Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide
Beechcraft C23 Sundowner · Model Guide
Overview
The Beechcraft C23 Sundowner is a four-seat, fixed-gear piston single built 1974-1983, with a 180-hp engine (Lycoming O-360-A4K per a 1980 review) and a 2450 lb gross weight. It is roomy and rugged rather than fast. Used examples have sold for less than comparable Piper Archers.
- Roomy cabin and rugged build (stressed to six positive and three negative Gs), but slower: about 119 kt at 75% power versus 129 kt for a Piper Archer.
- Gross weight is 2450 lb with about 56-57 gallons usable fuel. Full tanks limit what the seats can carry; the baggage area takes 270 lb.
- A 1986 article put used Archers at $8,000 to $10,000 more than comparable Sundowners, so the Sundowner can be the lower-cost buy.
- Before buying, check the stabilator hinge rivets, the nose shimmy damper, and how the fuel gauge reads against the tank tabs.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 52 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Length (ft) ·
- 25.7
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 32.8
- Tail height (ft) ·
- 8.2
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 180
- Fuel usable (gal) ·
- 56
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 58
- Baggage capacity (lb) ·
- 270
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,450
Performance
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 10
- Best glide speed (kt) ·
- 78
- Endurance no reserve hrs ·
- 5.5
- Approach speed no flaps (kt) ·
- 73
- Range at 65pct power min (nm) ·
- 550
- Cruise speed 75pct power (kt) ·
- 119
- Approach speed full flaps (kt) ·
- 65
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 118
- VS_KTS ·
- 62
- VX_KTS ·
- 69
- VY_KTS ·
- 75
- VFE_KTS ·
- 96
- VNE_KTS ·
- 152
- VNO_KTS ·
- 136
- VSO_KTS ·
- 52
Weight & balance
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,450
- Empty weight lowest (lb) ·
- 1,480.1
- Unusable fuel m1358 (gal) ·
- 7.8
- Empty weight highest (lb) ·
- 1,645.6
- Unusable fuel typical (gal) ·
- 2.6
How fast is the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner?
A 1986 article gave the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner about 119 kt at 75 percent power, versus 129 kt for the Piper Archer. A 1980 review called it between 10 and 17 knots slower than the Archer at normal cruise.
How much fuel does the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner carry?
One 1979 Beechcraft C23 Sundowner card lists 58 gallons total and 56 usable, with 10 GPH and 5.5 hours endurance with no reserve. A 1980 review gives 57 usable gallons.
What are the key speeds for the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner?
On one 1979 airplane's card, the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner has Vy 75 kt, Vs 62 kt, Vso 52 kt, Vfe 96 kt, Vno 136 kt and Vne 152 kt. Best glide is 78 kt.
Is the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner cheaper to buy than an Archer?
A 1986 article said comparably equipped Archers sold for $8,000 to $10,000 more than a Beechcraft C23 Sundowner on the used market. The Sundowner cost about $4,000 more when new.
What is the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide?
The Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide is a model guide for the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner, dated 2026.
What year was the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide published?
The Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide — the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner model guide on file — is dated 2026.
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More Beechcraft C23 Sundownermanuals & documents
See all 13 →- WEIGHT & BALANCE INFORMATION-BEECHCRAFT SUNDOWNERWeight & Balance
- AIRWORTHINESS BULLETIN Beechcraft 19, 23 and 24 Series Stabilator Hinge – Fastener ShearingService Bulletins
- Beechcraft C23 Custom/SundownerSystems Description
- Illustrated Parts CatalogParts Catalog
- AAIB Bulletin No: 4/96 Ref: EW/G96/02/11Service Bulletins
- BEECHCRAFT Sundowner 180 C23 (M-1285 and After) Emergency ProceduresChecklist
- Airworthiness Directives for Beechcraft C-23 SundownerAirworthiness Directives
- BEECHCRAFT Sundowner 180 C23 (M-1285 and After)Maintenance Manual
- SunclownerPilot's Operating Handbook
- Pilot's Operating Handbook for Beechcraft Sundowner 180 C23Pilot's Operating Handbook
- CHECKLIST FOR SUNDOWNER C23 VFR N6012JPilot's Operating Handbook
- Performance Data for the Beechcraft SundownerPerformance Data
Related documents
- Airworthiness Directives for Beechcraft C-23 SundownerBeechcraft C23 Sundowner · Airworthiness Directives
- Performance Data for the Beechcraft SundownerBeechcraft C23 Sundowner · Performance Data
- SunclownerBeechcraft C23 Sundowner · Pilot's Operating Handbook
- CHECKLIST FOR SUNDOWNER C23 VFR N6012JBeechcraft C23 Sundowner · Pilot's Operating Handbook
- Beechcraft C23 Custom/SundownerBeechcraft C23 Sundowner · Systems Description
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In this document
Fuel and range
Each tank holds 29.9 gallons (28.6 usable). The gauge reads full at only 20 gallons, so check fuel visually. The tab marks 15 gallons (13.7 usable) at its bottom and 20 gallons (18.7 usable) at the slot. One 1979 airplane's card shows 10 GPH and 5.5 hours with no reserve. A 1980 review quotes more than 550 nm at 65 percent power.
