While turboprops may not be able to fly as
far or as fast as most private jets, the right turboprop can be a great fit for missions
with shorter legs. The efficiency of these turboprop engines
coupled with the cost savings of single-pilot operations means these aircraft can get the
job done at a relatively low cost. In no order let’s look at the 10 best turboprop
airplanes. 10. Piper Meridian. The meridian is one of the most cost-effective
small turboprop airplanes on the market today, the Piper Meridian has come to exemplify the
ultimate combination of American engineering and elegance. This airplane is good at both short-range
and long-range flights, the Meridian uses the highly reliable 600hp Pratt and Whitney
PT6 turbine engine and Garmin’s advanced avionics to yield a flight range over 1,000
miles at an altitude of 30,000 ft. Both you and your passengers will have no
problems arriving on time and in style. The Meridian’s interior is the envy of other
aircraft. It has a spacious cabin, which can comfortably
seat up to 5 passengers with all the luxuries you’d expect from a Piper plane, such as
premium leather, lush carpet, and genuine woods. Corporate executives enjoy the convenience
of work tables in this airplane, also the USB charging ports, and lighting control. The price for a brand-new Piper Meridian is
about $3m. 9. Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
Introduced in 1964, Beechcraft and the 'King Air' 90 and 100 series aircraft are iconic
in the business and utility category of aviation. With a maximum flight range of 1500 miles,
cruising at 250 mph, and an impressive sitting capacity of up to 8, the C90GTx can carry
your entire family from California to Texas non-stop, or New York to Atlanta, or London
to Madrid, even Paris to Moscow. Since its introduction in 1964, the little
king air has undergone 50 years of continuous innovation and improvement, making it today’s
best-selling business turboprop plane. 8. Epic E1000. The E1000 is the most recent turboprop airplane
in the market today, and it is designed with the most modern construction and design technologies,
such as computer CAD and CAM. And because of this, the E1000 came with so
many advancements, such as a sleeker modern design, composite fuselage construction, and
glass cockpit, making it the most beautiful single-engine turboprop to look at. The E1000 promises a 360 mph cruise speed
and may be a viable option for those seeking a speed machine. Initially introduced back in 2004 as the Epic
LT. On paper, the E1000 slays the TBM 930, its
nearest competitor. it is stated to deliver fuel burns of 60 gallons
per hour at cruise speeds of 300 knots and 40 gallons per hour fuel burn at 300 knots
up to 34,000 feet. The time to climb to maximum altitude is just
15 minutes. According to Epic aircraft, the useful load
on this aircraft is 1,100 pounds with a range of at least 1,650 nautical miles. The price for a brand-new Epic E1000 is about
$3.5m. 7. Daher TBM 940. The TBM is a multi-purpose powerhouse that
can take you from point A to point B fast, comfortably, and efficiently. The design of the TBM family originates from
the Mooney 301, a comparatively low-powered and smaller prototype Mooney developed in
the early 1980s. Following Mooney's acquisition by French owners,
Mooney and SOCATA started a joint venture for the purpose of developing a new competitive
turboprop airplane, which was designated as the TBM 700. Emphasis was placed upon the design's speed,
altitude, and reliability. The newest model, the TBM 940 brings together
years of intelligent thinking into arguably the best single-engine turboprop. This airplane uses the Pratt & Whitney PT6
engine, which helps it to climb and cruise faster than its predecessors without any increase
in horsepower. This airplane is built for versatility, it
is perfect for a family or business executives. This aircraft cruises at 380mph, climbs at
4000 ft/min, with a range of 2000 miles. The price for this airplane is $4.3m brand-new. 6. Pilatus PC12. The PC12 is a versatile workhorse, a multi-purpose
powerhouse, and a highly reliable airplane, which can take you from gravel to grass or
even more rudimentary runways. It’s perfect for business executives, with
up to 10 passengers treated to a true office in the sky with the latest entertainment and
communication devices, as well as reliable WIFI and USB ports. The interior is designed in conjunction with
BMW, and you can choose from six flashy interior packages featuring European leathers and ergonomic
seating. Where the PC-12 excels is the aircraft’s
safety profile. With almost 1,700 PC-12s in the air and over
600 million flight hours, it’s considered one of the safest and most reliable aircraft. It’s also one of the most versatile single-pilot
turboprop planes used all around the world for business charters, air ambulance, surveillance,
law enforcement, and cargo transport. A brand-new PC 12 cost about $5.5m 5. Piaggio Avanti EVO. Speed, comfort, and cost-effectiveness are
the defining characteristics of the Avanti EVO. Piaggio Aerospace used the best in Italian
design, in combination with superb craftsmanship to create a highperformance aircraft that
do not only turns heads for its sleek looks, but also for its superior performance and
amenities. The Avanti EVO exceeds speeds of 460 mph,
making it the world’s fastest turboprop plane, even faster than some jets and at a
