The History and Evolution of the Beechcraft Duke and the RealAir Turbine Duke V2 for FSX
[FSX] - RealAir, Turbine Duke (Aircraft)
If you are a fan of flight simulation, you probably know about FSX, or Microsoft Flight Simulator X, one of the most popular and realistic flight simulators ever created. You may also know about RealAir, a company that specializes in creating high-quality add-ons for FSX and other simulators. One of their most impressive products is the Turbine Duke V2, a modification of the classic Beechcraft Duke that replaces its piston engines with powerful turbines. In this article, we will review this amazing add-on and see why it is a must-have for any serious flight simmer.
[FSX] - RealAir, Turbine Duke (Aircraft)
History of the Beechcraft Duke
The Beechcraft Duke is a twin-engine, six-seat, pressurized light aircraft that was first introduced in 1968. It was designed to offer a new profile with swept-back styling, luxurious interiors, cabin pressurization, turbocharged engines, and optional air conditioning. The Lycoming engines selected for the Duke were designed with turbochargers as an integral part to provide high altitude performance and maximum engine reliability. The same proven landing gear used on the Bonanza and Baron airplanes was strengthened and incorporated into the Model 60 design.
The production flight tests began in December of 1966 and the first Duke 60 was delivered in August of 1968. The Duke soon proved to be the best performing, lowest priced, IFR equipped, pressurized twin available for the times. The Duke Model A60 was introduced in March of 1970 with new interiors, cabin and cockpit appointments, and exterior changes. The Duke B60 was introduced in October of 1973 with further improvements such as more cabin space, lower instrument panel glare shield, longer seat tracks, flatter floorboards, and relocated pressurization valves.
The last Duke was produced in 1982 after a run of 596 airplanes. There are some 411 still flying today. The Duke is fast, comfortable, quiet, and extremely stable. It performs as well or better than any other aircraft in its class. It has a cruising speed of over 200 knots, a range of over 1000 nautical miles, a service ceiling of over 30000 feet, and a payload of over 1500 pounds.
Features of the RealAir Turbine Duke V2
The RealAir Turbine Duke V2 is not just a simple repaint or re-engineering of the original piston-powered Duke. It is a complete overhaul that simulates every aspect of the real aircraft with high fidelity and accuracy. It offers realistic flight dynamics, sounds, visuals, and systems that make you feel like you are flying the real thing.
One of the most noticeable features of the Turbine Duke V2 is its engine sound. The Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbines produce a distinctive whine that changes according to throttle position, propeller pitch, airspeed, altitude, and ambient temperature. The sound is recorded from real turbine engines and is synchronized with cockpit animations and external views. The sound is also affected by the environment, such as buildings, mountains, and weather. You can hear the turbines spool up and down, the propellers bite the air, and the exhaust blast behind you.
Another feature of the Turbine Duke V2 is its flight model. The RealAir team has spent countless hours testing and refining the flight dynamics to match the real aircraft as closely as possible. The Turbine Duke V2 handles differently from the piston Duke, as it has more power, less drag, and lighter controls. It also has more complex systems, such as torque limiters, propeller governors, fuel selectors, and engine condition levers. You can feel the effects of torque, prop wash, P-factor, gyroscopic precession, and ground effect on the flight controls. You can also experience realistic stalls, spins, and aerobatics.
The Turbine Duke V2 also has stunning visuals that enhance the immersion and realism. The 3D model is highly detailed and accurate, with smooth animations and reflections. The textures are crisp and realistic, with bump mapping and specular effects. The cockpit is fully functional and interactive, with custom gauges, switches, levers, and indicators. You can also customize the appearance of the aircraft with different liveries, interiors, and options.
Finally, the Turbine Duke V2 has some unique features that add to the challenge and fun of flying it. For example, you can simulate engine failures, icing conditions, oxygen depletion, and other emergencies that require quick thinking and action. You can also use the RealView feature that simulates the effects of g-forces, turbulence, and ground contact on your vision and head movement. You can also use the Accu-Feel feature that adds realistic sounds and vibrations to the cockpit.
Installation and Configuration
The installation of the Turbine Duke V2 is simple and straightforward. You just need to download the installer from the RealAir website or your preferred vendor and run it. The installer will automatically detect your FSX installation folder and copy the necessary files to it. You will also need to enter your registration key that you received when you purchased the add-on.
The configuration of the Turbine Duke V2 is also easy and user-friendly. You can access the configuration panel from the FSX menu or by pressing Shift+3 in the cockpit. The configuration panel allows you to adjust various settings and options for the add-on, such as sound volume, realism level, performance optimization, display resolution, cockpit lighting, panel state, fuel load, payload distribution, and more. You can also select from different avionics packages that include Garmin GNS 530/430 GPS units or Reality XP GNS 530/430 units (if you have them installed).
The Turbine Duke V2 comes with a comprehensive documentation that covers everything you need to know about the add-on. You can find the PDF manuals in your FSX\RealAir\Turbine Duke V2 folder or by clicking on the documentation button in the configuration panel. The manuals include a user guide that explains how to use the add-on features and systems, a flying guide that gives tips and procedures for flying the aircraft, a paint kit guide that shows how to create your own liveries for the aircraft, and a reference guide that provides useful data and charts for the aircraft.
