Beechcraft Duke

infobox Aircraft
name = Duke
type = utility aircraft
manufacturer =Beechcraft

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Img_capt = Beechcraft Duke B60 - Bishop, CA (Photo by Brian Lynch - May 21, 2008)
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
first flight = 29 December 1966
introduction = July 1968
produced = 1968-1982
number built = 596The Beechcraft 60 "Duke" is a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft created by Beechcraft. The machine has a nose-wheel, retractable landing gear and a pressurized cabin. The two piston engines are turbocharged and the turbochargers also pressurize the cabin with bleed air.

Design

The development of the Beechcraft 60 began in early 1965 and it was designed to close the gap between the Beechcraft Baron and the Beechcraft Queen Air. On 29 December 1966 the prototype made its first flight. On 1 February 1968 the FAA issued the Type certificate. Distribution to customers began in July 1968.

The Beechcraft A60, which came onto the market in 1970, represented an advancement with an improved pressurized cabin, lighter and more efficient turbochargers, and improved elevators. The last variant, the B60, was introduced in 1974. The interior arrangement was renewed and the engine efficiency again increased by improved turbochargers. The Beechcraft 60 was, despite their very good performance, only a moderate seller, since the complicated technology demanded high expenditure on maintenance. Production was stopped in 1982. An unscientific survey of pilots who have flown this aircraft will reveal rave review for its timeless looks, airborne performance and handling characteristics but they will also readily concede that maintenance cost due to the aircraft's complexity can be a drawback to owning this plane.

Production Figures

* Beechcraft 60 : 113
* Beechcraft A60 : 121
* Beechcraft B60: 350

pecifications (60)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=
crew=one, pilot
capacity=five passengers
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 33 ft 10 in
length alt= 10.31 m
span main= 39 ft 3 in
span alt= 11.96 m
height main= 12 ft 8 in
height alt= 3.76 m
area main= 212.9 ft²
area alt= 19.8 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 4,100 lb
empty weight alt= 1,860 kg
loaded weight main= 6,775 lb (
loaded weight alt= 3,073 kg
useful load main= 2,675 lb
useful load alt= 1,213 kg
max takeoff weight main= 6,775 lb (B Model)
max takeoff weight alt= 3,073 kg
more general=
engine (prop)= Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4
type of prop=turbocharged six-cylinder, horizontally opposed direct drive engines
number of props=2
power main= 380 hp
power alt= 285 kW
power original=
max speed main= 248 kts
max speed alt= 285 mph / 459 km/h
cruise speed main= 239 kts (STP, 26,000', 75% power)
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main= 76 kts (IAS) / 88 mph (IAS) Serials prior to P-486 without Kit 60-5023
stall speed alt= 74 mph (IAS) / 85 mph (IAS) Serials P-486 and after or with Kit 60-5023 (VG kit)
never exceed speed main= 235kts (IAS)
never exceed speed alt= 270mph (IAS)
range main= 1,020 miles with 45 min reserve
range alt= 1,640 km
ceiling main= 30,000 ft
ceiling alt= 9,144 m
climb rate main= 1,600 ft/min
climb rate alt= 488 m/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
avionics=

Military Operators

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ee also

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