Cherokee 6 (260HP) Vs Bonanza A36 Which one is better?

FloridaPilot

FloridaPilot

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I will go first!

I have been in both airplanes and I can honestly say I like the interior of the A36 a lot better. The reason why is because you can take out the 4 seats and use that space for anything you can think of. My buddy uses it for his paddle boards and his fold up bicycles. You can also have the seats in the club position or the forward facing position which is a lot of flexibility for your mission.

Which airplane you think is better Cherokee 6 or the Bonanza A36?
 
Is the Piper Six cabin wider than the A36 in the pilot and right seat side?
 
I like 'em both! But IMO the W&B work out better in the 6 because of the additional cargo hold between the firewall and cockpit. Well at least in a Lance, I've flown a 6 but don't remember if it had one too. But yeah, the A36 is a nice ride.
 
Why not compare against the 300hp PA32?

That said, I think most would prefer the Bo but I do like the flying SUV quality of the 6.
 
Define your mission requirements first, then figure out what's best for you.

What is your mission requirement? Carrying people? How many? Carrying stuff? How about maintenance budget? An A36 is a retract, a Cherokee 6 is not - that difference alone will drive costs. Your training and background? Need for speed?

What's best for me is likely not best for you. It was right for me and my specific needs - and would be for some others - but a lot of people would not find it acceptable.
 
kgruber said:
The Cherokee is bigger, easier to load, and has the control feel of a truck.

The Bonanza carries a big load, doors are smaller, and flies like a sports car.
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and the Bo is pretty darn easy to land.
 
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Third row in an A36 pretty useless. Easy to end up in a aft CG deal.
 
Bo is prettier, flies nicer. It's narrower, has cg challenges, and is more expensive. The PA-32 is a minivan of a plane, super useful, but not as pleasing to fly. Generally cheaper.


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I flew at an FBO that had two Lances on 135 and we used them for training, like a person working on their CFI and/or Commercial. Fun to fly that thing doing ground reference maneuvers down low. A lot of fun.
 
gsengle said:
Bo is prettier, flies nicer. It's narrower, has cg challenges, and is more expensive. The PA-32 is a minivan of a plane, super useful, but not as pleasing to fly. Generally cheaper...
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I thought the CG issues were mostly resolved with the A36.
 
mscard88 said:
I like 'em both! But IMO the W&B work out better in the 6 because of the additional cargo hold between the firewall and cockpit. Well at least in a Lance, I've flown a 6 but don't remember if it had one too. But yeah, the A36 is a nice ride.
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Yeah, with the Piper 6 it does have it

labbadabba said:
Why not compare against the 300hp PA32?

That said, I think most would prefer the Bo but I do like the flying SUV quality of the 6.
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Because there are 300HP Bo A36's but you would have to get the 550 upgrade.

wsuffa said:
Define your mission requirements first, then figure out what's best for you.

What is your mission requirement? Carrying people? How many? Carrying stuff? How about maintenance budget? An A36 is a retract, a Cherokee 6 is not - that difference alone will drive costs. Your training and background? Need for speed?

What's best for me is likely not best for you. It was right for me and my specific needs - and would be for some others - but a lot of people would not find it acceptable.
Click to expand...

I just want to hear other ideas and opinions. I'm a renter and my mission changes pretty much every time I fly. Retractable gear airplanes cost more during the annual in theory but it shouldn't be a deal breaker if budgeted properly.
 
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No one is saying the A36 isn't a fine flying mo-chine eman, but you just have to watch the C&G if you load the back up. Honest injun.

note: no disrespect for Indians intended nor implied in this post. Whew!
 
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FloridaPilot said:
I will go first!

I have been in both airplanes and I can honestly say I like the interior of the A36 a lot better. The reason why is because you can take out the 4 seats and use that space for anything you can think of. ?
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At least in the PA-32s I'm used to, the rear seats come out easily. Haven't tried the middle seats.

