Originally Posted by
Cows getting bigger
The Duke can bite. Rudder force required nearing Vmca is an awful lot. Vs is about 73kts, Vmca pretty much the same (maybe a couple of kts more) and Vyse out at 107kts. I always thought the aircraft was a bit quirky and nowhere near as nice to fly as the C90. I certainly wouldn't fancy the challenge of trying to fly away if an engine let go immediately after take-off as it feels nowhere near as forgiving as a C421 or PA31 in such circumstances.
Just went down and looked at one a couple hangars down from mine and according to the POH/ASI: (without a VG kit)
Vmca=85
Vyse=112
And, as I recall, from zero thrust demo during my checkout, (a million years ago), you are absolutely correct about fairly high rudder forces required to keep things pointed where they are supposed to be. (Not quite as bad as a T-28 C in slow flight, but definitely enough to make your leg shake until you get it trimmed up)