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Model 76 Duchess
	1978 model Beech 76 Duchess operated by the National Test Pilot School at the Mojave Airport
Role	Four-seat cabin monoplane
Manufacturer	Beechcraft
First flight	September 1974
Introduction	1978
Primary user	Flight schools
Number built	437

1979 model Duchess

The Beechcraft Model 76 Duchess is an American twin-engined monoplane built by Beechcraft.^[1]

The Duchess is a cantilever low-wing monoplane with an all metal structure, four seats, retractable tricycle undercarriage and a T-tail. It is powered by one 180hp (134kW) Lycoming O-360-A1G6D on the left wing and one LO-360-A1G6D on the right wing, which drive counter-rotating, constant-speed two-bladed propellers.^[2]

[edit] Development

The Duchess was developed by Beechcraft from the single-engined Beechcraft Musketeer.

The prototype was first flown in September 1974 with the first production version flown on 24 May 1977. Deliveries to the Beech Aero Centers commenced early in 1978.^[1]

The Model 76 was designed as an economical twin-engine trainer for the Beech Aero Centers and to compete with the very similar Piper PA-44 Seminole as well as the Cessna 310.^[1]

The Model 76 incorporates engines that turn in different directions to eliminate the critical engine from single engine operation.^[3]

The Duchess wing is of honeycomb construction fastened by bonding, rather than rivets, to reduce cost and produce a smoother aerodynamic surface.^[3]

The Duchess is no longer in production but large numbers remain in use in flight schools around the world.

[edit] T-tail

The use of a T-tail on the Model 76 met with mixed critical reception when the aircraft was introduced. Plane & Pilot pronounced:

“

Outstanding design characteristics of the new Duchess include an aerodynamically advantageous T-tail, which places the horizontal surfaces above the propeller slipstream for better stability and handling^[3]

”

while Gerald Foster said:

“

[Beechcraft's] interest in T-tails was perhaps an affectation triggered by their wide use on jet airliners.^[4]

”

[edit] Specifications

1976 model Duchess instrument panel

Data from Green, William: Observers Aircraft, page 48. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0 7232 1604 5

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 3 passengers, 5 with optional seating
Payload: 854 lb. (387.3 kg.)
Length: 29ft. 1in. (8.85 m)
Wingspan: 38ft. (11.58 m)
Height: 9ft. 6in. (2.89 m)
Wing area: 181 ft² (16.8 m²)
Airfoil: Root NACA 63A413.2 Tip NACA 63A415^[5]
Empty weight: 2446 lb. (1100 kg)
Useful load: 1454 lb. (659.5 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 3900 lb. (1780 kg)
Powerplant: × One Lycoming O-360-A1G6D and one LO-360-A1G6D, 180 hp (135 kW) each

Performance

Never exceed speed: 194 KIAS (225.5 mph)
Maximum speed: 171 knots (197 mph)
Cruise speed: 165 knots (190 mph)
Stall speed: 60 KIAS VSo (70 KIAS VS1)
Range: 932 NM (1072.5 miles)
Service ceiling: 19,400 ft. (4 876.8 m)
Rate of climb: 1248 ft./min. (380.4 m/min.)
Wing loading: 21.6 lb/sq ft (106.0 kg/sq m)

[edit] See also

Related development

Beechcraft Musketeer

Comparable aircraft

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Green, William: Observers Aircraft, page 48. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0 7232 1604 5
^ Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 41. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 84. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. ISBN 0-918312-00-0
^ Montgomery, MR & Gerald Foster: A Field Guide to Airplanes, Second Edition, page 92. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. ISBN 0-395-62888-1
^ Lednicer, David (October 2007). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. Retrieved 2008-07-27.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
Simpson, R.W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife Publishing.

[edit] External links

Beech Aero Club (Owners and Pilots Association)

[Green-0] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Green, William: Observers Aircraft, page 48. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0 7232 1604 5

[1] Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 41. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.

[Plane_and_Pilot-2] Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 84. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. ISBN 0-918312-00-0

[Foster-3] Montgomery, MR & Gerald Foster: A Field Guide to Airplanes, Second Edition, page 92. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. ISBN 0-395-62888-1

[Lednicer-4] Lednicer, David (October 2007). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. Retrieved 2008-07-27.

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