Beechcraft Duchess

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Beechcraft Model 76 Duchess

The Beechcraft 76 Duchess was a twin-engine development of the Beechcraft Musketeer, and was designed as an economical twin-engine trainer to compete with the successful Piper Seminole. By sheer coincidence, and in accordance to the "form follows function" rule, the two aircraft appear to be nearly identical. The Duchess was equipped with the same 180-hp Lycoming engines as the Seminole. Due to the relatively low-powered engines, and the rather heavy construction of the Duchess, many student pilots find that the aircraft is under-powered and as a result a challenging trainer, especially for engine-out training. This has lead to the derogatory epithet "Gutless Duchess" being applied to the aircraft.

Unlike the Seminole, which is still being produced today, the Duchess is no longer in production. Large numbers remain in use in flight schools around the world.

Specifications (Model 76 Duchess)

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: 3 passengers
Length: 29 ft 1 in (8.85 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.89 m)
Wing area: 181 ft² (16.8 m²)
Empty: 2,446 lb (1,100 kg)
Loaded: lb ( kg)
Maximum takeoff: 3,900 lb (1,780 kg)
Powerplant: 1x Lycoming O-360-A1G6D, 180 hp (135 kW) and 1x Lycoming LO-360-A1G6D, counter-clockwise rotating 180 hp (135 kW) each
Fuel capacity: 103USG Total, 100USG Usable
Max fuel flow per engine: 11.7 USGPH (@6000ft PA, -14deg C, 23.50 in.hg

Performance

VNE Never exceed speed: 194 KIAS
VNO Normal operating speed: 154 KIAS
VA Maneuvering speed: 132 KIAS
VMCA Air Minimum control speed: 65 KIAS
Range: 932 nautical miles

Service ceiling: 16,000 ft
Rate of climb: 1,248 ft/min (380 m/min)
Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

External link

[Beech Aero Club] (Owners and Pilots Association)

Beechcraft Duchess

Specifications (Model 76 Duchess)

General characteristics

Performance

External link

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