Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale selects a standout airplane that surprises us with its features, condition, or overall value. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.
Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Beechcraft B60 Duke.
With its distinctive nose profile and sleek lines, the Beechcraft B60 Duke turns heads on any ramp. Built with pressurization, turbocharged Lycoming engines, and an unmistakable ramp presence, the Duke was designed for the owner-pilot looking for airline comfort in a personal aircraft.
This particular 1979 B60 Duke, based in Houston, stands out for its incredibly low airframe time that sits at just 1,950 hours total, along with factory-new engines with only 1,150 hours each. That leaves ample time to fly before major maintenance, and the airplane’s upgrades make this a smart pick for pilots wanting dependable speed, comfort, and avionics capability.
Inside, the aircraft offers a refined environment with light beige leather seating for six, including headrests and curtains for passenger comfort. The panel has been upgraded with a suite of Garmin avionics, including a GNS 530 WAAS and GNS 430 WAAS, paired with a Garmin transponder, slaved HSI, and Century 41 flight director/autopilot with yaw damper. The equipment list continues with radar, ADF, Stormscope, and an engine management system for efficient cruise performance.
Other airframe highlights include strobes, beacon, dual instruments, heated pitot, alternate static source, fuel flow meters, digital clock, prop sync, taxi and landing lights, and extended range fuel tanks that increase the aircraft’s utility for long trips. The aircraft also comes with air conditioning, which can be a major benefit for summer flying.
What makes the Duke so desirable, even decades after its final production run, is the way it manages to deliver turbine-like performance and comfort in a piston package. Its design heritage blends the luxury of executive-class cabins with hands-on pilot engagement, making it a favorite among discerning owner-operators.
The Duke is not just a tool—it’s an experience.
The airplane has been with its current owner since 2011. Longer-term ownership is often a good indicator of thoughtful and consistent maintenance. Historic stability can add a layer of confidence for prospective buyers evaluating its condition and pedigree.
Now listed at $225,000 on AircraftForSale, this 1979 Beechcraft B60 Duke represents a compelling blend of capability and value. With pressurization, low total time, modern avionics, and extended range, it’s a smart choice for pilots looking to step into a refined, high-performance piston twin.
If you’re considering ownership of a cabin-class piston twin, you can use our airplane loan calculator to help understand potential payments. Financing options are available through FLYING Finance. Visit flyingfinance.com to explore resources or speak with a specialist to learn more.
- FLYING Magazine: Beechcraft: A History
- FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
- Plane & Pilot: Used Light Twins Roundup
- The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Beech Duke
