End of the Line for Bonanza and Baron

Good morning! 

🛩️
-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Textron Grounds Two General Aviation Giants

• Around the Skies: FAA expands uAvionix surface safety network, Boeing scores massive $7B military win, Will supersonic jets power NFL expansion, Cold-weather rules hit Pratt-powered jets, MD-11 grounding extends into peak season

• PilotTube: Backcountry Repairs Return a Stuck Aircraft to Full Flying Form

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Saying Goodbye to the Bonanza and Baron

Textron Aviation is closing a monumental chapter in general aviation as it prepares to end production of the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Baron G58 after current orders are fulfilled. The decision brings an eight-decade run to a close for two aircraft that helped define personal and business flying. With more than 18,000 Bonanzas and 6,000 Barons delivered worldwide, their legacy remains one of power, craftsmanship and remarkable longevity.

Market trends played a clear role. Deliveries of both models slowed significantly in recent years, bottoming out during the COVID-19 pandemic and never fully recovering. Meanwhile competitors like Cirrus surged ahead with strong annual sales across singles and jets. Even so, Textron has assured owners and the American Bonanza Society that parts and engineering support will continue. The thriving aftermarket along with an active owner community signals a long operational future for Bonanzas, Debonairs, Barons and Travel Airs.

The Bonanza’s roots stretch back to 1945 when Walter Beech envisioned a fast six-seat aircraft shaped by wartime aerodynamic advances. It evolved into civilian and military variants ranging from the Debonair to the QU-22B surveillance platform. Its reputation for range and reliability drew pilots into ambitious adventures, including Adrian Eichhorn’s global circumnavigations and north pole crossing. The Baron built its own legacy of rugged capability and twin-engine confidence, earning praise for a design that simply works across weather, payload and backcountry demands.

Textron is framing the move as a strategic shift that allows greater focus on the incoming Beechcraft Denali turboprop while it evaluates future investments in the piston segment. Though the production lines will go quiet, the story of these aircraft is far from over. Their history, capability and devoted pilot base ensure they will continue carving their place in the skies for decades to come.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ The FAA is accelerating its surface safety push with a contract to equip 55 more control towers with uAvionix’s FlightLine SAI system. The upgrade will give controllers real-time views of ADS-B equipped aircraft and vehicles, with all installations required within 12 months. TechOps vehicles will also receive new transmitters as part of a broader modernization effort. The award builds on recent FAA approvals and growing interest in next-generation surface surveillance tools.

🛩️ Boeing has landed more than $7.15 billion in new military contracts that will help shape U.S. airpower through the next decade. The Army’s award funds fresh AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, Longbow trainers and extensive support equipment, with production running into 2032 and backed by major foreign military sales. The Air Force contract adds new production aircraft and key mobility data systems, extending work in Seattle through 2029. Together the deals strengthen Boeing’s position in the next wave of advanced combat and mobility aircraft.

🛩️ Congress may soon revisit the ban on overland supersonic flight and the NFL is watching with interest. Boom Supersonic’s recent breakthroughs, including boomless supersonic tests and the promise of Overture cutting transatlantic trips in half, have caught the league’s attention. Faster travel could ease the strain of international games as the NFL expands its global footprint. Capacity and cost remain major hurdles but if supersonic aircraft return they could change how pro football travels the world.

🛩️ Airbus has imposed new cold-weather takeoff limits on aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, restricting departures in severe icing, freezing fog and very low visibility. The company has not detailed the exact concern but says it is working closely with airlines while Pratt develops a fix. The policy affects A320neo and A220 models already navigating widespread GTF engine inspections. The move highlights how extreme winter conditions can test even the most modern commercial powerplants.

🛩️ UPS’s MD-11 fleet will stay grounded through the holiday rush as the FAA continues its airworthiness directive following the fatal crash of Flight 2976. Boeing is developing inspection and repair procedures that could take months according to an internal UPS memo. The carrier says contingency plans will keep packages moving but the tri-jet is unlikely to return soon. The NTSB investigation continues as footage highlights the catastrophic wing fire and engine separation that brought the aircraft down.

PilotTube

This video documents the recovery of Kenny and Ellen’s turbine-powered “Super Seawind,” which was stranded after a landing gear failure during a water-to-land transition. One week later they returned with the needed parts, completed field repairs and relaunched the aircraft for a smooth flight home. The mission showcases the resourcefulness and adventure that define backcountry aviation.

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