BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 01:39

Greetings from a new member. I am looking to plunge in to a Duke after years of being worried about the”glass” engines. In my country the bad reputation wrt the engines still live on as no one knows about the lifters and pre oiler mods. Not to annoy anyone but we are 10-16 years behind on the Duke because of the expierience gap on this type” only my opinon” as everyone here just stuck with critizising the ship and the bad rep stuck. Sad but true. I have found a Duke that has not flown for 5 years( engines started every month) for 100k. Any advize or ideas from Duke lovers out there will be appreciated

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 01:46

I suppose my main concern is whether the carbide lifter mod anf pre oiler was/is as good as Duke owner claim. The higher DOC and overhaul cost is not a concern as I believe they are offset by looks, performance and capability.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 08:27

Because of the engine design it requires one be more patient with warm up.
Carbide lifters and preoilers May help, but if you crank up and fly, you will still shorten the engine life.
After 50 yrs of aircraft ownership, it is still a crapshoot with any aircraft. We had a new A-36 crack a cylinder nearly off after 50 hrs.
I have a Duke for sale so I am reluctant to tout them to a potential buyer.
I have had two and love the planes.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 08:31

Username Protected wrote:

In my country...

Welcome!

Which country is that? So much of operating an airplane depends on the FAA equivalent and local maintenance expertise. What may be true in one principality may be utter falsehood the next country over.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 13:24

I am from South Africa and only 2 or so Dukes fly here

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Mar 2019, 13:52

HI David,

Rocky has been a great mentor/wealth of information for me on our Duke - Brent has also been a great source of knowledge and parts on our Duke.

We love our Duke - only place we do not is at the fuel pumps but feeding two 380HP engines does take some fuel.

It has been a joy getting(working on it) our Duke flying again and flying it.

Ken

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Mar 2019, 12:22

Welcome to the Duke family, I have a complete horizontal stabalizer if any one needs one. They have magnesuim corrosion problems. This one was re-skined with aluminum and I have all the paper work for appoval. Let me know if anyone needs this. Thanks.

B 60 Buyer