Since the dawn of air travel, we have witnessed plenty of innovative changes every year that changes flying forever. With today’s jet aircraft, flying is more convenient and safer than ever. However, the debut of jet engines has not rendered propellers completely useless. Turboprop aircraft are still in use across Canada, and have retained their popularity over the years.
With Forbes reporting an 8% increase in charter activity for turboprop aircraft, let’s have a closer look at the age-old technology that marked the birth of aviation.
Why turboprop aircraft are superior
Jet engines brought about the modern age of air travel, making it as reliable as it is today. However, some pilots and private aircraft owners still prefer turboprops over jet engines, and with good reason. Here are some advantages propjets have over jet engines:
- Turboprops are more efficient, especially at low altitudes
turboprop aircraft are typically lighter than a jet engine, and provide better power output for their weight. This translates to lower fuel consumption where the air is denser (under 25,000ft). This makes them ideal for short-distance flights, saving large amounts of money spent on fuel.
- turboprop can take off and land on virtually any runaway.
Jet engine aircraft have a tough time landing on non-concrete runaways, which isn’t the case with turboprop engines. The ability to land on grass and dirt makes more airfields accessible to turboprop aircraft. The FOD tolerance of a turboprop comes from the inertial separator/engine anti-ice. Simply put, it forces all solid objects (including gravel and dirt) to be expelled before entering the engine.
- They deliver great take-off and initial climb performance
There are a couple of factors that contribute to this: the power output of the engine per unit weight is higher than that of a jet, and the use of a propeller provides more thrust at lower altitudes. To add to that, the lower engine weight means you don’t need much runway length to take off or land.
- They have a lower operational and maintenance cost
The aircraft itself is cheaper than a jet, reducing your upfront cost of buying/chartering a private aircraft. If you are concerned about the maintenance costs of a turboprop, you’re in luck! There are fewer moving parts within a turboprop engine, which means the aircraft is less likely to require frequent maintenance. Additionally, the lower fuel consumption will cut down operational costs.
Limitations of turboprop aircraft
While the lower cost and runway accessibility may sound tempting enough, the jet engine still holds superior in certain areas. For example, aircraft with propellers have a much lower service ceiling than jet engine aircraft. Another disadvantage turboprop aircraft suffer from is the lower flight range and cruising speed, which would force you to land more frequently for refuelling.
When should you choose a turboprop aircraft over a jet engine
With an average maximum flight range of about 1500 miles, turboprop engines are not suitable for long-distance flights, especially if you are planning to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. A jet would give you a better flight range and better service altitude, helping you steer well clear of unfavourable weather conditions. However, if you are flying from Halifax to Hamilton, or just about anywhere across Canada, you are much better off with a turboprop aircraft. While saving you big on flying costs, you would have a whole lot of places to put your aircraft down.
Onward Aviation in Hamilton
The upper echelon of private aviation is marked by convenience, but is only a truly viable medium with the ready availability of service on the ground. While there is no shortage of airports if you are trying to land in Hamilton, you’d wish your crew and aircraft to be in good hands before your next take-off. And that is precisely where we come in.
Onward Aviation is located at the hub of Canada’s economic activity, saving you the trouble of driving several hours. We cater only the best services to your crew and aircraft. While your crew makes itself perfectly at home within our comfy provisions, our refined team of experts will carefully run your aircraft through a checklist. If your trip across Canada happens to have a stop at Hamilton, Onward Aviation is your finest fixed-based operator to entrust your crew and aircraft to.
