Cessna 336

Twin Piston

The Cessna 336 Skymaster introduced one of general aviation's most distinctive configurations: a centerline-thrust push-pull twin with one engine on the nose and another at the tail. Certified in 1963, the 336 was Cessna's answer to the asymmetric-thrust handling challenges that made conventional light twins unforgiving during single-engine operations. By mounting both Continental IO-360 engines along the fuselage centerline, Cessna eliminated the critical engine problem and the need for aggressive rudder inputs on engine failure—a revolutionary safety feature for the owner-flown twin market. The fixed tricycle landing gear and relatively benign handling made it accessible to pilots stepping up from singles, though the rear engine's pusher propeller and unique cooling requirements demanded careful operating technique. Production lasted only two years before Cessna replaced it with the retractable-gear 337 Super Skymaster in 1965, making the 336 a short-lived but historically significant design. The type's 4,200-pound gross weight, 173-knot cruise, and 140-knot max structural cruising speed positioned it as a capable cross-country traveler for the era, while its unconventional silhouette earned it the nickname "Mixmaster" among pilots. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the most frequently observed.