fraction of the operational cost. With an impressive range of 1759 nautical
miles, The Avanti can fly nonstop from New York to California, Los Angeles to Mexico
City, Texas to Chicago, and Toronto to the Bahamas. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your
ecological footprint, the EVO emits 40% less CO2 emissions compared to other light aircraft. The beauty of this airplane is striking, and
it never goes unnoticed, its curved aerodynamic design provides a sleek profile, while the
spacious and light-filled cabin offers a headroom of 5 foot 9 inches and an abundance of space
for up to 8 passengers. The standard EVO even comes with a restroom. The price for a brand-new Piaggio Avanti EVO
is about $7.5m. 4. Beechcraft Super King Air 350i. Space and comfort are the defining characteristics
of the Beechcraft Super King Air 350i. With a maximum flight range of 1,806 nautical
miles and an impressive capacity of up to 11 passengers, the Beechcraft Super King Air
can carry your entire family from London to almost everywhere in Europe Nonstop. First released in 1972, the corporate heavy
lifter has undergone 40 years of continuous innovation and improvement, making it today’s
best-selling business turboprop plane. Pilots can take advantage of the latest NextGen-ready
touch-screen avionics and multi-scan weather tracking for simple in-flight aviation. The best thing is that the Beechcraft team
aims to please both passengers and pilots alike. Passengers can enjoy executive seating, fold-out
tables, power outlets, and Wi-Fi connectivity in the soundproofed cabin, which measures
17-feet-long. There are 6 interior design packages to choose
from, ranging from elegant silver and pewter tones to timeless saddle tan with distinctive
rich woods. Currently, buying this airplane brand new
will cost you about $8m. 3. Cessna 208 Caravan
With over 30 years of proven capability in turboprop aircraft, the Cessna 208 Caravan
is an economical and dependable single-engine suitable for a variety of missions. Its powerful 675-horsepower turbine engine
delivers a rare combination of high performance and low operational cost. As the name suggests, the Caravan is a people
mover, with the capacity to transport 11 passengers in comfort with easy “air-stair” boarding
and ample luggage space of 342 lbs. You can customize the seating arrangement
of the cabin to match your mission and optimize revenue on each flight, although the color
scheme is limited. No corner of the world is out of reach with
the Cessna Caravan, landlocked or surrounded by water. With rugged and versatile landing gear, the
Caravan can adapt for land, sea, or sky, making it an obvious choice for aviators who need
remote adaptability. Fitted with the latest aviation technology,
pilots can take advantage of Garmin’s next-generation avionics, flight control system, and satellite
data link, which offers voice and text capability for remote locations. This airplane uses the 675hp Pratt and Whitney
PT6A engine, which helps it to cruise at 214mph, climb at 1200ft/min, with a range of 1000
miles. The 208 Caravan unit costs about US$2.3m and
US$2.7m million for the 208B Grand Caravan EX. 2. Daher Kodiak, the Kodiak is the only single-engine
turboprop that can match the versatility of the PC12. Just like the Pilatus, this airplane can take
you from gravel to grass or even more undeveloped runways. As one of the few turboprop planes that easily
transforms into a seaplane, or from passenger to cargo, the Daher Kodiak is built to cover
all kinds of crusades from construction sites to mountain ridges and even the sea. Its narrow wing-span and short take-off capability
make the Kodiak a master of tight airspaces and mini runways, while the robust gear means
it can handle the toughest of terrain. With 21st-century technology, the Kodiak offers
situational awareness, integrated autopilot, and navigation assistance safer flying in
all weather conditions. Kodiak is in a class of its own when it comes
to customization. With adjustable seating and three interior
packages, you can create a cabin that truly fits your lifestyle. You can prioritize functionality and freight
carrying capacity with lightweight, yet heavy-duty interiors, or take your interior to the summit
with club seating, cabinetry, and carpet that’s fit for your family vacation or business meeting. Using the 750hp Pratt and Whitney PT6 engine,
the Kodiak Cruises at 211mph, climbs at 1300ft/min, with a range of 1300 miles. The price for this airplane is about $2.2m. 1. Cessna Conquest II. This airplane has been out of production since
1986, Released in 1977, the Conquest was Cessna’s first turboprop-powered aircraft and, over
the years, has matured into a coveted aircraft for its cost efficiency and impressive speed. Compact, lightweight, and powerful, the Cessna
Conquest II boasts a maximum flight distance of 1,700 nautical miles and a top cruising
speed of 370mph—comparable to jets of the same size, but with a cost saving of up to
40%. It’s also certified for altitudes of 35,000
ft, meaning you and your passengers can cruise high above the weather and peak-hour traffic. The Conquest uses 2 636HP Garrett TPE331 turboprop
engines, which help it to cruise at 300mph, climb at 2400ft/min, with a range of 2500
miles. Because this plane is no longer in production,
you can only buy a used model for less than a million dollars.
