Duchess

About the Duchess

The Beechcraft Duchess is an American twin-engined, fixed-wing monoplane designed as an economical low-cost trainer and light transport. The aircraft features an all-metal low-wing layout with a T-tail and a retractable tricycle landing gear system, accommodating a total of four seats. Power is supplied by a pair of opposing flat-four engines that rotate in opposite directions to eliminate the critical engine phenomenon during single-engine operations.

Derived using structural components and bonded aluminum honeycomb wing construction from the manufacturer's single-engine aircraft line, the prototype first flew in the autumn of nineteen seventy-four. Production began at a dedicated facility following receipt of the chosen name via a company competition. Manufacturing continued into the early nineteen eighties, and testing included experimental configurations involving turbocharged powerplants.