Beech C33A Debonair
The Beech C33A Debonair was manufactured from 1966 until 1967, serial number CE1 through CE179. It is a single-engine, piston aircraft configured as a cantilever low-wing aircraft with a conventional tail. Distinguishing features are: retractable landing gear, constant-speed propeller. Model C33A Debonair seats up to 3 passengers and 1 pilot.
Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
Wing span: 32 ft 10 in
Length: 26 ft 8 in
Height: 8 ft 3 in
Interior Dimensions
Cabin Height: 4 ft 2 In
Cabin Width: 3 ft 6 in
Cabin Length: 6 ft 1 in
Baggage door: 3 ft x 3 ft 1 in
Weights
Max TO weight: 3,300 lb
Empty Weight: 1,775 lbs
Maximum Payload: 1,412
Fuel capacity: 50 gal
Engine
Manufacturer: Continental Motors
Model: IO-520-B
Horsepower: 285 hp
Overhaul (HT): 1700hr TBO
Standard Avionics
Digital Nav/Coms
2-axis autopilot
GS/DME/ADF
ADS-B In/Out
Performance
| Horsepower: 285.00 | Gross Weight: 3,300 |
| Top Speed: 181 | Empty Weight: 1,775 |
| Cruise Speed: 174 | Fuel Capacity: 50 |
| Stall Speed (dirty): 53 | Range: 520 |
| Rate of Climb: 1,200 | Rate of Climb (One Engine): |
| Service Ceiling: 18,300 | Ceiling (One Engine): |
| Takeoff | Landing |
| Ground Roll: 880 | Ground Roll 632 |
| Takeoff Roll Over 50 ft: 1,225 | Landing Roll Over 50 ft: 1,150 |
History
A major upgrade to the Debonair occurred for the 1965-1967 model years when the 35-C33 inherited the Bonanza’s extended fuselage (19 inches). The optional third window was the same design as that of the N35 and P35, and the small fillet forward of the vertical stabilizer was replaced by a graceful dorsal fin.
Inside the cabin, the rear seats were mounted on adjustable tracks to match the front seats, and the rear seat backs were adjustable. Beech also offered four color combinations for exterior paint, and the Bonanza’s new, more streamlined cabin assist step was standard. The control wheel was redesigned, maximum gross weight increased 50 pounds, and various improvements to the heating/ventilation systems were made. The 35-C33 was the first Debonair to approach the Bonanza in appearance and interior appointments, and customers bought 305 of the much-improved Beechcraft.
Another major improvement came in 1966 when Beech engineers made the Continental IO-520-B engine standard on the Model 35-C33A Debonair, beginning in February. The six-cylinder powerplant developed 285 horsepower at 2,700 RPM, and both takeoff and maximum continuous power were the same. The cylinders featured nitrided barrels for improved durability, pistons were lubricated by squirting oil, and an oil filter was installed along with a decongealing oil radiator. The C33A also featured the new engine cradle used on the S35 that was canted downward two degrees and offset to the right two-and-a-half degrees to help reduce rudder forces during takeoff and climb.
The engine change was made to offer owners of older Debonairs the opportunity to trade their Beechcraft for one that was nearly equal to the new V35 Bonanza, thereby enjoying higher performance and overall value. Another reason was market-driven: The C33A would compete more favorably with the Piper PA-24-260, introduced in 1965, that featured a 260-horsepower Lycoming O-540-E4A5 engine.
To make the C33A stand out in a crowd, the airplane was given a unique paint scheme. The IO-520-B-powered C33A was manufactured for only two years, 1965-1966, and 179 of the airplanes were delivered.
