For a more efficient takeoff, this system provides precise control for optimal power output, as well as over-torque/overtempt protection. (n.d.). After its introduction, the Baron quickly became a fan favorite and has been in production for 60 years, during which over 6900 units were produced, with no signs of stopping. Beechcraft: A History | Flying. Baron G58. The Model 56 is a different story. Its acoustic features deliver a quiet turboprop experience while also providing optional Wi-Fi connectivity. Hoyle, Craig. Single-engine Denali Aircraft Joins the Legendary Beechcraft Turboprop Family As Program Progresses Toward First Flight | Textron Aviation Media Center. TL;DR: King Air easier to fly, Baron easier to transition to for a fresh multi pilot. Copyright 2023 Aviator Insider | A Topsail Media Company | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Textron Aviation newsroom. Multi-scan Colins RTA-4112 is a completely automated weather radar system that allows short, medium, and long-range weather detection. In the past US Army used old bombers to train pilots, but with an increasing number of trainees, these were not enough. https://txtav.com/en/journey/articles/articles/denali-at-the-core. Dry Air Pressure Pump: Every 600 hours or on condition. The King Air 260 can transport up to nine passengers and has a maximum range of 17,20 nm and a high cruising speed of 310 ktas. With the Model B60, Duke gained a wider and longer interior, as well as redesigned seats for increased comfort. AT-6. Propeller (Hartzell): Every 2000 hours or 5 calendar years, whichever occurs first. The turbocharged TSIO-520-L has to be overhauled every 1,400 hours. The most significant change was a fuselage stretch of 10 inches (25cm) and the introduction of double rear fuselage doors and reversible club seats in the center row, eliminating the need for passengers to climb over the center seats or through the rear baggage door to access the rear seats. Additional changes, such as wet-cell wingtip fuel tanks, were incorporated during the last phases of B60 production toincrease the range. While aviation may be his first love, writing is his second, and he loves to combine the two on Aviator Insider. The BEECHCRAFT Duke B60, manufactured from 1974 - 1982, requires a 1 person crew and can transport up to 5 passengers. Approachable Aircraft: Beech Sundowner and Musketeer | Flying. Standard equipment includes an engine-indicated and crew-alerting system (EICAS), a dual flight management system (FMS), a MultiScan Weather Radar system (WXR), integrated terrain awareness and warning system (iTAWS), and an automated flight guidance system (AFGS). Fuel Pump, engine-driven: Every 1200 hours. [6], ICAO type designator of all versions is BE58. Owners report buying a Duke partially because of its looks, but selling it because of the cost of keeping it running. Many pilots of 800 mentioned how robust the aircraft is and the aircraft delivered on that promise, except in hot or high-altitude circumstances. What Its Like to Fly the Beechcraft Baron G58 | Flying. During its 60 year history, Beechcraft introduced 15 variants of the Baron, including a military variant and a turboprop variant. A gear-up landing means an engine teardown and propeller replacement, along with some sheet metal work. Model 17 has undergone several variations throughout the years for a variety of causes and the aim of betterment. Textron Aviation newsroom. The price can go up to $300,000 and down to $100,000. T-6C. The early Baron 55, A55 and B55 were fitted with 260hp (190kW) Continental IO-470 engines and had gross weights of 4880 to 5100lb (2,200 to 2,300kg). Built to the quality standards of a King Air, the six-place Duke sported 380hp[280kW], Lycoming TIO-541 engines rare beasts, those which means when both come due for overhaul, the choice is the overhaul or buying a small house in the Midwest. They post Duke-related information on their websites, and its a fantastic opportunity to connect with Duke owners. King Air 260 Debuts AOPA. Wing-mounted fuel tanks were an option for enhancing the range. Comparisons Click on the aircraft models below and see for yourself how the Aerostar compares. Texan II T6-C is a training aircraft for the military developed for all levels of training and trains pilots for operations in the real world. When we're not in the air, we're here helping others how to join us here at Aviator Insider. In 1940 USA was preparing for the war. Baron and Bonanza are extremely similar; this may also be observed in avionics. The Baron 55, A55, and B55 models are powered by the naturally aspirated, fuel-injected, six-cylinder Continental IO-470-L. Staggerwing has an official peak speed of 201.2 mph, although it has a pleasant cruising speed of 180 mph and a non-stop range of 1,000 miles. A retractable canopy shielded the cockpit. judge steele middle district of florida. The TBO of this engine is 1700 hours, which is an improvement of 200 hours versus the older versions of the Model 55overhauling or buying restored IO-520-C costs about the same as it would for an IO-470-L. In summation, it is a phrase that alludes to Bonanzas performance and attractiveness. Textron also demonstrates its creative side when it comes to performance. 