As a B777 captain/Check Airman. If I was looking at the GA ramp and there were a GVI, A Falcon Jet, One of the nice Bombardier jets there I wouldn't take a second look at that ramp. But if there was a Turboprop Duke there. I would be stopping the next ramp vehicle passing by asking for a ride to go see it. That's a beauty!
I have owned and flow every thing from a Beech 23 to a G-IVSP to L-39 and A-37 and Helos including L-4s but there is something so charming about the Duke, especially with PT-6s.
Nice machine, except for a couple achilles heels. Nose gear has collapsed on a number of Dukes. It turns 90 degrees as it retracts. On extension it has to turn again. The centering bracket is a weak link in the procedure. Also, the whole tail is all magnesium. Difficult to repaint without problems afterwards. For the money, I'd go for a F-90 King Air.
Nosewheel has collapsed on kingairs also, part of life really. the Duke is a much prettier plane and outperforms a f-90 king air. King air has more cabin space. i would take the duke!
I owned a Duke for several years. Loved the known ice, pressurized cabin etc. The Duke is faster than the original 90 King Airs, but a F-90 is faster. I have time in the E-90, F-90 and the 200.
Used prices on the Controller show the turbine Duke from $800K to over $1M. Granted it's a speedster, but for that kind of money (and I've owned several Beechcrafts) I'd go for a Turbo Commander 1000. With a pressure diff of 6.7 it's certified to FL350, it's range and speed are outstanding: High speed cruise range at 334mph/290kts/537kmh (TAS) average at 31,000 ft., 9,449 meters, MCP full fuel with 45 min. fuel reserve: 2,098 SM/ 1,823 NM, 3,378 KM. The Duke would have run out of fuel hundreds of miles before.
I think you mean the Twin commander 1000, The Turbine Duke is priced that way due to the rarity like anything rare it will always command a premium it will also out climb the twin commander, both are fantastic aircraft hard to compare them though as the twin commander is a much bigger aircraft, more expensive hanger space etc, the twin commander would definitely be a better aircraft if you had serious ground to cover
Have only flown the piston models, which are really no faster than a C55 under 10K and which seem a bit underpowered compared to a Baron. Dukes sure look the part, no doubt about it.
I wish there was more royal Duke content on CZcams. It's such a beautiful plane especially with the turbine engines
Love it. Having flown 700+ hours on the original Duke, it was a great plane that needed more power. Now a small King Air. Thanks for sharing that.
As a B777 captain/Check Airman. If I was looking at the GA ramp and there were a GVI, A Falcon Jet, One of the nice Bombardier jets there I wouldn't take a second look at that ramp. But if there was a Turboprop Duke there. I would be stopping the next ramp vehicle passing by asking for a ride to go see it.
That's a beauty!
I have owned and flow every thing from a Beech 23 to a G-IVSP to L-39 and A-37 and Helos including L-4s but there is something so charming about the Duke, especially with PT-6s.
this was someones aviation dream machine.
The way a Duke should have been from the beginning.
Many many years ago, this was my one and only favorite aircraft in this class :-)
Stunning looking machine!!!
Flew a B60 for a small trucking company in the midwest...mid 70's. Always wondered why Beach didn't put PT6's on the wings. 66 gph on climb outs!
Oh it’s an easy 40-45 gallons block to block.
Nice machine, except for a couple achilles heels. Nose gear has collapsed on a number of Dukes. It turns 90 degrees as it retracts. On extension it has to turn again. The centering bracket is a weak link in the procedure. Also, the whole tail is all magnesium. Difficult to repaint without problems afterwards. For the money, I'd go for a F-90 King Air.
Nosewheel has collapsed on kingairs also, part of life really. the Duke is a much prettier plane and outperforms a f-90 king air. King air has more cabin space. i would take the duke!
I owned a Duke for several years. Loved the known ice, pressurized cabin etc. The Duke is faster than the original 90 King Airs, but a F-90 is faster. I have time in the E-90, F-90 and the 200.
Gm Furnald This a duke turbine dont forget, the duke turbine is faster than a f-90 king air the f90 wont do 290knots!
Used prices on the Controller show the turbine Duke from $800K to over $1M. Granted it's a speedster, but for that kind of money (and I've owned several Beechcrafts) I'd go for a Turbo Commander 1000. With a pressure diff of 6.7 it's certified to FL350, it's range and speed are outstanding: High speed cruise range at 334mph/290kts/537kmh (TAS) average at 31,000 ft., 9,449 meters, MCP full fuel with 45 min. fuel reserve: 2,098 SM/ 1,823 NM, 3,378 KM. The Duke would have run out of fuel hundreds of miles before.
I think you mean the Twin commander 1000, The Turbine Duke is priced that way due to the rarity like anything rare it will always command a premium it will also out climb the twin commander, both are fantastic aircraft hard to compare them though as the twin commander is a much bigger aircraft, more expensive hanger space etc, the twin commander would definitely be a better aircraft if you had serious ground to cover
What a ride. But how's it compare to a king air 90?
Much faster 290knots vs 230ish knots and nearly double the rate of climb the turbine duke will climb at 4k fpm!
Have only flown the piston models, which are really no faster than a C55 under 10K and which seem a bit underpowered compared to a Baron. Dukes sure look the part, no doubt about it.
chronodiver300
CE-90 is a much more stable airplane with real room inside. But you'll never get this efficiency out of the big heavy airframe.
Do the wings still shear off at high speed descents?
never did unless it was overstressed, ALL airplanes will do that
Cockpit is over done, way to busy. Could be simplified by 50%.
And tall! Way to high for someone under 6ft.
Just what a gas hog piston engine aircraft needs: thirstier engines.