Beechcraft 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 weak-powered engines, and the rather heavy construction of the Duchess, many student pilots complain that the aircraft is greatly under-powered, especially for engine-out training. This has lead to the common moniker "Gutless Duchess" being applied to the aircraft.

Unlike the Seminole, which is still being produced today, the Duchess is no longer in production, but 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: 2x Lycoming O-360-A1G6D, 180 hp (135 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 198 mph (317 km/h)

Range: 903 miles (1,445 km)

Service ceiling: ft ( m)

Rate of climb: 1,248 ft/min (380 m/min)

Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)

Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)