Comparing the Duke with its Peers
The Beech Duke is a great owner flown airplane with good speed (230 - 240 mph @ 21,000) and most are fully certified for flight into known icing conditions. It is as stable as a rock on instruments with adequate knee room for passengers in the cabin. The nose baggage compartment is more than ample.
Some things the Duke is not:
It is not a short field airplane without excessive use of brakes. 4000' is most comfortable. However, comparison with other light twins shows the same:
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TAKEOFF |
TAKEOFF |
A/S* |
A/S* |
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MAKE |
MODEL |
SL over 50' |
5000' over 50' |
SL |
5000' |
|
Beech |
Duke |
2626 |
3750 |
3500 |
4300 |
|
Cessna |
414 |
2595 |
3780 |
4255 |
5430 |
|
Cessna |
421 |
2335 |
3740 |
3630 |
5000 |
| * Accelerate - stop distances |
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NOTE: Duke is on a par with other light twins on takeoff over a 50' obstacle and better in accelerate - stop distances. >It is not a six passenger aircraft with full fuel (202 or 232 gallons) but neither are its competitors. See comparison.
SOME INTERESTING COMPARISONS
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MAKE |
MODEL |
MAX WEIGHT LBS |
USEFUL LOAD LBS |
CRUISE 65% 20,000' KTS |
GPH |
RANGE SEATS FULL |
USEFUL LOAD TANKS FULL |
|
Beech |
Duke |
6819 |
2098 |
212 |
36.6 |
591 |
706 |
|
Cessna |
340 |
6025 |
1614 |
206 |
30.0 |
535 |
396 |
|
Cessna |
414 |
6785 |
1615 |
200 |
30.0 |
252 |
379 |
|
Cessna |
421 |
7500 |
2002 |
218* |
38.2 |
526 |
430 |
|
Piper |
Mojave |
7245 |
1647 |
184 |
31.0 |
663 |
219 |
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Duke has the highest useful load of any plane listed. |
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Duke will carry more cabin load with full fuel. 78% more than 340; 86% more than 414; 16% more than 421 and 222% more than Mojave. |
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* Am
suspicious of 218KT cruise of 421. Have never talked to any 421 pilot who
claimed more than |
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SOURCE: Business and Commercial Aviation. May. 1994