Introduction: Now here’s an aircraft I’ve wanted in FS for a long time, but wasn’t sure I’d ever see it… The Beechcraft 76. A popular light, twin-engine aircraft that has pretty much always had my attention and imagination captivated. However, I’d forgotten about her for a long while; as I said, I didn’t think I’d see one this nice. I’ve always been a fan of the light and medium twin engine category, and even though this one looks very similar to the legendary and much more common Seminole, I just like this one better. First flown in 1974 as a prototype developed for economical twin engine flight training, and as competition for the light twin engine market, the Duchess has proved fairly successful. It was developed from the very similar single engine Beechcraft Musketeer, and some of the similarities in the fuselage are clearly noticeable. Production began in 1977, and initial deliveries went to flight schools. The first time I ever saw a Duchess I thought it was its competitor, or the remarkably similar looking Piper Seminole. However, it did look a little odd for a Seminole. Then, I quickly noticed the name on the side of the plane, and began to see many of the Beech characteristics that I love about Bonanzas, Barons, and Mentors. I soon realized, that even though they do look similar and have many similar features, I just like the Duchess more due to its Beech heritage. The Duchess has the durable all metal construction typical of Beechcraft, and the aerodynamic T-tail that is said to add stability and improve some handling characteristics. The wing of the Duchess is also advantageous due to its bonded honeycomb construction, which allows for very smooth airflow without rivets. An extra feature that I love about any of the few twin engine aircraft that have it, are propellers that rotate in opposite directions. This virtually eliminates torque issues on takeoff, and in the event of engine failure, it is much easier to fly the aircraft. We’ll jump in now and have a look at what you’re really here for, the look at the new Just Flight Duchess for Flight Simulator. I was asked to look at the aircraft in both FS9 and FSX, so this is a new type of review for me. You’ll see some FSX screenshots mostly for the external model, although most of the review was conducted in FS9. Installation: Installation is through the Just Flight install method, which is a bit lengthy. You will start the installer, and it will redirect your internet browser to a code entry page. Once it verifies, it will begin installing into the sim of your choice. Documentation: Documentation is very well done, and everything seems to have been thought of. As you’ll see from the screenshots below, the manual is very detailed along with many pictures emphasizing those details.
Also included, are nice checklists along with something I always love seeing: detailed V-Speeds. All that I can think of are there. The information aspect of this package is well done. 2D Panel: This area of any aircraft package isn’t quite my favorite, but it’s excellent for the 2D panel fans. Very well represented 2D main panels and lower a ‘landing panel’ are included, along with a slew of heavily detailed sub-panels. Every sub-panel actually is functional, and has use. I will be using several of these just because they’re custom, and very nice to look at. Also, there is a little grey box that shows each area of the cockpit, and allows you to easily click them from the main 2D panel, instead of Shift+4 or Shift+7, and so on. 2D panel fans will not be disappointed.
Virtual Cockpit: I don’t quite know where to start on this virtual cockpit. I could say it’s one of the best; I could say it’s one of my favorites; I could say you‘re most likely going to really like it, too. Well, those statements are true, in my mind. Everything here is seamlessly represented, and you can’t seem to find any mistakes in it. From actual modeled passengers (that can be removed), to a full virtual cabin with a hidden goodie or two, it’s got it all. The passengers can be clicked in and out of the cabin, or you can actually go to the weight and balance section in FS, and remove their weight. ‘Poof’, they’re gone. I thought that was a neat addition, actual weight must be there for the passengers to show up. All the normal animations and features are here, including clickability on just about everything, relatively smooth gauges, and with exception of the storm scope, complete function. Gauge legibility at my resolution was exquisite, even back at 0.60 & 0.65 zoom where I prefer to fly it.
It’s also loaded with detail in every direction, and has many extra little functions like an opening pilot window, and moving sun visors, and even the emergency gear doors are animated and do work. The yoke can also be clicked at its base on the point where it extends out of the panel, to be removed if needed.
