The Beech 58 Baron is a low-wing five/six-seats twin-engine business and
utility aircraft also used as an advanced pilot training aircraft. Beech
Aircraft Corporation introduced in 1960 the Model 55 Baron as a
development of the Model 95 Travel Air with swept tail, more powerful
engines with streamlined engine cowlings, etc. The prototype Model 55
Baron, N9695R c/n TC-1 initially designated C95A later Model 95-55, was
flown for the first time on 29 February 1960. The Model 95-55 was
powered by two 260 hp Continental IO-470 engines. The Beech 55 Baron was
placed in production with the first deliveries following in November
1960. The initial production model was a four/five-seater. A military
trainer and communications version is the T-42A Cochise. The Model 55 Baron
was developed further and the model 58 Baron was introduced in 1970. The
Model 58 Baron has an elongated cabin with huge cargo doors and was
powered by two 285 hp Continental IO-520 engines. Over 6690 Beech
Baron's of all variants are built. On 8 February 1980, the Beech
Aircraft Corporation became a subsidiary of the Raytheon Company, the
aircraft are therefore also known as Raytheon Beech. In 2006, Raytheon
sold Raytheon Aircraft to Goldman Sachs creating Hawker Beechcraft. The
entry into bankruptcy of Hawker Beechcraft on 3 May 2012 ended with its
emergence on 16 February 2013 as a new entity: Beechcraft Corporation. The
ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Beechcraft 58 Baron is BE58
The 1990-built Beechcraft 58 Baron s/n TH-1609 was registered F-GKZC (F-GIIC ntu) in France with CM-CIC Bail S.A., Paris,
on 27 December 1990. The aircraft was registered with SAMAG, Merville, on 2 June 1994 and cancelled the same day from the register.
On 12 July 1994, the aircraft was registered PH-BYA in the Netherlands with KLM Luchtvaartschool BV, Eelde.
Beech 58 Baron PH-BYA is one of three operated by the KLM Luchtvaart School at Groningen
Airport Eelde in the Netherlands. The KLS was renamed to KLM Flight Academy. A major part
of the flying-program is flown on the simulators at Groningen Airport Eelde instead of on
the real aeroplanes.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
