Story ID: 
Turboprop Baron Under Development
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Spokane, Wash.-based Rocket Engineering is developing the Turbine P/Baron in parallel with the Royal Turbine Duke program.
Word Count: 118
Spokane, Wash.-based Rocket Engineering is developing the Turbine P/Baron in parallel with the Royal Turbine Duke program. The Baron conversion, which fits two PT6A-21 turboprops and Hartzell four-blade full-feathering-reversing metal props to the light twin, costs about $700,000 (airframe additional). The company plans to have an STC in about 12 to 18 months. According to a spokesman, the engineering, cowling molds and motor mounts are complete, and the factory began work late last month on Turbine P/Baron S/N 001. The re-engined Baron is expected to have a takeoff run of 1,000 feet, 5,000-fpm climb rate and cruise at 300 to 305 knots. According to Rocket Engineering, the engines will burn between 300 and 350 pph for a maximum range of about 1,100 nm.