Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The Twin Beech is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft recognisable by its twin fins and, in its familiar configuration, tailwheel landing gear. Production began in the 1930s and continued for decades. Operators adapted it to a wide range of commercial and military jobs. Different Model 18 derivatives can carry different undercarriages, cabin layouts and equipment.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Following the rivers south on straight floats
Haines remembers the preparation almost as strongly as the flying. Moving a float-equipped Beech 18 south for the winter meant hauling fuel cans, adding oil, pumping water from float compartments and climbing across the aircraft to reach its far side. Once airborne, he recognised the familiar balance of Beech controls, although the loads felt heavier and the floats made the journey unhurried.
AOPA Pilot · April 2014. Three-day Minnesota–Florida trip in C18S N44573 on straight floats, with owner Mark Baker.
AOPA Pilot · Read more ↗Carenado’s entry in the Local Legends series
Microsoft identifies Carenado as the developer of Local Legend V, released in June 2022. The announcement describes ten liveries, including Navy, Aviator’s Club and civilian schemes. Its historical descriptions of floats and skis concern the real aircraft family and do not establish those configurations in the add-on.
Model 18 Twin Beech · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Martin Pauly · 46 min ·
Flying the Twin Beech (Beech 18)
Martin Pauly joins a Twin Beech owner to explore the aircraft in flight.
Real aircraft · Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
The Twin Beech is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft recognisable by its twin fins and, in its familiar configuration, tailwheel landing gear. Production began in the 1930s and continued for decades. Operators adapted it to a wide range of commercial and military jobs.
Different Model 18 derivatives can carry different undercarriages, cabin layouts and equipment. It carried passengers and freight on smaller-scale transport routes before turboprops became commonplace.
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
Beechcraft → · Explore the family →
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
Wikipedia contributors · Beechcraft Model 18 ↗Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024 →Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020 →Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A business twin that found many other jobs
The Model 18 began flying in 1937 as an executive and small-airline transport. Its adaptable layout also suited charter routes, mail services and operations on skis or floats. Military versions expanded the family into personnel transport, reconnaissance, navigation training and bombardier training, helping establish the Twin Beech as a familiar working aircraft.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum · Beechcraft D18S Twin Beech ↗Smithsonian collection history · Model 18 family and wartime roles
Postwar development and an air-ambulance career
The postwar D18S incorporated structural changes for greater payload, revised landing gear and Pratt & Whitney radial engines. Further development led to the Super 18, and final production deliveries came in 1969. The museum’s D18S, N522B, illustrates the type’s civilian usefulness: Mike Mitchell acquired it in 1958 and operated it as a Phoenix-based air ambulance for fifteen years before its later donation.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum · Beechcraft D18S Twin Beech ↗Smithsonian collection history · D18S, Super 18 and the specific history of N522B
Development milestones
First flight: 15 January 1937
Wikipedia contributors · Beechcraft Model 18 ↗Beechcraft Model 18 · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1365640017
Pilot accounts
Following the rivers south on straight floats
Haines remembers the preparation almost as strongly as the flying. Moving a float-equipped Beech 18 south for the winter meant hauling fuel cans, adding oil, pumping water from float compartments and climbing across the aircraft to reach its far side. Once airborne, he recognised the familiar balance of Beech controls, although the loads felt heavier and the floats made the journey unhurried.
His first landing on the trip was on Kentucky Lake, with Mark Baker coaching him. They used ample open water and accepted a long taxi to the marina, where another pilot helped at the dock. Then the servicing began again. Following rivers and looking down at the towns and transport routes gave the journey a sense of continuity with the aircraft’s earlier working life. For Haines, the effort was part of the reward of travelling in it.
AOPA Pilot · April 2014. Three-day Minnesota–Florida trip in C18S N44573 on straight floats, with owner Mark Baker.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗An aeroplane to keep flying with his father
Blackstone and his father had already shared airline cockpits when they decided to create a small charter operation together. His father’s retirement from airline flying made the project especially meaningful. They wanted vintage character and a comfortable cabin, and chose a restored Twin Beech after deciding that a DC-3 was beyond the scale of their plans.
They collected the aircraft in Florida on Father’s Day in 2014 and flew it home together. Their plans included trips to places such as Napa Valley and Catalina Island, giving passengers a personal version of travel in an older airliner. After his father died the following year, Blackstone continued flying the aircraft in his memory. In the interview, he hoped their example would encourage other parents and children to pursue flying together, making the Beech a link between a family’s past and future.
Barry Schiff’s AOPA Pilot interview · June 2017. Restored E18S N90TT with a Volpar tricycle-gear conversion; ownership and charter recollections.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗A patient introduction to a large taildragger
Darrah gave the visiting pilot time to learn the unfamiliar cockpit before starting the engines. During the flight he managed small engine adjustments while the reviewer concentrated on formation flying and handling. Both enjoyed the sound of the synchronised radials after their preparations for the flight.
The reviewer had postponed earlier opportunities to wait for suitable runway and wind conditions. Returning to White Waltham, he became tense about landing a large taildragger on its uneven grass. Darrah added a little control pressure after a small bounce and later cautioned against turning off too quickly. Once parked, the reviewer sat quietly before climbing out, noticing how much concentration the flight had required. Darrah’s calm coaching had made a long-awaited experience possible without disguising the aircraft’s demands.
Pilot magazine · March 2017 web edition. D-model Expeditor G-BKGL at White Waltham; Darrah owns the aircraft and coaches the visiting reviewer, whose name is absent from this web edition.
