RE: Short-haul turboprops
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-02-03 AT 09:29 AM (GMT)]1)What is the most economical short-haul turboprop aircraft for about 60 pax?
A lot has been said so far about seat costs per mile. While this does to a degree play a role in decision making turboprops generally fly such short sector lengths on average that maintenance and ease of operation can outweigh seat cost statistics. There also doesn’t seem to be much in the way of 60 seaters, you either downsize to around 50 or go up towards 70. Assuming the latter I think the Dash series is probably the market leader. My decision comes down to the nitty gritty such as the Dash carries its own APU whereas other types have to get a GPU plugged in or at best have to carry out the highly dangerous procedure of running an engine with a prop brake applied. The Dash also has a type commonality ranging from 30-70 seats. Ican’t think of any other offering such a wide range. It also has an exceedingly good cockpit (both the older type in the 100-300 series and the new 400 cockpit). I could list many more benefits of the Canadian design but this post would then be so long no one would read it!
2)What do you folks think about the Fokker 27?
Very good in its day (probably the very best) but its day was 30 years ago. Amongst the many problems with it in comparison to todays alternatives are –
1. Relative lack of performance. At high weights the engines require water methanol injection to gain enough power.
2. Very very very noisy Dart engine. The Dart engine has always suffered (in all the airframes it has been used in) from compressor squeal which has been responsible for many pilots and groundstaff suffering from long term hearing disorders.
3. Very complex design for its day utilising many pneumatic systems where equivalent aircraft were using more reliable hydraulics. Pilots converting to the F27 in the UK have to take an extra exam on pneumatics which is not required on an other type.
4. Single nosewheel is a big weakness in the event of tyre failure especially bearing in mind the aircraft is typically operated in demanding crosswind conditions.
5. Most are not equipped with autopilot and have very poor instrumentation and equipment levels.
6. etc,etc
3)What about the Beech 1900?
Typical 19 seater. Main alternative is the Jetstream 31. Any 19 seater will fly like a large light aircraft rather than a small airliner. The stats for it seem to imply it functions ok but it does seem to need an awful lot of aerodynamic tweaks to work.
4)What is the most popular short-haul TP aircraft?
The Dash series is by far the best current production turboprop for the reasons mentioned in question 1.
Just out of interest here is my order of desirability from a pilots perspective starting with my number 1 and ending with the worst. I think you’ll find most pilots lists would be more or less identical.
Saab 2000
Dash 8-400
Do 328
Saab 340
Dash 300
Dash 100/200
Fokker 50
Jetstream 41
ATR 42
ATR 72
Embraer Brasilia
Fokker 27
Shorts 360
ATP
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