Beech 18

Piston • twin engine • Low Wing • Retractable gear

Range Visualization

Origin: · click map to move · nm at current load

Payload vs. Range

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Default: 190 lbs (FAA standard)

Default: 30 lbs

Passengers
lbs @ lbs / pax
0 lbs
Fuel on board
gal
+ Weight
Range
Available Range / nm
Mission capable — Aircraft can handle the current load with full fuel tanks.
Fuel tradeoff required — You'll need to leave gallons of fuel behind ( gal usable for nm range).
Over max gross weight — Reduce payload by lbs to safely operate this aircraft.

Mission Profile

183
KTAS
Cruise Speed
8
Occupants
985
nm
Max Range
1744
lbs
Wet Payload

Estimated Ownership Costs

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About the Beech 18

Key Features for GA Buyers

The Beechcraft Model 18, affectionately known as the “Twin Beech,” is an aviation icon that served continuously for over 30 years. It offers a unique combination of Art Deco styling, heavy-hauling capability, and the distinct rumble of Pratt & Whitney radial engines.

  • Classic Appeal: For collectors and enthusiasts, the Beech 18 is a definitive classic that draws crowds at any airshow. It is often described as the “DC-3 for the private pilot.”
  • Heavy Hauler: With a useful load often exceeding 2,500 lbs (depending on the variant and fuel load), it can carry 6–8 passengers, baggage, and full fuel with ease.
  • Modern Conversions: Many airframes have been upgraded with tricycle gear (Volpar), turbine engines, or fuselage extensions, though the purist’s choice remains the tailwheel piston variant.

Trade-offs

  • Demanding Ground Handling: As a large, heavy taildragger with a castering tailwheel, it requires respectful footwork and specific training to manage crosswinds and ground loops. Runway excursions are a known risk for unprepared pilots.
  • Maintenance Intensity: The Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engines are reliable but thirsty (~40 GPH combined) and oil-intensive. Maintenance on a vintage twin—particularly dealing with corrosion, spar X-rays, and complex landing gear systems—can be costly.
  • Cockpit Ergonomics: The original cockpit layout is of 1930s vintage, meaning it can be cramped and non-standard compared to modern aircraft, though many have been updated with modern avionics.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions

Wingspan
47.67 ft
Length
34.2 ft
Height
9.6 ft

Weights

Max Takeoff Weight
8,750 lbs
Max Landing Weight
8,750 lbs
Useful Load
2,980 lbs
Fuel Capacity
206 gal

Performance

Cruise Speed
183 KTAS
Range
985 NM
Service Ceiling
20,500 ft
Rate of Climb
1190 fpm

Engines

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