WHY TURBO PROP ARE BETTER THAN LIGHT JETS
So, I went out and to talk with some non-aviation specialists about the difference between turboprops
and jets, they said that turboprops are basically jets with propellers, although this is true,
but when I gave them a chance to elaborate, some kind of notions were shared, such as
noise and bumpy flights are said to be associated with turboprops. Most people believe that turboprops are generally
less comfortable than light jets, but this is far from the truth. Modern-day turboprops are just as comfortable
as light jets, most seating around 6-8 passengers, exactly like a light jet. So how are turboprops better than jets? Let’s find out. Welcome to this episode of Dwayne’s Aviation,
a Wiseman once said, smash the like button, and subscribe to our channel. One of the major advantages of turboprops
is that they have excellent short-field take-off and landing capabilities. Most turboprop aircraft have much shorter
takeoff and landing distances than light jets, which means they have access to smaller, regional
airports with shorter runways. The average light or mid-sized jet requires
about 5,000 feet of runway to safely take off and land, while some turboprops can safely
take off and land with as little as 2500 feet of runway length. This grants turboprops access to some of the
country’s hardest-to-reach airports. While in flight, there is a popular belief
that turboprops are less comfortable and noisier than light jets, which isn’t true at all. Modern-day turboprops are as comfortable as
some of the best light jets. When it comes to getting you from Point A
to Point B, this is one area where light jets usually beat turboprops; however, there isn’t
a drastic difference between the two. For instance, the traveling time from New
York to Florida in a turboprop would be 4 hours, whereas it would be about 3 hours in
a light jet, but also consider that roughly 80% of private flights in the US are less
than two hours, this makes the use of a jet illogical. If you aren’t too much concerned about time,
a turboprop may stand a better option, be it chartering or buying. Also, remember that some of the modern turboprops
can fly faster than some of the light jets. For example, the Piaggio Avanti Evo, can fly
at more than 400 knots, faster than most light jets, faster than Cessna Citation Mustang
and Phenom 100, and still cost less to operate, turboprop aircraft was specifically designed
to be the most efficient at low altitudes and slower speeds under 500 mph. When turboprops are flown at the correct altitude
and airspeed, they are extremely efficient and burn less fuel than most light jets, which
in turn lowers the hourly rate of the aircraft. If you fly an Avanti instead of a Citation
CJ3, for instance, you may save approximately $195 per hour in fuel costs. It is, however, essential to note that a number
of factors, such as air mass and the velocity of gases, affect the efficiency of an aircraft. In general, turboprops are more fuel-efficient
at lower altitudes, whereas light jets are more efficient at higher altitudes. When it comes to safety: turboprops are safer
than light jets, due to their increased ‘balanced field’ capability. A balanced field implies how quickly, safely,
and easily you can stop a plane – if anything goes wrong – after it has reached its takeoff
speed. As turboprops have large propellers, they
provide extra drag to help the plane stop when required, besides they use much shorter
take-off and landing length, giving you more room to stop the plane or rotate to avoid
a potential hazard when needed. With a side by side comparison of Cirrus Vision
jet, the most popular single-engine jet, and Daher TBM 940, one of the most popular single-engine
turboprops, the reason I chose the two aircraft is because they are similar in size, performance
and of course, they’re both single-engined. The Vison jet can hold up to seven occupants
at once, while the TBM can only hold 6. With a cruise speed of 290 mph, the TBM is
better than the Vision jet, which cruises at 280 mph. In terms of range, the TBM can go 2000 miles,
enough to go Los Angeles to Chicago nonstop, or halfway across the United States without
setting foot on the ground. The vison jet can only go 1000 miles, this
is 1000 miles less than the distance the TBM can travel nonstop. But you can go for the G2 model of the vision
jet, which flies 400 miles more nonstop. Both aircraft have a useful load of 1400lbs
and cruises at 31000 ft. In a normal cruise, the TBM burns 55 gallons
of fuel per hour in economy cruise, since JET fuel typically costs $4 per gallon, the
hourly fuel cost on the TBM is about $200 per hour. Maintenance is estimated to cost $300.00 per
hour. Combining the two gives us $500 per hour in
direct operating costs. If you fly frequently and accumulate up to
400 hours annually, the TBM will cost you about $200,000 annually. With 4.5 million dollars, you can get this
airplane brand-new. In comparison with the Vision Jet, which burns
