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Aircraft Review: Beechcraft Bonanza G36 by PAE By Jack Thompson Introduction Introduction & History Ah, the Beechcraft Bonanza, an aircraft that needs no introduction for anyone who’s spent time around general aviation. The Bonanza has been soaring through the skies since the late 1940s, and for good reason. It’s fast, sleek, and dependable, designed to offer pilots a bit of fun and a whole lot of performance. In fact, I first flew a Bonanza back in the early ‘eighties, and let me tell you, it’s the kind of plane that sticks with you. Over the years, the Bonanza has evolved through several models, but the G36 is one of the standouts. Introduced in 1968, this six-seater with its IO-550 engine packs a punch and delivers a pretty solid flying experience. And with the addition of the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit in 2005, the G36 has managed to stay right up to date, unlike my fashion sense! Whether you’re looking for a versatile utility aircraft or something that can take you from one end of the country to the other in style, the Bonanza has always managed to deliver. Documentation & First Impressions For those who take the time to read, the G36 comes with some handy documentation. You’ve got a profile chart from the American Bonanza Society and the performance section of the pilot’s handbook, which is a nice touch. There’s no full manual, but if you’ve flown a Bonanza before, you’ll likely know your way around. With all that out of the way, let’s see how PAE’s version of the G36 holds up in X-Plane 12. When you first fire up X-Plane, you’ve got four variants to choose from: normally aspirated and turbocharged versions, each with or without tip tanks. So, whether you’re planning short hops or longer cross-country flights, there’s a variant to suit your needs. For the liveries… well, there are just three to choose from (plus a paint kit), one US-registered and two European options. Not bad, but I have to say, there’s no Aussie livery! We might be standing upside down here in Oz, but don’t forget about us next time, eh? Exterior Model & Texturing When it comes to the exterior, the G36 Bonanza is immediately recognisable, and that’s a good start. The shape, the lines, it’s all pretty much there, and it gives off the right vibe from the moment you see it in X-Plane. The landing gear, in particular, stands out with some well-executed texturing, showing real attention to detail in places that matter. From what I’ve experienced while testing out the G36 over my home airport is that the overall proportions are solid, and while there’s room for a bit more polish in the finer details, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this plane looks like a Bonanza should. The empennage and wings all look the part, and sure, a few small tweaks here and there wouldn’t hurt, but nothing that detracts from the overall visual appeal. In flight or sitting on the ramp, the aircraft gives you that classic Bonanza presence. For those looking for a familiar and iconic GA aircraft, PAE's model does the job. With a bit of refinement in future updates, it could really stand out even more, but as it is, it’s more than capable of delivering a satisfying experience. Interior Model & Texturing Stepping inside the G36, I was greeted with a cockpit that felt familiar, and that’s exactly what you want from a model like this. The general layout is spot on and while there are some areas that could use a bit of extra detail, the overall design gets the essentials right. The seats look good and match the real-world photos pretty well, though they do have a slightly rigid appearance (if you have back issues, bring a cushion). There’s not much in the way of animations beyond the rear doors, but once you’re settled into the cockpit and focused on flying, the interior more than does the job. In all, it feels like home. The panel itself is nicely textured and really does give off that Bonanza vibe. Sure, there’s always room for improvement, like the yokes, which are a little shinier than I remember in the real thing, but it’s not something that’ll break the immersion. The rudder pedals although detailed, could be a tad bigger, but unless you’re staring directly at them, it’s a minor thing. In short, the interior captures the essence of the G36. It’s got the right feel, and with a bit of refinement, it could really shine. As it stands, it’s a solid starting point that’ll keep most pilots, me included, happy. Avionics & Systems One of the standout features of this G36 is the avionics. You’ve got a slightly souped-up version of the Laminar G1000, complete with a custom startup that adds a bit of extra immersion. For those familiar with the G1000, you’ll feel right at home, nothing too fancy, but it’s intuitive and gets you flying without fuss. Some of the circuit breakers are functional, which is a neat detail, though not all of them are. But honestly, the core systems you need for a solid flight experience are well-represented here, and they mirror the real aircraft’s layout quite closely. It’s not the deepest systems modelling you’ll find, but for what’s on offer, and for the price, it more than gets the job done. Flight Dynamics Now, here’s where this G36 really shows its true colours, the flight dynamics are an absolute treat. I took the Bonanza for a spin from Kempsey to Port Macquarie, and let me tell you, it handled like a dream. Whether you’re cruising over the red centre or flying along the coast, it’s got that snappy, responsive feel you’d expect from a Bonanza. From takeoff to landing, it just feels right. The power settings are spot on, give or take a smidge of manifold pressure here and there, but nothing that’ll make you sweat. Takeoff is straightforward, with the rudder offering just the right amount of authority without feeling like you’re wrestling a croc. The ailerons and rudder are linked beautifully, so keeping the G36 in check through steep turns or a chandelle is a breeze, 45, 50, or even 60 degrees, it holds steady like a true workhorse. Stalls are recreated well, with the customary buffeting and wing drop, giving a realistic feel during those