Cessna 336 Skymaster

Cessna · United States · first flew 1961 · light aircraft

The Cessna 336 Skymaster was the original fixed-gear version of Cessna's centreline-thrust push-pull twin, offering twin-engine safety without the dangerous asymmetric handling of a conventional twin following engine failure.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.64 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Fixed-undercarriage twin with a distinctive centreline push-pull engine arrangement — one engine in the nose, one in the tail boom
Twin tail booms extending aft from the wing roots, joined by a horizontal stabiliser
Solves the asymmetric-thrust problem of conventional twins: both engines on the aircraft centreline

The twin-boom high-wing configuration with push-pull engines is wholly unique and unmistakable; the fixed tricycle undercarriage distinguishes the 336 from the otherwise similar retractable 337.

Specifications

The Cessna 336 Skymaster has a length of 8.64 m (28 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 5 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1961 and certified in 1963, the 336 was developed to address the high accident rate among single-engine pilots transitioning to conventional twins; its centreline thrust meant the aircraft flew symmetrically on one engine. Production ran for two years before Cessna introduced the retractable-gear 337 as its successor.

Variants

The 336 was produced only in the original fixed-gear configuration from 1963 to 1964; the retractable Model 337 Skymaster was the direct continuation.

Where you'll see it

Approximately 195 examples of the 336 were built; the type is rare today with most survivors in North American private use.

Related aircraft

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