Beechcraft Be-22

Single Piston

The Beechcraft Sundowner is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft introduced in 1972 as part of Beech's effort to compete in the personal and training aircraft market alongside Cessna and Piper. Designated the Model 23 (later BE-22 under ICAO), the Sundowner was marketed as a stable, docile trainer with a roomy cabin and excellent visibility, qualities that made it popular with flight schools and private owners seeking a forgiving handling companion. Powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 engine, the Sundowner cruises comfortably around 117 knots and offers a useful load near 1,000 pounds, making it practical for cross-country trips with full fuel and passengers. Its wide-track landing gear and benign stall characteristics earned it a reputation as one of the easiest taildraggers to land, though it sacrificed some speed compared to its Piper Arrow and Cessna Cardinal competitors. Production ran until 1983, with approximately 1,400 Sundowners built. The type remains a fixture at smaller airports and flight training operations, valued for its solid construction, low operating costs, and gentle flight manners. SkyMeter has tracked 7 flights across 2 airframes and 1 operators, with TEXTRON AVIATION INC the largest observed operator.