about 80 gallons per hour in cruise, with jet fuel typically costing about 4 dollars
per gallon, hourly fuel cost on the Vision jet is about $320 per hour, maintenance is
estimated at $350 per hour, total direct operating cost on the Vision jet is about $670 per hour,
If you 400 hours yearly, annual costs on the Vision Jet will be $260,000, that’s $60,000
more than what the TBM will cost you. Where the vision jet wins is at purchase cost,
the price for a brand-new Cirrus Vision Jet SF-50 is $2.7 million. Almost half the price of the TBM 940. Even though turboprops are usually cheaper
to operate and maintain, the decision to buy a turboprop, or any private jet, comes down
to your flying needs and preferences. If you need to fly long distances, a light
jet is the way the go. To cover shorter distances, a turboprop would
be the best bet. So, what are the best Turboprops you should
buy instead of a jet? 1. Piper Meridian: Easily one of the best small
turboprop planes on the market today, the Piper Meridian has come to exemplify the ultimate
combination of American engineering and elegance. Manufactured by Florida’s very own Piper
Aircraft in Vero Beach, the Meridian combines over 40 years of experience with state-of-the-art
U.S. technology and safety features to deliver a flight experience that sets a new standard
for both passengers and pilots. A master of both short-range and long-range
missions, the Meridian brings together the highly trusted 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. 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’s spacious cabin comfortably seats up
to 5 passengers with all the luxuries you’d expect from a Piper plane; premium leather,
lush carpet, and genuine woods. Corporate executives will rejoice in the convenience
of work tables, USB charging ports, and lighting control. The price for a brand-new Piper Meridian is
about $3m. 2. Piaggio Avanti EVO: There When Italy’s leading
aerospace manufacturing company released the Piaggio Avanti EVO, they delivered on three
key business demands: speed, comfort, and cost-effectiveness. Piaggio Aerospace blended the very best in
Italian design with superb craftsmanship to create a high-performance aircraft that not
only turns heads for its dashing 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. It’s also one of the few turboprop planes
that can fly nonstop from New York to California, with an impressive range of 2,759 nautical
miles. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your
ecological footprint, the EVO emits 40% less CO2 emissions compared to other light aircraft. Before you even board the Avanti EVO, you
can appreciate the aircraft’s striking beauty. Its curved aerodynamic design provides a sleek
profile, while the spacious and light-filled cabin offers 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. 3. 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
office from Los Angeles to Chicago non-stop. 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. True to its name, the Super King Air rules
the skies with twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine power engines and high-performance
propellers. Pilots can take advantage of the latest NextGen-ready
touch-screen avionics and MultiScan weather tracking for simple in-flight aviation. However, the Beechcraft team aims to please
those who want to fly, just as much as those who want to be flown. Passengers can enjoy executive seating, fold-out
tables, power outlets, and Wi-Fi connectivity in the soundproofed cabin, which measures
17-feet-long. Yep, it’s a cabin fit for a king. 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, to buy this airplane brand new
will cost you about $8m. 4. Pilatus PC-12 NGX
Are you looking for a multi-purpose powerhouse that can take you from gravel to grass or
even more rudimentary runways? Don’t look past the PC12. The newest model, the PC-12 NGX brings years
of intelligent thinking into arguably the best single-engine turboprop. Fitted with the Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine,
the NGX climbs and cruises faster than its predecessors without any increase in horsepower. This airplane is built for versatility. 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. Designed in conjunction with BMW, 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 singlepilot
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. Epic 1000, Introduced in 2015, Over the last
two decades, there has been a shortage of new entrants into the turboprop market. The E1000 came with so many advancements,
with a sleeker modern design, this is certainly the most beautiful single-engine turbo prop
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, useful on this
aircraft is 1,100 pounds with a range of at least 1,650 nautical miles, according to the
company. The price for a brand new Epic E1000 will
cost you $3.5m. You can support us on Patreon using the link
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