Weights and loading
Empty weights listed for one flight school's Sundowners run from 1,480.1 to 1,645.6 lb. Unusable fuel varies by serial: 7.8 gallons on M-1358, 2.6 gallons on the later airplanes listed. It is already counted in empty weight, so use usable fuel at 6 lb per gallon. The baggage area is 24.3 cubic feet and takes 270 lb.
What to inspect
Ask for AD/BEECH 23/44 (FAA AD 87-02-08) compliance on the stabilator hinge. Bulletin AWB 27-017 (2013) warns corrosion can hide failed rivets. Replace the shimmy damper if it leaks or skips. The induction filter is inspected at least every 50 hours. Wing bolt torque is checked at the first 100-hour inspection. Checking the engine means removing a two-piece cowl; only the oil has a small hatch.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- Stabilator hinge rivets can fail from hidden corrosion with the heads still in place. The bulletin warns of in-flight separation and loss of control; it suggests replacing rivets 15 years or older.
- The stall warning horn is inoperative when the battery and alternator switches are off.
- The fuel gauge reads full at 20 gallons in a 29.9-gallon tank. Check fuel visually on every preflight.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
Beechcraft C23 Sundowner Model Guide The Beechcraft C23 Sundowner is a four-seat, fixed-gear piston single built 1974-1983, with a 180-hp engine (Lycoming O-360-A4K per a 1980 review) and a 2450 lb gross weight. It is roomy and rugged rather than fast. Used examples have sold for less than comparable Piper Archers. • Roomy cabin and rugged build (stressed to six positive and three negative Gs), but slower: about 119 kt at 75% power versus 129 kt for a Piper Archer. • Gross weight is 2450 lb with about 56-57 gallons usable fuel. Full tanks limit what the seats can carry; the baggage area takes 270 lb. • A 1986 article put used Archers at $8,000 to $10,000 more than comparable Sundowners, so the Sundowner can be the lower-cost buy. • Before buying, check the stabilator hinge rivets, the nose shimmy damper, and how the fuel gauge reads against the tank tabs. Fuel and range Each tank holds 29.9 gallons (28.6 usable). The gauge reads full at only 20 gallons, so check fuel visually. The tab marks 15 gallons (13.7 usable) at its bottom and 20 gallons (18.7 usable) at the slot. One 1979 airplane's card shows 10 GPH and 5.5 hours with no reserve. A 1980 review quotes more than 550 nm at 65 percent power. Weights and loading Empty weights listed for one flight school's Sundowners run from 1,480.1 to 1,645.6 lb. Unusable fuel varies by serial: 7.8 gallons on M-1358, 2.6 gallons on the later airplanes listed. It is already counted in empty weight, so use usable fuel at 6 lb per gallon. The baggage area is 24.3 cubic feet and takes 270 lb. What to inspect Ask for AD/BEECH 23/44 (FAA AD 87-02-08) compliance on the stabilator hinge. Bulletin AWB 27-017 (2013) warns corrosion can hide failed rivets. Replace the shimmy damper if it leaks or skips. The induction filter is inspected at least every 50 hours. Wing bolt torque is checked at the first 100-hour inspection. Checking the engine means removing a two-piece cowl; only the oil has a small hatch. Safety notes: • Stabilator hinge rivets can fail from hidden corrosion with the heads still in place. The bulletin warns of in-flight separation and loss of control; it suggests replacing rivets 15 years or older. • The stall warning horn is inoperative when the battery and alternator switches are off. • The fuel gauge reads full at 20 gallons in a 29.9-gallon tank. Check fuel visually on every preflight.