moments. In cruise, the G36 remains steady and responsive, handling beautifully through steep turns or more complex manoeuvres. The power settings are accurate enough, and the plane feels like it’s in its element whether you're making small adjustments or just enjoying the ride. When it came to managing the power and speed for approach, I had no trouble. With half flaps and the gear down, it settled comfortably around 110 knots, just a touch higher than the real thing, but nothing that’ll pull you out of the experience. All up, the flight dynamics are the star of the show. Whether you’re doing a quick hop between bush strips or tackling something more challenging, the G36 feels natural. If you’ve flown a real Bonanza, you’ll feel right at home, and if you haven’t, this will give you a solid taste of what it’s like! Night Lighting The night lighting is solid overall. The panel is nicely illuminated, and you’ve got a few switches and knobs to tinker with, so you can set it up just the way you like it. The cabin lighting, though, is a bit on the dull side, especially when compared to some of the other GA aircraft I’ve flown. A touch more wattage wouldn’t hurt! The exterior lights are spot on though and really get the job done. Sound When it comes to sound, PAE's G36 does a pretty good job, especially where it counts. The engine sounds are absolutely top-notch. That throaty IO550 roar is music to the ears, walk around the plane and you’ll hear all the right notes. From the muffled hum behind the engine to the deep rumble up front, it’s clear the developer nailed this part. Inside the cockpit, the engine sounds are close enough to the real thing, especially at idle, and once you push the power up, it delivers that satisfying growl. The auxiliary fuel pump sounds a bit tinny, but it gets the job done. Open the pilot-side window, and you’ll even get some wind noise, though there’s a bit of a delay with that, which makes you wonder if the wind’s just catching up with you! The other sounds, switches, flap motors, and landing gear are functional and do the job, though they don’t quite have the unique Bonanza character just yet. The landing gear sound could use some tweaking, as it’s a bit loud in comparison to the rest, but once you’re in the air, it’s not something you’ll dwell on. All in all, the sound package is solid where it matters most. The exterior sounds, in particular, are fantastic and really add to the immersion. With a few updates to the interior sounds, this could easily become a standout feature. Final Thoughts At the end of the day, this G36 Bonanza brings plenty to the table for sim pilots. It’s fast, responsive, and has that lovely balance of performance that’ll keep you grinning whether you’re cruising over the outback or weaving through some tighter bush strips. There’s still a bit of room for polish in the modelling and sound department, but what’s here lays a solid foundation. The engine sounds really give this plane a lot of character, and the flight dynamics make it a joy to fly. If you’re after a piston single that’s not a Cirrus and carries that classic Beechcraft charm, this Bonanza ticks all the right boxes. And with a few updates down the line, there’s no doubt this aircraft can grow into something even more special. As it stands, PAE’s G36 is a versatile, fun aircraft, and it’s well worth adding to your X-Plane hangar. ________________________ Beechcraft Bonanza G36 by PAE is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here: Beechcraft Bonanza G36 Priced at $29.99 Features X-Plane G1000 enhanced to show Annunciators in the PFD and custom Start up sequence Working Circuit Breakers Animated Doors VR Compatible PBR Materials Custom Sounds Rain / Defroster on the Windshields Avitab Integration - Tablet to Enable and Disable The Plane has been tested and it matches the POH performance numbers for the LOP settings. Requirements X-Plane 12 Windows, Mac, or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Download Size: 606 MB Current version: 1.1 - June 10th, 2024 Review System Specifications AMD Ryzen 7 5800X – 32GB RAM - Nvidia RTX 3080 – Windows 11 __________________________________ Scenery Review by Jack Thompson 30th September 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copying of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions).

NEWS! - Aircraft Released : Beechcraft Bonanza G36 by PAE The Beechcraft Bonanza is one of my most loved aircraft (Carenado F33A), but how about a G1000 infused Bonanza. The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 is the G1000 variant of the popular Bonanza A36. It started production in 2005, and this model is meant to simulate the 2020 version. As a side note PAE are going to release a F33A version in the future (plus a Analog version of the G36). PAE Addons already have a record in creating excellent Freeware aircraft, now here is their first Payware release... Powered by a custom Laminar Research default X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics system, this release is a modern take on an old but well loved aircraft. Features... X-Plane G1000 enhanced to show Annunciators in the PFD and custom Start up sequence Working Circuit Breakers Animated Doors VR Compatible PBR Materials Custom Sounds Rain / Defroster on the Windshields Avitab Integration - Tablet to Enable and Disable The Plane has been tested and it matches the POH performance numbers for the LOP settings. Included in the Package 3 Liveries Performance Charts 3D Paint Kit Optional - IO-550N - Turbo Normalized Version for the performance Optional - With Tip Tanks - for managing the really long trips This is an X-Plane 12 aircraft only, and not available for X-Plane 11. Images are courtesy of PAE Addons ___________________________ Yes! The Beechcraft Bonanza G36 by PAE is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Beechcraft Bonanza G36 Price is US$29.95 Your Price: US$19.99 You Save:$10.00(33%) Requirements X-Plane 12 Windows, Mac or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Current version : 1.0 (May 28 2024) ___________________________ News by Stephen Dutton 30th May 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved