Black Square has recently published a new development update on their rendition of the Piston Duke and Turbine Duke for Microsoft Flight Simulator, modeled after the Beechcraft 60 Duke and BLR Performance Innovation's Grand Duke package, respectively.

The Beechcraft 60 Duke is a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft first flown in 1966 and introduced in 1968, with 596 built during its fifteen years of production. Black Square's rendition uses the 1974 model as a reference (when the B60 variant was introduced with interior arrangement renovations and engine efficiency tweaks).

It's powered by two Lycoming TIO541-E1C4 engines, developing 380 hp each, cruising at 330 km/h, with a service ceiling of 30,000ft and 1,227nm of range at 20,000ft with 45% power.

The Grand Duke package, on the other hand, adds 190 pounds of useful load, a 350 fpm increase in climb rate with winglets, and significantly lower approach speeds. The vortex generators are also said to make a dramatic difference in the aircraft's flight characteristics, considerably improving its safety may an emergency arise.

Nick Cyganski, the developer, has spent months developing "countless new features" that were never seen before in Microsoft Flight Simulator, some of which shall make their way into older Black Square products in the near future. The first of these features is the new in-cockpit EFB tablet, claimed to be the most complete interface yet for monitoring systems in the simulator. It includes an option configuration, payload and fuel manager, live electrical schematic, and failure options.

Their goal was the creation of real-time graphical representations of some of the most complex systems in general aviation aircraft, allowing both experienced and novice pilots to understand an aircraft's intricacies.

The Piston Duke (B60) will feature a reciprocating engine simulation, completely overhauling the engine start procedure and propeller feathering, along with the pre-existing fouling, vapor lock, flooding, backfire, and turbocharger simulations already present in their previous products. The crankshaft is driven by the physics of cylinder compression, fuel ignition, propeller drag, and friction throughout, and the engine oil pressure drives the propeller feathering, as in real life.

It will also feature instrument stiction and friction physics, with needles that can get temporarily stuck and unstuck with the engine vibration. Alternatively, one can tap on the gauges to get the needles to unstick.

The sounds were developed in partnership with Boris Audio Works, ensuring a high-quality sound floor on both variants.

Regarding navigation, it will feature the freeware KLN-90B GPS Navigator, along with support for the PMS GTN650 and TDS GTN650Xis, with 12 hot-swapping avionics combinations in total.

Beta testing has already started, and they plan to release the airplanes in March 2024. They will be available separately and in a discounted bundle, with a PDF user manual and a series of videos on Just Flights' YouTube channel.
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