How powerful was the pressurized Duke?

Short answer

The Beechcraft 60 Duke was fitted with turbocharged Lycoming TIO541-B4 engines producing 380 horsepower (280 kilowatts) each. Those same turbochargers pressurized the cabin using bleed air. The prototype first flew on 29 December 1966.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Beechcraft DukeEric Friedebach (CC BY), vía commons

Two turbocharged Lycomings

The Beechcraft 60 Duke is a twin-engine, piston-powered, fixed-wing aircraft built in the United States, designed and produced by Beechcraft. Its design uses turbocharged Lycoming TIO541-B4 engines producing 380 horsepower (280 kilowatts) each. The prototype made its first flight on 29 December 1966.

Pressurization comes from the turbo

The aircraft has retractable tricycle landing gear and a pressurized cabin. The engines' turbocharging serves a second function: those same turbochargers also pressurize the cabin, using bleed air.

An executive cabin

The passenger cabin is fitted with club-style seating, and access is through a door with an integrated airstair located on the port side of the rear fuselage.