I just couldn’t get over how crisp and complete every line seems inside this aircraft, and it really does immerse me to a point where few sim-planes are capable of. It also seems to have everything of use in the VC: completely functional Transponder, Autopilot, Radios, and even a storm scope. However, the storm scope is merely for looks, having no actual function. Still neat to see it included.
Something else I look for with knob and lever ‘clickability’, is ease of changing Mag positions during my pre-flight run up. These magneto ‘knobs’ are remarkably easy to flip from Both-2-1-Both. I know it seems silly, but I love that. Also, what kind of threw me when I first looked for primers is I couldn’t find them. The manual showed me the magneto switches when in the off position, can be clicked inward as primers. Every little thing seems to be thought of and included. Night lighting is a simple red flood light, which some like and some don’t. I personally don’t mind, but there are no gauge backlights, just the red flood light.
I just enjoy the flight experience from inside no end. I hope and think you will, too. External Model: I have one word for you here: Gorgeous. I can’t think of any imaginable detail that the development team missed on this model. We have tons of great stuff like weathering stains, extremely sharp and real lines, great and believable prop textures, and little modeled details like actual fuel caps. I’m going to let pictures do most of my talking here.
Five texture sets are included, and they all look simple yet stunning. Although five sets are included, two pairs of the five are the same. See the included shots for clarity. My flagship quickly became GCCL, as you can see from the many pictures. Something that I found quite interesting was three of the included liveries having bold black letters on the sides, and they’re all G-XXXX. I realized you can add a custom tail number to these without having to do any paint kid modding. A nice option for those who want to fly their own tail number. I also took these livery shots without reflections to let everyone know that the windows can come in two different appearance versions.
As expected, we have all the regular animations like control surface movement and flaps and gear animations. Also, animated trim tabs and all the lighting you could think of for a light twin GA aircraft. There’s a nice little startup ‘puff’ of smoke from each engine as they roar to life, and subtle exhaust stains on the underside of the nacelles. Nicely modeled and functional cowl flaps have great detail, and engine internals are visible when they’re open. Also, visible and detailed passengers can be added and removed via the weight and balance screen, or a VC click point.
I must add that there are some neat FSX-only features on the external model. When the aircraft is shut down, you can press Shift+4 which will trigger some relatively unique events. The pilot figure will actually pop out of the aircraft and kind of hop to each important location of each aircraft tie-down. He’ll tie each wing down, swiftly move to chock the wheels, then tie the tail down. It’s a neat little touch, and even though the pilot is not seen walking from each location to location to save time, it still could make for some very neat screenshots. Every little detail counts to immerse the ‘simmer’. It was not possible to create these effects in FS9, but that doesn’t shake me one bit, as the plane is just excellent, in my mind.
Once again, it's just a wonderful model. Flight Dynamics: Always an important part of any aircraft review, is how does it fly? I’ll start with the saying, “no, I haven’t flown one in real life.” However, I simply love the way it flies, and there is something that makes it seem very real.
My first impression was during taxi. I noticed it was a bit labored during turning, using differential brakes. I thought this was great, as the nose wheel in most of these nose wheel aircraft do not have power steering. It felt like I had to really use those pedals, instead of just gently nudging them. I noticed a similar effect once airborne; all of the controls seemed a bit ‘heavy’. That’s the only word I can use to describe it, but it’s close. Same thing with the rudder input, as you need a good amount of rudder to coordinate the turns. Some might see this as a negative point, but like my flight instructor told me, "Fly the airplane, don’t let it fly you."
My point in describing this ‘heaviness’ that seems to encompass the flight dynamics is this: It feels like I’m actually taxiing a few thousand pounds around, not an intangible and weightless 3D model. Once in the air, you need to use those flight controls as if you’re actually controlling flight surfaces that have slipstream rushing over and resisting their neutral positions. This is the main reason I’m enjoying the flying aspect of the Duchess so much, it feels like I’m using a little bit of muscle to control the aircraft, which is the way the few planes I’ve flown really did feel. Yes, you could input the yoke a touch to bank, but in order to really bank and turn the plane some muscle was needed. I don’t know if everyone will like this, but I love it. It’s like force feedback that seems real, and it’s just the springs in your joystick and the flight dynamics.
