TYPE: Six-seat utility twin.
PROGRAMME: Prototype Beech 55 Baron flew 29 February 1960; total 3,728 built, not including 94 Model 56 Turbo Barons. Model 58 derived from E55 with 25 cm (10 in) fuselage stretch, plus internal rearrangement to lengthen cabin by 76 cm (30 in); certified in FAA Normal category 19 November 1969; marketing began in following month. Raytheon delivered 2,000th standard Model 58 (N558TH) in July 2001. Beech 58P Pressurised Baron and 58TC turbocharged version no longer produced.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Baron 58: Standard version, as described. Features introduced for 2001 model year include dual Garmin GNS 530 nav/comm/GPS.
Baron 58 Jaguar Special Edition: Discontinued.
CUSTOMERS: Operators include several commercial aviation flying schools. Total 2,707 Baron 58s delivered by September 2003, including 29 in 1995, 44 in 1996, 35 in 1997, 42 in 1998, 47 in 1999, 50 in 2000, 47 in 2001, 27 in 2002, and 17 in the first nine months of 2003. (Incorporates 497 of 58P and 151 of 58TC versions.)
COSTS: US$1,010,400 basic; US$1,058,030 typically equipped (2001).
DESIGN FEATURES: Conventional low-wing monoplane, ultimately derived from Beech Bonanza. Tapered wing with leading-edge gloves inboard of engines; sweptback fin.
Wing section NACA 23015.5 at root, 23010.5 at tip; dihedral 6°; incidence 4° at root and 0° at tip.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Manually operated trim tabs in elevators, rudder and port aileron; electrically operated single-slotted flaps. Control surface movements: ailerons ±20°; elevator ±30/-15°; rudder ±25°; flap settings 15° for approach, 28° maximum.
STRUCTURE: Light alloy with two-spar wing box; elevators have smooth magnesium alloy skins.
LANDING GEAR: Electrically retractable tricycle type. Main units retract inward into wings, nosewheel aft. Beech oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers in all units. Steerable nosewheel with shimmy damper. Cleveland wheels, with mainwheel tyres size 6.50-8 (8 ply) tubed, pressure 3.59 to 3.96 bar (52 to 56 lb/sq in) or 19.5x6.75-8 (10 ply) tubeless. Nosewheel tyre size 5.00-5 (6 ply) tubed, pressure 3.79 to 4.14 bar (55 to 60 lb/sq in) or 15x6.0-6 (4 ply) tubed. Cleveland ring disc hydraulic brakes. Heavy-duty brakes optional. Parking brake.
POWER PLANT: Two 224 kW (300 hp) Teledyne Continental IO-550-C Raytheon Special Edition flat-six engines, each driving a Hartzell three-blade constant-speed fully feathering metal propeller. The standard fuel system has a usable capacity of 628 litres (166 US gallons; 138 Imp gallons). Optional 'wet wingtip' installation also available, increasing usable capacity to 734 litres (194 US gallons; 161.5 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Standard version has four individual seats in pairs in enclosed, soundproofed, heated and ventilated cabin, with door on starboard side for pilot(s). Single diagonal strap shoulder harness with inertia reel standard on all seats. Pilot's vertically adjusting seat is standard. Co-pilot's vertically adjusting seat, folding fifth and sixth seats, or club seating comprising folding fifth and sixth seats and aft-facing third and fourth seats, are optional. Adjustable rudder pedals (retractable on starboard side). Executive desk available as option with club seating. Baggage compartment in nose. Double passenger/cargo doors on starboard side of cabin (split vertically: forward-hinged at front, aft portion rear-hinged) provide access to space for baggage or cargo behind the third and fourth seats. Pilot's storm window. Openable windows adjacent the third and fourth seats are used for ground ventilation and as emergency exits. Windscreen defrosting standard.
SYSTEMS: Cabin heated by Janitrol 50,000 BTU heater, which serves also for windscreen defrosting. Oxygen system of 1,389 litres (49 cu ft) or 1,814 litres (64 cu ft) capacity optional. Electrical system includes two 28 V 100 A engine-driven alternators with alternator failure lights and two 12 V 25 Ah batteries. Two 100 A alternators optional. Hydraulic system for brakes only. Pneumatic pressure system for air-driven instruments, and optional wing and tail unit de-icing system. Oxygen system, cabin air conditioning and windscreen electric anti-icing optional.
AVIONICS: As for Beech A36 Bonanza, plus radar.
Radar: Honeywell RDR 2000 VP colour weather radar.
EQUIPMENT: Standard equipment includes ultraviolet-proof windscreen and cabin windows, super soundproofing, heated pitot head, instrument panel floodlights, navigation and position lights, steerable taxying light, dual landing lights, heated fuel vents, heated fuel and stall warning vanes and external power socket.
Options include alternate static source, internally illuminated instruments, strobe lights, electric windscreen anti-icing, wing ice detection light, static wicks, leather seat trim, cabin club seating, cockpit relief tube, cabin fire extinguisher and ventilation blower.