If you need any support or assistance with the add-on, you can contact RealAir through their website or email address. They are very responsive and helpful to their customers and will try to solve any issues or answer any questions you may have.
Flying the Turbine Duke V2
Flying the Turbine Duke V2 is a rewarding and enjoyable experience that will test your skills and knowledge as a pilot. The aircraft is fast, powerful, and agile, but also complex and demanding. You will need to follow proper procedures and checklists to operate it safely and efficiently.
The start-up procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is not very complicated but requires some attention to detail. You will need to turn on the battery switch, set the fuel selectors to main tanks, turn on the boost pumps, set the condition levers to low idle, set the ignition switches to auto/start, and press the starter buttons for each engine. You will then need to monitor the engine parameters such as ITT (interstage turbine temperature), NG (gas generator speed), NP (propeller speed), oil pressure, and fuel flow. You will also need to adjust the condition levers to high idle after the engines stabilize.
The taxi procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is fairly simple but requires some caution. You will need to release the parking brake, set the flaps to approach position, turn on the taxi light, and use the rudder pedals and differential braking to steer the aircraft. You will need to be careful not to over-torque the engines or exceed the propeller speed limits. You will also need to avoid sudden or large throttle movements that could cause a loss of control or damage the engines.
The take-off procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is relatively easy but requires some practice and coordination. You will need to line up with the runway, turn on the landing light, set the condition levers to max, release the brakes, and smoothly advance the throttles to take-off power. You will need to use the rudder pedals to maintain directional control and apply slight back pressure on the yoke to lift off at around 90 knots. You will then need to retract the landing gear and flaps, reduce the power to climb setting, and set the propeller speed to 2000 RPM. You will also need to follow the ATC instructions and navigation plan for your departure.
The cruise procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is very simple but requires some attention to fuel management and engine monitoring. You will need to set the power, propeller speed, and condition levers according to your desired cruise altitude, speed, and fuel economy. You will also need to lean the mixture using the fuel flow gauges and the EGT (exhaust gas temperature) indicators. You will also need to check the engine parameters such as ITT, NG, NP, oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel pressure regularly. You will also need to switch the fuel tanks every 30 minutes to keep them balanced.
The descent and approach procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is fairly straightforward but requires some planning and anticipation. You will need to reduce the power, propeller speed, and condition levers gradually as you descend to your destination. You will also need to enrich the mixture as you lose altitude and adjust the cabin pressurization as needed. You will also need to follow the ATC instructions and navigation plan for your arrival. You will also need to set up your avionics and autopilot for your chosen approach type, such as ILS, VOR, GPS, or visual.
The landing procedure for the Turbine Duke V2 is somewhat challenging but very rewarding. You will need to extend the landing gear and flaps as you enter the final approach. You will also need to set the power, propeller speed, and condition levers according to your desired approach speed and glide slope. You will also need to use the rudder pedals and ailerons to maintain alignment with the runway and use the yoke and elevator trim to control your pitch attitude. You will also need to flare slightly before touchdown and apply gentle braking and reverse thrust as needed. You will then need to exit the runway, turn off the landing light, and taxi to your parking spot.
Conclusion
The RealAir Turbine Duke V2 is an amazing add-on for FSX that offers a realistic and immersive simulation of a powerful and versatile aircraft. It has many features that make it stand out from other add-ons, such as realistic sound, flight dynamics, visuals, systems, and custom features. It is also easy to install and configure, and comes with comprehensive documentation and support.
The Turbine Duke V2 is not an aircraft for beginners or casual simmers. It is a complex and demanding aircraft that requires proper procedures and checklists to operate safely and efficiently. It is also a fast and agile aircraft that requires skill and coordination to fly well. It is an aircraft that will challenge you and reward you with every flight.
If you are looking for a new add-on that will take your flight simulation experience to a new level, you should definitely try the RealAir Turbine Duke V2. It is one of the best add-ons ever created for FSX and one of my personal favorites. I highly recommend it to any serious flight simmer who loves turbine-powered twins.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about the RealAir Turbine Duke V2:
Q: How much does it cost and where can I buy it?
A: The RealAir Turbine Duke V2 costs $49.95 USD and you can buy it from [the RealAir website] or from other online vendors such as [SimMarket] or [FlightSim Store].
Q: Does it work with other simulators such as P3D or X-Plane?
A: The RealAir Turbine Duke V2 is designed for FSX only. It does not work with other simulators such as P3D or X-Plane.
Q: What are the system requirements for the RealAir Turbine Duke V2?
A: The RealAir Turbine Duke V2 requires a minimum of FSX SP2 or Acceleration, Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8, a 2.6 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card with 512 MB of VRAM, and 1 GB of hard disk space. For optimal performance and realism, a higher-end system is recommended.
Q: How can I learn more about the RealAir Turbine Duke V2?
A: You can learn more about the RealAir Turbine Duke V2 by visiting [the RealAir website] where you can find more information, screenshots, videos, reviews, and forums. You can also read the manuals that come with the add-on or watch some tutorials on YouTube.
Q: How can I contact RealAir if I have any problems or feedback?
A: You can contact RealAir by sending an email to [support@realairsimulations.com] or by using the contact form on [the RealAir website]. They are very friendly and helpful and will try to reply as soon as possible. dcd2dc6462