Beechcraft Sierra
Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1970 · light aircraft
The Beechcraft Sierra B24R is the retractable-undercarriage development of the Musketeer/Sundowner line, aimed at pilots wanting the step-up performance of retractable gear while remaining in Beechcraft's entry-level family.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Retractable-gear four-seater based on the Musketeer/Sundowner airframe — the performance-oriented variant of the line
- 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 providing notably better cruise speeds than the fixed-gear Sundowner
- Landing gear doors cover the wheel wells cleanly; otherwise nearly identical in profile to the Sundowner
In flight the retracted gear makes the Sierra look cleaner under the wing than the Sundowner; on the ground the retractable main gear doors are the key distinguishing feature from the otherwise identical Sundowner.
Specifications
- The Beechcraft Sierra has a length of 7.85 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.98 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 258 km/h (160 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 3 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the Musketeer Super A24R and renamed Sierra in 1970, the type offered a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 with injected fuel and retractable gear giving cruise speeds of around 258 km/h. Production ran alongside the Sundowner until 1983 when Beechcraft ended the Musketeer family.
Variants
Produced as the B24R Sierra; earlier versions were designated A24R Musketeer Super III before renaming.
Where you'll see it
Operated by private owners and some flight schools in North America and exported to Europe; the Sierra's retractable gear and extra performance made it attractive to pilots building towards twin-engine ratings.
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