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Beechcraft Duke's design praised for power and performance since debut

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Beechcraft Duke's design praised for power and performance since debut
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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

The Beechcraft 60 Duke, a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft developed by Beechcraft in the mid-1960s, gained popularity for its efficient design and powerful turbocharged engines. The aircraft made its first flight in December 1966 and entered the private aviation market in July 1968. It features a pressurized cabin accommodating up to six people, including the pilot, and is equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear.

A notable account from Casey Aviation, Inc. highlights the Duke's impressive takeoff performance: "Whenever I would takeoff in the Duke the people at my airport would stop and come see the airshow. The takeoff roll can be super-short…easily less than 1500′, and probably much less." This statement underscores the aircraft's ability to climb efficiently even under challenging conditions.

The Beechcraft 60 was designed to bridge the gap between two other models from Beechcraft: the Baron and Queen Air. The goal was to create a lightweight yet high-performing aircraft. The prototype of this model flew for the first time on December 29, 1966, and received FAA certification by February 1968.

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The Duke's interior was designed with club seating as a luxury feature at that time. Improvements over its predecessor included an advanced bonded honeycomb construction for passenger comfort and lighter turbocharged engines that enhanced reliability and performance.

Another pilot shared insights into its short-field capabilities: "From my 5000′ runway, I could easily start the takeoff roll at one end of the runway and be at 1600′ AGL when over the departure end of the runway." These attributes make it suitable for operations on unconventional airstrips.

Rocket Engineering of Spokane modified many Dukes by replacing their original engines with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engines. This modification increased fuel capacity by 28 US gallons (110 liters) and improved maximum useful load by 400 lbs (180 kg), enhancing operational versatility.

Organizations Included in this History
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