Beech 76 Duchess

  • CountryUnited States of America
  • TypeFour place light twin
  • PowerplantsTwo 135kW (180hp) Lycoming O-360-A1G6D flat four piston engines driving two blade constant speed propellers.
  • PerformanceMax speed 317km/h (171kt), max cruising speed 307km/h (165kt), recommended cruising speed at 10,000ft 293km/h (158kt), long range cruising speed 280km/h (151kt). Initial rate of climb 1248ft/min. Max range with reserves 1445km (780nm).
  • WeightsEmpty 1110kg (2446lb), max takeoff 1780kg (3900lb).
  • DimentionsWing span 11.58m (38ft 0in), length 8.85m (29ft 1in), height 2.89m (9ft 6in). Wing area 16.8m2 (181.1sq ft).
  • CapacitySeats for four.
  • Production437 Duchesses were built between 1978 and 1982.

The Model 76 Duchess was one of another class of light four spot twins created in the mid 1970s.

The model of the Duchess, assigned the PD-289, made its first flight in September 1974. However a further 30 months of advancement work passed before the first creation Model 76 took to the air on May 24 1977. Confirmation was conceded in right on time 1978, with first conveyances beginning in that May.

The Duchess was situated between the Bonanza and the Baron in the Beechcraft model reach. Beech created it for its Beech Aero Centers, and pitched it at the individual utilize light twin, light contract and multi motor preparing markets. Configuration points included great low speed and single motor taking care of.

Aside from the model PD-289, no varieties of the Duchess 76 were fabricated before generation finished in 1982. All Duchesses along these lines offer two Lycoming O-360 motors (with counter pivoting propellers), a T-tail (consolidated to diminish control drives and enhance lift reaction), section entryways on either side of the lodge and electric trim and fold controls (the model PD-289 emphasized physically worked folds). The fuselage was built approximately with respect to the single motor Sierra's, and like the Sierra and its Musketeer ancestors offered a fortified honeycomb development wing. The Sierra and Duchess additionally impart basic structural segments.

Beech offered three production line choice bundles on the Duchess - the Weekender, Holiday and Professional - and 11 plant introduced flying bundles.

Beech created the Duchess for ease, high volume creation, yet the falling prominence of light twins, a financial retreat and handicapping item obligation laws in the USA all helped a generally short generation run which wound up in 1982. Deals had topped in 1979 when 213 were constructed.

Like its peers the Grumman/Gulfstream American Cougar and Piper Seminole, the Duchess' prosperity was hampered through lamentable timing. Constantly expanding advances in motor productivity, wellbeing and dependability prompted an ascent in ubiquity for enormous elite singles, for example, Beech's own particular Bonanza arrangement, which fail to offer the upkeep overheads of two motors, yet had equivalent execution. Be that as it may, to a more noteworthy degree than the Seminole and Cougar, the Duchess delighted in a few accomplishment as a twin motor pilot mentor, a part in which it is broadly utilized throughout today.

Pictures of Beech 76 Duchess