What I then noticed about how the Duchess flies was its seemingly amazing speed. I’ve read up on the Duchess, and it’s not overpowered compared to the real life ship. Though, I just loved getting 160-170 indicated airspeed, and nearly 200 knots ground speed on almost all flights. These were average speeds over my time flying the Duchess, and my average altitude was 7500-9500 feet, and she still moved fast. I did have some tailwinds, but even in a head wind I was getting 165-175 kt ground speeds. Also, I was not beating the engines to death; normal manifold pressure and reduced prop RPM (about 25/2300) with all temps in the green with cowl flaps closed up.
Once you are up there and cruising, and have it trimmed properly, it becomes a very gentle and speedy ship. This thing may have been used primarily for multiengine training, but I think it was born for touring. These kinds of speeds using roughly 15-17 gallons per hour, on two engines, are excellent. Taking off is pretty nice as your rudder will keep you on that runway even in decent crosswinds. Just pour on the coal, and fly her. Landings are my favorite part of flying any aircraft, and this ship represents a landing experience that gives you a feeling of accomplishment. No, it’s not landing a 747, but as I said, to me it just feels real in this department. I actually feel a bit like I’ve landed a complex airplane after I’ve brought this one back to earth.
Steep turns, S-turns, and crabbing are pretty well captured, but you will use a lot of rudder in those steep turns. Engine out performance was a fun test, and the prop does actually come to a halt once feathered. It seemed to adhere to engine out numbers, and this isn’t an airplane you want to fly on one engine. At least you’ll get down again, safely. All I can say is I simply love flying this ship. Usually I get 10-15 hours for a review, but I ended up flying this thing constantly, and I still am. I actually flew it up to Alaska and will be flying it back to the lower 48. It won’t do aerobatics, but I still love flying it. Sounds: Always a hard part of any review, is putting sound into words. It is a bit easier with the sounds that came with the Duchess, because one word can help to start the process. Exceptional. We’re also talking about the fact that the sounds are recorded from the real deal, which always gives a shot of life into any package. I loved these sounds from the first time I cranked the starter, hearing its unhappy whine and then hearing all four jugs pop and roar to life, to the time I pulled the mixture lever back and heard them sadly grind and cough to a halt. Externally, it makes you feel like you’re at an airport, especially when running it up before takeoff. There’s a familiar sound that a propeller makes during run-up, and even though it’s very hard to describe this ‘cutting and whipping’ type sound, it sounds just like GA I’ve heard at an airport. Something else that not every aircraft sound package has is the air whirring and hissing over the airframe in flight. I love hearing this, because from real flight experiences, you always hear this. Even over the engine, even through your headsets, you can still hear this in real life. It’s mostly noticeable on final, when the engines are quieted, but you’re still moving. This effect is duplicated so well inside the Duchess; it really makes me feel like I’m flying. The sounds are just great in this package. I love to turn the speakers up whenever I’m going to fly, especially for this ship.
Performance: In FS9, I did have some stutters while on the ramp. However, once up in the air, climbing with the gear retracted, it seemed to smooth right out. There was an occasional VC texture reload upon returning to the VC after extended periods outside the ship, but it was infrequent. FS9 performance was far more than adequate for me. FSX performance, though, is another story. It did not perform well here. However, I do not fault the Duchess, as even default FSX aircraft run just as poorly on my system. Unfortunately, I never have been able to get smooth frame rates out of FSX, and the Duchess was no exception to that. Overall, I think performance is quite good. As earlier mentioned, it will be the FS9 ship for me. Final: Final words on this aircraft? Buy it! I’ve not seen so many bangs for your buck in years, and it’s a steal for the price. It’s simply become my main FS ship, period. I can’t say I’ve flown such a seamless aircraft in a while; it’s just the light twin I’ve always wanted. As soon as I heard Just Flight was doing a Duchess, I had to review it. I’m glad I persisted as this package is a Grand-Slam, in my book. There are many high quality add-ons out there and this one sits just right. If you like light GA and twin engine aircraft, or the just Duchess itself, get it. You won’t be disappointed.
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