FloridaPilot said:
Is the Piper Six cabin wider than the A36 in the pilot and right seat side?
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Yes, by a good margin. The PA-32 is one of the most roomy and comfortable aircraft in its class. There's no rubbing of shoulders and elbows!
 
I have been in a couple of Bonanza's. Never really flew them.
However, I still hang out a fair amount on Beechtalk (I joined when I was considering a Beech plane).
The majority of the A36 do not have CG issues. The V-tails depending on mission/loading and options have a tendency for after loading problems. The G36 on the other hand has a weight problem...

All very nice planes though.

Tim
 
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Having owned both....the PA32-260 and a V35A (similar to the A36)....

The Six is the Chevy truck. Hauls lots with lots of storage space with that up front baggage compartment. Not very nice to look at or nice on the fit and finish and is slower....typical Six (non retract) cruise speeds are 135-145 kts dependent on whether it's the 260 or 300 HP version.

The Beech A36 (retract) is nice on the fit and finish and better on performance but, lacks on the load carrying and space. It's smaller and much more expensive. The 36's do have CG issues when those rear seats are occupied by real adults. They're ok for kids and bags but not nearly equal to what can go back there with the PA32.

I'd say they really are not comparable for what they do.....If you need the load carrying capability and not going further than 300-400 miles the PA32 is your choice.

If you need more range and can live without the additional volume and payload weight....the Beech is preferable. IMHO.
 
No doubt the PA32 will carry more and the pax in the back will enjoy the extra room, especially that third row
 

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labbadabba said:
This was kind of my thought as well. They're both in the same class but they're are apples and oranges.
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FWIW....I Sold my Six cause I didn't need a pick em up truck and wanted something a little sexier & faster. :D

Both are great airplanes.....and I'd own another Six if the need arises.
 
Bring on the flames

Where are you based? I'd look at the PA32-300 vs A36. It gets hot here in the summer!
 
tspear said:
I have been in a couple of Bonanza's. Never really flew them.
However, I still hang out a fair amount on Beechtalk (I joined when I was considering a Beech plane).
The majority of the A36 do not have CG issues. The V-tails depending on mission/loading and options have a tendency for after loading problems. The G36 on the other hand has a weight problem...

All very nice planes though.

Tim
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OK, makes sense as long as you've "been in a couple"...:rolleyes:

I have hundreds of hours as PIC in both, that's where my experience is coming from. :yesnod:
 
eman1200 said:
1) yes. no. donut.
2) I'm just looking for feedback from people IN THE KNOW, not people passing on feedback they've read on the internet.
3) so when u flew the A36, did you have to manage w&b for your flight due to it being an A36?
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Yeah but nothing unusual, we put some gear in far back so we wouldn't be nose heavy. But the pilot did talk to me about the challenges of loading, because I've been looking at 36s and Saratogas as my kids get bigger... I will say I love how the Bonanzas handle and land. But would probably go Saratoga for my needs/budget.


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The 6 has a nice side baggage/rear door for loading/unloading stuff and people. And more room between shoulders. But slower and thirsty. No gear to worry about. Will you be happy at 13x kts with all the room you could want, or at 150+ kts and being snug with only only door.

Best way to put it. Are you buying a plane for your pleasure (A36) or for your passengers (6/260)?
 
charheep said:
The 6 has a nice side baggage/rear door for loading/unloading stuff and people. And more room between shoulders. But slower and thirsty. No gear to worry about. Will you be happy at 13x kts with all the room you could want, or at 150+ kts and being snug with only only door.

Best way to put it. Are you buying a plane for your pleasure (A36) or for your passengers (6/260)?
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Or just go with a Lance for not much more than a 6 and get (reasonable) speed and payload...
 
One other small point, in general, own both for a few years and which one traditionally holds a higher resell value?

Lot of time in a Six
Lot of time in a Bonanza

I own a Bonanza
 
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