720. It was introduced in 1967 and discontinued just four years later. The overhaul process helps extend the life of the engine and ensures safe operation. It included lighter turbo-superchargers with internal improvements that extended their life, new interior textiles and leathers, and a modified pressurization control system that enabled smoother overall operation and increased cabin comfort throughout the final stages of manufacture. It also has leather seats, an entertainment system, reading lamps, and other features. Beech introduced the Model 65 Queen Air in 1960, based on the Twin Bonanzas wings and robust carry-through structure. Beechcraft sold its . https://media.txtav.com/195620-textron-aviation-introduces-the-king-air-260-to-its-renowned-turboprop-lineup. Bombardier Challenger 350 Guide and Specs: Is It Up to the Challenge? The most frequently encountered issue with the Duke is its engines; owners frequently complain about their high maintenance expenses. https://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/beech-60-duke/67. Royal Flying Doctor Service Selects Upgraded Special Missions Beechcraft King Air 360 Aircraft | Textron Aviation Media Center. Duke is also not particularly adept at landing on short runways. Answer: The current G58 model includes a pressurized cabin as well as automated climate control, which automatically sets the cabin and cockpit temperatures and pressure. Three main changes were introduced throughout their manufacturing years: the swepttail, pressure cabin, and the substitution of PT-6A turboprops to Lycoming 480. Electro-mechanical systems, which were highly advanced when the aircraft was introduced, were superseded in other aircraft with simpler I/C controlled mechanical parts. Duke has a good overall performance for its time, allowing it to compete with its performance while also allowing it to flaunt its appearance. Journal Of Aerospace. Another key characteristic of the Bonanza G36 is its ability to provide itself with the necessary power when the main battery fails. https://www.aviationconsumer.com/aircraftreviews/beech-duke/. Nonetheless, intending to produce the finest airplane in the world, Walter and Ann Beech positioned themselves as aviation pioneers. Pilotmall.com , E. The Model 28 was intended primarily to attack gun emplacements, ships, armored vehicles, and bunkers while maintaining excellent agility and the ability to remain airborne after being damaged. For the first time, Air Corps got dedicated multi-engine training airplanes. Aviation Consumer. The first update was the A55, which increased the optional seating capacity by one, allowing consumers to choose from a four-seat or six-seat configuration. The United States Army bought 65 aircraft, while another five were delivered to the Turkish Army. (2020, August 4). While aviation may be his first love, writing is his second, and he loves to combine the two on Aviator Insider. The large and lengthy fuselage of the Baron gives its passengers plenty of space to sit comfortably for long journeys, and the powerful engines coupled with large fuel tanks get them there fast and in one go. The Beechcraft G58 Baron is powered by two IO-550-C Continental Motors with 300 HP apiece, and it comes stock with 3 blade constant speed propellers, and can reach a 202-knot cruise speed at 75% power. There was also a choice of powerplant. Only 91 Model 56s were ever produced, which makes finding parts for it a lot harder. Duke has an average range for its class. Aviation insurance is a highly specialized market, with rates changing depending on the aircrafts make and model, hull value, intended usage, pilot experience and qualifications, and even the specific make and models and industrys loss history. Answer: Yes, it is pressurized, and later models of it have automatic systems to set the cabin altitude. The Duke from Beechcraft is often regarded as one of the most attractive airplanes. With its MTOW of 4,880 lbs (2,213 kg), the engines allowed the aircraft to climb to a service ceiling of 19,300 ft (5882 m). Denali: At The Core. Beechcraft's Duke is widely regarded as one of the most strikingly attractive airplanes ever built. It cruises at about 110 ktas in 150-hp versions and 120-125 ktas in 180-hp ones. In 1970, the Baron 56TC received its first and last refresh. However, despite the lack of a turbocharger, the Baron has plenty of power. Ensure that you verify these data. Quick Look: Hawker 4000 AOPA. https://www.flyingmag.com/story/aircraft/approachable-aircraft-beech-sundowner-musketeer/. However, after the purchase by Textron in 2014, the elimination of the Hawker product line brought down values of 4000 due to lack of support fears. Austin, K. (2019, July 22). This model is powered by two Continental IO-550-C engines that produce 300 hp (248 kW) and, when paired with the 3-blade McCauley propeller, can reach 202 KCAS (374 kmph). https://media.txtav.com/194201-continued-innovation-drives-textron-aviation-s-iconic-beechcraft-baron-58-to-50-year-milestone. The Baron 55 was in production from 1961 to 1983, during which Beechcraft made 3,651 models. The aircraft has retractable tricycle landing gear and a pressurized cabin. These had their sub-variants that came in the form of upgrades and other changes such as forced induction models. Beechcrafts Baron 56 is powered by two turbocharged Lycoming TIO-541-E1A4 engines that put out 380 hp (283 kW), has an MTOW of 5,990 lbs (2,717 kg), and reaches its service ceiling at 32,200 ft (9,814 m). While the Duke is not a six-seater when fully loaded, it still beats the competition in terms of practical load capacity and range. The aircrafts maximum takeoff weight is 39,500 pounds, and its maximum cruising speed is 0.84 Mach (482 mph), giving it a range of 3,100 nautical miles. Textron Aviation newsroom. Come join us! The aircraft has a maximum operating altitude of 30,000', a normal cruise speed of 215 KTS/248 MPH, and a 688 NM/792 SM seats-full range. The Twin Bonanza looks more like a straight-tailed King Air with piston engines instead of being more like Bonanza. 