 12 May 1971, and certification was achieved a year later, allowing the aircraft to be delivered to flight schools, corporate fleets, and private owners worldwide. Key features include a retractable tricycle landing gear, flush‑mounted winglets that reduce drag, and an advanced analog cockpit with autopilot and a digital fuel‑monitoring system, a rarity for its era. The Voyager’s payload capacity of 1,200 pounds and a range of 1,050 nautical miles made it a versatile platform for both training and long‑range personal travel. Its reputation for smooth handling, low operating costs, and robust construction contributed to its lasting presence in general aviation, influencing subsequent Beechcraft designs such as the B‑36 Bonanza and solidifying the brand’s legacy of dependable light aircraft.

Beechcraft

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