For the first time since the project was revealed in April of last year, we are getting a comprehensive look at Black Square Simulations’ upcoming Beechcraft 60 Duke for Microsoft Flight Simulator. In a post on JustFlight.com, the developer’s marketing and retail partner, Black Square’s Nick Cyganski filled in many details about the twin-engine aircraft and even teased a release date.
We already knew that Black Square was committed to delivering the turbine conversion Duke as well as the original, turbocharged, piston-engine version of the B60. But with the product pages for both the piston and turbine versions now live, we can see an extensive list of what each product will deliver. While both versions of the Duke share a common airframe, Black Square states that they offer “vastly different flying experiences”. (A PDF comparing the two versions is available here).
Cyganski revealed that the piston Duke will get a custom-developed advanced reciprocating engine simulation. This simulation “completely overhauls engine starting and propeller feathering, in addition to the fouling, vapour lock, flooding, backfire and turbocharger simulations featured in previous Black Square aircraft.” Modeled after the 1974 B60 variant, the piston Duke will be available with and without the ‘Grand Duke’ performance package that adds BLR Aerospace winglets, vortex generators, aft fuselage strakes, as well as extra fuel, increased cruise speeds, and increased useful load.
The turbine Duke features Black Square’s improved turbine engine dynamics for accurate simulation of ITT, TRQ, Ng, Fuel Flow, inertial separator usage, and residual engine heat. Exceedances of engine limitations will decrease engine longevity and eventually lead to complete engine failure. Other turbine failure modes include hot starts, compressor stalls and surging, and fuel control unit failures.
Both the piston and turbine versions of the Duke will get a variety of radio navigation systems and other equipment from different eras of the Duke’s history. Avionics options include 12 hot-swapping avionics combinations, including the Bendix/King KLN-90B as well as support for the GTN 650 / 750 (PMS50 or TDS), and GNS 530 / GNS 430. A Century IV autopilot is also included in both versions.
Both Duke versions will also get a custom-developed, in-cockpit EFB to interface with all aspects of the simulation – this is the first time we’re seeing a tablet utilized in any Black Square aircraft and it looks extremely comprehensive. Concerning the EFB itself, Cyganski stated, “I am most proud of my new in-cockpit EFB tablet, which was originally designed to replace the weather radar interface for interacting with the Black Square failure system; however, it quickly became the most complete interface yet for monitoring aircraft systems in MSFS. This includes an options configuration, payload and fuel management, piston and turbine engine visualisers, live electrical schematic, cabin environmental system visualiser, and failure options.”
Black Square also announced that they have partnered with Boris Audo Works on the Duke promising “an audiovisual experience that you will not soon forget.” The developer suggested the possibility that Boris Audio Works’ soundsets might also be added to future Black Square aircraft.
The development update post wrapped up by stating that beta testing of piston and turbine Duke is underway with a planned concurrent release in March 2024.
Stay tuned to FSElite as we bring you more details.
