Beechcraft Baron 56tc

Twin Piston

The Beechcraft Baron 56TC is a twin-engine piston aircraft that brought turbocharged performance to the light-twin market when it entered production in 1967 as part of the Baron 55/56 family. Powered by two Continental TSIO-520-WB turbocharged engines producing 310 horsepower each, the 56TC was designed to maintain sea-level power up to higher altitudes, giving owner-pilots the ability to cruise efficiently in the flight levels where weather and turbulence are less of a factor. With a maximum takeoff weight just under 6,000 pounds and seating for up to six occupants, it carved out a niche as a capable business and personal transport for those who needed more performance than a naturally aspirated Baron 55 but didn't require the complexity or operating costs of a turboprop. The 56TC's pressurized sibling, the Baron 58P, would later offer even greater high-altitude capability, but the unpressurized 56TC remained popular for its balance of speed, range, and relative simplicity. Cruise speeds typically reach 200 knots true airspeed in the mid-teens, and the aircraft's solid Beechcraft build quality earned it a reputation for reliability in both personal and light charter operations. Today the Baron 56TC remains a fixture in general aviation, valued by pilots who appreciate its twin-engine safety margin, roomy cabin, and ability to operate from shorter runways while still delivering respectable cross-country performance. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.