93 Baron 56TC aircraft were built between 1967 and 1971[2] and all use the ICAO type designator BE56. Montgomery, M. (1984). The first-ever Baron 55 is a four-seater, twin-engine aircraft powered by Continental IO-470, producing 260 hp (190 kW) per engine. The Army Aviation School took delivery of 65 aircraft, a further five were bought for delivery to the Turkish Army.[22]. It was derived from the Bonanza, and about 2,300 were built between 1953 and 1959. While timeframes for overhaul and replacement are provided for some critical parts below, you may go to the referenced paper for more reading. The ruling Queen Air was the Twin Bonanzas direct output. Duke is now a whole different machine in terms of performance because of the upgrade. Beechcraft T-34 Mentor Trainer Aircraft Airforce Technology. Textron Aviation newsroom. [5], The C55, D55 and E55 models used 285hp (213kW) Continental IO-520 engines, increasing cruise speed to 200kn (230mph; 370km/h). Beechcraft Duke Specifications The Duke was a pioneer in the pressurized high-performance, light business twin class, with a cabin that maintains a 10,000-foot altitude at 25,000 feet, comparable in size, performance, and general features to the Beech Baron and Queen Air. Answer: Yes, Beechcraft has been owned by Textron Aviation since March 2014. The reason is that it was only ever meant to be a stepping stone for a different model. (2021, September 2). The entire fuselage was repositioned forward on the wing to address the aft CG issue that plagued the short-body models. The line between the P-Baron and the King Air with its pressurized cabin is represented by Duke. The Model 55 was Beech's first Baron. The assertive lines of the airframe made for a startlingly attractive airplane, but led to high costs of manufacture and, surprising to the casual onlooker, horrendous drag. Variants. [2] Beechcraft 60 Duke | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Airlife's World Aircraft. [citation needed], The Baron 55 was sold with four seats in two rows as standard equipment; a third-row fifth seat was optional initially, and a sixth seat became optional on the A55. Quick Look: Hawker 800 Series AOPA. Textron Aviation newsroom. According to Textron, the cabin provides passengers with the space and amenities normally found on midsize jetaircraft. Beech Twin Bonanza AOPA. Finally, splurging on a brand new engine from Lycoming for the Model 56 will cost an eye-watering $95,000. The single-engine Beechcrafts : Internet Archive. Hobbled by a poor engine and propeller combination, the Duke's claimed 760 horsepower is a figure that lives only on paper. Duke is a people-pleaser on both the pilot and the passenger side. [23][24][25] At least ten converted to follow on from eight converted Travel Airs.[26]. If that seems a bargain, it isexcept for one major problem. Between the Beech Baron and Queen Air in size, performance and general capabilities, the Duke was a pioneer in the pressurised high performance light business twin class. After 50 years of continual innovation, its success and reputation for businesses continue to be strong. The Duke Flyers Association, formed in 1988, is an excellent club with a rich history. The aircraft was introduced in 1961. This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 13:41. In 1982, production ended. With remarkable cruising performance, a complex yet easy system, significant comfort, and superb stability, the Duke is a standout up-and-away airplane. The Catalyst engine was designed with simplicity in mind by GE engineers. Table 3: Denali Specs and Performance- Source: Beechcraft Website. Developed from. With a flying envelope of +10 g and -4.5 g, the aircraft can hover. Simpson, Rod. Beechcraft then built the Model B60, which was the most widely produced Duke sub-model until 1982. Based on 450 annual owner-operated hours and $6.75-per-gallon fuel cost, the BEECHCRAFT Baron G58 has total variable costs of $176,625.00, total fixed costs of $105,180.00, and an annual budget of $281,805.00. Beechcraft Bonanza G36 Aircraft Aerospace Technology. Normally, pilots figure 45 gallons per hour (170L/h), plus another 40USgal (150L) for each takeoff and climb as typical fuel consumption for cross-country planning. [5][6], Model 55 Barons were produced from 1961 to 1983, with 3,651 manufactured. [7], Some Dukes have been modified by Rocket Engineering of Spokane, Washington, replacing the Lycoming reciprocating engines with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 or -35 turbine engines.