You and some friends have decided to charter an aircraft for an upcoming fishing trip. You assume you’ll be flying on a jet, but then your ELEVATE travel expert suggests a turboprop. Some people aren’t as familiar with turboprops and are unsure about flying on them.
The fact is, turboprops have stood the test of time and get high-flying marks for performance, safety and cost efficiency.
Turboprop engines are known to be reliable and generally require less maintenance than a jet engine. They use less fuel and their efficiency translates into lower per-hour charter costs. Single-engine turboprops have also come a long way in terms of passenger comfort. Today’s models include jet-like interiors complete with leather club seating, cabin entertainment systems, and other preferred amenities.
Capacity ranges from five to 13 or more passengers, depending on the model. Speeds also vary. Turboprops are generally slower than jets, although some single-engine models rival the speed of small jets. Slower speeds bring some additional advantages, too, such as the ability to land on shorter runways and unpaved strips in remote locations.
Here, we provide an introduction to turboprop aircraft and five reasons why they shouldn’t be overlooked for your next charter flight.
Single-Engine Turboprops
This category includes aircraft such as the popular Pilatus PC-12 family, the dependable Cessna Grand Caravan EX, the very fast TBM 910 and the new Beechcraft Denali expected to hit the market in 2025. These aircraft have some of the lowest hourly charter rates in the industry.