Beechcraft 58

Twin Piston

The Beechcraft Baron 58 is a light twin-engine piston aircraft that has been a mainstay of general aviation since its introduction in 1969. Built by Beechcraft (now part of Textron Aviation), the Baron 58 evolved from the earlier Model 55 Baron and became the most successful variant in the Baron family, remaining in production for over four decades. Its combination of cabin-class comfort, respectable cruise speeds around 200 knots, and twin-engine redundancy made it a favorite among owner-pilots, flight schools teaching multi-engine ratings, and small charter operators. Powered by two Continental IO-520 or IO-550 engines producing 285 to 300 horsepower each, the Baron 58 seats up to six occupants and offers a useful load sufficient for full fuel and passengers on typical missions. The aircraft's low-wing design, retractable landing gear, and counter-rotating propellers (on later models) provide stable handling characteristics and reduced pilot workload compared to earlier light twins. With a service ceiling around 20,000 feet and range exceeding 1,000 nautical miles, the Baron 58 carved out a niche as a capable cross-country traveler that could access smaller airports inaccessible to jets. The type remains popular in the used aircraft market, valued for its rugged construction, parts availability, and relatively straightforward maintenance compared to more complex twins. While production ended in the 2010s, hundreds of Baron 58s continue flying worldwide in roles ranging from air taxi operations to personal transportation and pilot training. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.