Read the full account · Pilot magazine ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024Model 18 Twin Beech
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Model 18 Twin Beech
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020Model 18 Twin Beech
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Model 18 Twin Beech
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 34 ft 3 in (10.44 m) |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 8 in (14.53 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) |
| Wing area | 349 sq ft (32.4 m² ) |
| Empty weight | 5,420 lb (2,458 kg) |
| Gross weight | 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 "Wasp Junior" radial engines , 450 hp (340 kW) each |
| Maximum speed | 225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn) |
| Range | 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi) at 160 mph (260 km/h; 140 kn) and 5,000 ft (1,500 m) |
| Service ceiling | 26,000 ft (7,900 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,850 ft/min (9.4 m/s) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Carenado’s entry in the Local Legends seriesModel 18 Twin Beech · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Microsoft identifies Carenado as the developer of Local Legend V, released in June 2022. The announcement describes ten liveries, including Navy, Aviator’s Club and civilian schemes. Its historical descriptions of floats and skis concern the real aircraft family and do not establish those configurations in the add-on.
Original MSFS release context, 2022; current MSFS 2024 inclusion is sourced separately.
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read the source ↗The original MSFS 2020 releaseModel 18 Twin Beech · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The June 2022 Local Legend V release offers the Twin Beech for PC and Xbox. Its ten-livery package includes a historic Navy scheme and civil variations.
2022-06-14 · release and package scope
Microsoft Flight Simulator Team · Read the source ↗Pilot account
Following the rivers south on straight floatsAOPA Pilot · April 2014. Three-day Minnesota–Florida trip in C18S N44573 on straight floats, with owner Mark Baker.
Haines remembers the preparation almost as strongly as the flying. Moving a float-equipped Beech 18 south for the winter meant hauling fuel cans, adding oil, pumping water from float compartments and climbing across the aircraft to reach its far side. Once airborne, he recognised the familiar balance of Beech controls, although the loads felt heavier and the floats made the journey unhurried. His first landing on the trip was on Kentucky Lake, with Mark Baker coaching him.
Thomas B. Haines
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗An aeroplane to keep flying with his fatherBarry Schiff’s AOPA Pilot interview · June 2017. Restored E18S N90TT with a Volpar tricycle-gear conversion; ownership and charter recollections.
Blackstone and his father had already shared airline cockpits when they decided to create a small charter operation together. His father’s retirement from airline flying made the project especially meaningful. They wanted vintage character and a comfortable cabin, and chose a restored Twin Beech after deciding that a DC-3 was beyond the scale of their plans. They collected the aircraft in Florida on Father’s Day in 2014 and flew it home together.
Michael “Rocket” Blackstone
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
Beechcraft Model 18Wikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1365640017 · retrieved 2026-09-12 Beechcraft D18S Twin BeechSmithsonian National Air and Space Museum · Collection A19761792000 · family development and air-ambulance N522BResource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftDeveloper documentation
LOCAL LEGEND V: BEECHCRAFT MODEL 18Microsoft Flight Simulator Team · 2022-06-14 · release and package scopeType designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech: The twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance.
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech: The twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech · MSFS 2024 · family starting point
- Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech · MSFS 2020 · family starting point
Microsoft Model 18 announcement; optional float, amphibious and ski configurations are not all covered by a wheeled preset. · Selected choice: Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. Documentary scope does not establish every variant, add-on revision or simulator binding.
The simulator model and controls
The Twin Beech is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft recognisable by its twin fins and, in its familiar configuration, tailwheel landing gear. Production began in the 1930s and continued for decades. Operators adapted it to a wide range of commercial and military jobs.
This starting point selects Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
The Model 18 announcement describes twin R-985 radial engines and conventional landing gear, with floats, amphibious gear and skis available in the family. The selected undercarriage remains explicit because those kits change ground and water contact. Performance figures stated in mph are kept separate from the profile's indicated-knot response reference.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
The announcement identifies the Model 18 family and notes alternative surface kits.
Twin R-985 radial engines and traditional landing gear are described, with optional floats/amphibious gear/skis.
Cruise and stall speeds are stated in mph; they are not an exact indicated-knot force calibration.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
Not yet reviewedThe Model 18 announcement describes twin R-985 radial engines and conventional landing gear, with floats, amphibious gear and skis available in the family. The selected undercarriage remains explicit because those kits change ground and water contact. Performance figures stated in mph are kept separate from the profile's indicated-knot response reference.
Trim
Not yet reviewedPitch relief is a chosen response to valid trim input, with no measured trim authority supplied by the announcement. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
Not yet reviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
ReviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
ReviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2024, msfs2020. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 77.5 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 155 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value155.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value77.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 77.5 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.045 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 155 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value20 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value77.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value155.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 77.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyPitch relief is a chosen response to valid trim input, with no measured trim authority supplied by the announcement. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- The brief announcement does not identify primary-control transmission or cockpit load gradients.
- No Model 18 trim mechanism or simulator trim authority is established by this announcement.
- No autopilot equipment or external servo interface is specified in the announcement.
- Surface-kit availability and package identity do not establish simulator effect telemetry.
- Radial-engine identity and performance figures do not calibrate Model 18 stick force or idle roughness.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
Discuss this aircraft (0)
Questions, observations and useful sources from the community.
No published discussions yet. Bring a question or share a useful source.
Open aircraft discussions →Content expanded · What’s new
Something missing or a source that needs attention?
Suggest a correction ↗
