We are happy to announce the release of the PAE Beechcraft Bonanza A36, now available with native Reality Expansion Pack integration.
This is the second aircraft developed together with PAE Addons, after the G36 Bonanza. The collaboration is going very well. Therefore, this project confirms how effective native REP integration can be when aircraft and systems are designed together from the start.
REP comes included out of the box. No separate installation is required.
If you already own the G36 Bonanza purchased from the X-Plane.org Store, you can use your existing G36 license to receive a 30% discount on the purchase of the PAE Bonanza A36.
This offer is valid until the end of February 2026, which corresponds to the first month after the A36 release.
The first aircraft powered by REP 5.0
The PAE Bonanza A36 is the first aircraft released with REP 5.0.
Since REP 2.0, all piston engines in REP use a fully custom engine model. This model completely replaces the default X-Plane engine. REP does not tweak or modify the simulator engine. It removes it entirely.
REP simulates the engine per cylinder. Each cylinder has its own internal state. Temperatures, combustion, power output, vibrations, and wear all come from the engine model. Therefore, instruments such as the EDM930 and EDM800 only report real values. They do not generate artificial or scripted data.
REP also simulates engines according to real-world specifications. Fuel and induction systems are fully custom. This includes differences between TCM and Bendix fuel injection systems, as well as carburetors on carbureted engines. Nothing is generic. Everything follows real behavior and limitations.
This approach made REP the reference for piston engine simulation in X-Plane years ago. No other add-on in X-Plane — and arguably not even in MSFS — offers a piston engine model where everything is simulated, not approximated.
REP 5.0 is an additional refinement of this foundation. It improves accuracy, robustness, and internal consistency.
By completing this engine work, we could also focus on other areas of REP. Therefore, we started working on graphics and internal architecture. This allowed us to lay the foundations for future features, such as a fully interactive 3D tablet that will eventually replace the current 2D interface.
REP 5.0 also introduces a new electrical and alternator model. As a result, long-standing issues caused by electrical system overrides in X-Plane are now solved.
A true-to-life Bonanza A36
The aircraft models the real Beechcraft A36 in depth.
It features the Continental IO-550-B, a normally aspirated 300 HP engine. An optional turbonormalized configuration is also available. This configuration includes a dedicated turbo model with full thermal simulation, TIT included. TIT is visible on engine monitors such as the EDM930. Therefore, engine management matters.
The aircraft includes:
- Fully simulated emergency landing gear extension
- A fully modeled air conditioning system
- The compressor reduces available engine power
- The blower adds electrical load
- Custom sounds for fans, compressor, and air scoop
- Fully functional circuit breakers, each controlling its real system
- A fully simulated CAV TKS anti-ice system, compatible with X-Plane 12
- Built using all anti-ice features provided by the X-Plane SDK
- Internal state saved between sessions
- Fluid quantity and related weight correctly simulated
- Dedicated control panel, modeled after the real aircraft
- Custom avionics:
- STEC-55 autopilot
- EDM930 and EDM800 engine monitors
- Garmin GTX345 transponder
- Support for Real Sim Gear Garmin G500 and G5
- Support for RealityXP (GTN 650/750)
- Support for TDS (GTN 650/750 NXi)
All cockpit instruments use custom REP-driven lighting. These lights are not default X-Plane lights. They can fail and wear over time. Therefore, maintenance matters.
PAE Addons’s work: model, textures, and avionics
PAE Addons created the entire 3D model and textures for the Bonanza A36. The result is a detailed and accurate aircraft, inside and out.
PAE Addons also developed several custom avionics instruments, including the EDM930, EDM800, STEC-55, and the Garmin GTX345 transponder. These instruments integrate deeply with REP. Therefore, they reflect the real state of the engine and systems at all times.
This close collaboration between visuals and systems makes the aircraft feel cohesive and believable in every phase of flight.
Optional tip tanks and STC
The A36 supports Osborne tip tanks.
When enabled, the aircraft receives the correct STC. Maximum takeoff weight increases accordingly. Fuel transfer follows real logic and timing. Incorrect management can therefore result in fuel venting overboard.
What REP adds to the experience
As with all REP-powered aircraft, the A36 includes:
- Custom flight model
- Fully custom sound engine
- Persistent wear and maintenance
- Interactive walkaround and external inspections
- Persistent electrical state, including battery discharge between sessions
- Economy system:
- Standalone
- X-CPL-Pilot
- FSEconomy
Systems are simulated, not approximated.
Documentation and checklists
The aircraft includes custom REP checklists in the standard REP format. It also includes performance tables and a complete user manual. Therefore, both normal and abnormal operations are fully documented.
What’s next
Next, we will release REP 5.0 in beta for all other REP packages, including aircraft that are no longer on sale.
The PAE G36 Bonanza will also receive a new update. This update will include REP 5.0, new sounds, and a more realistic air conditioning system.
Availability
The PAE Bonanza A36 with native REP is available now.
As always, future REP updates are free for existing users. You can download updates using the SkunkCrafts Updater. Alternatively, you can re-download the full installation package from the X-Plane.org Store and reinstall it from scratch.