- 03 Oct 2022
- Jason Zilberbrand
- BizAv Market Insight
A wide range of turboprops are used in Business Aviation, including single- and twin-engine models, utility aircraft (suited for business, medivac, and cargo travel) and those built specifically for private passenger use. Unsurprisingly range capabilities vary significantly from 750nm up to 1,650nm while passenger capacity is typically between five and eight in executive configuration. Turboprops are ideal for owners and operators flying shorter trips and needing to access more remote airports with unpaved runways.
Buyers shopping for a new business turboprop aircraft can expect to pay between $2.205m for a small single-engine model up to around $8.81m for a large twin-engine turboprop, per Aircraft Bluebook’s Fall 2022 data. Popular models available today are built by Beechcraft, Cessna, Daher, Piaggio, Pilatus and Piper. Those shopping the pre-owned market will find cheaper options from the same manufacturers, and price will depend on age, condition and maintenance status, among other things.
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There are 15,774 business turboprops in operation worldwide (JETNET, September 2022).
Nearly 51% of the world’s business turboprops are based in the United States.
Beechcraft’s King Air twin-engine turboprop series is the most commonly flown model. King Airs have been in continuous production since the 1960s, and 7,793 had been produced, according to JETNET data in September 2022.
Private turboprops access around 10 times more airports in the US than scheduled airlines (around 5000 airports versus 500 airports) giving them access to remote communities without airline service and with short and unpaved runways.
Turboprops have a safety record comparable to business jets and scheduled airlines.
TurboProps Overview
By Matt Harris, Editor - AvBuyer Magazine
Quick Facts About Turboprops
What are the Advantages of Turboprop Aircraft?
There are various reasons that make turboprops popular with their owners. These include:
Luxury: A common myth is that turboprop cabins are less luxurious than jet cabins. Whereas Light Jets offer relatively compact cabins, turboprops often offer more space (relative to their size) which enables plenty of comfort for passengers travelling the shorter journeys turboprops are built to fly. Noise levels and cabin altitude in the modern turboprop is also designed to minimize passenger fatigue when they’re flying.
Utility: Turboprop aircraft are also very versatile. They can be used for multiple purposes, and some turboprop interiors can be configured for comfortable passenger travel, then be quickly reconfigured for cargo transportation (or a combination of both). Turboprops can also be equipped with floats to enable water landings and take-offs, or with cargo pods to provide additional luggage or cargo space.
Flexibility: Able to land on shorter, and unpaved runways (including dirt and grass strips), turboprops can access more airports than jets, providing more options to owners seeking to get closer to their travel destination.
Privacy: Owning a turboprop ensures you travel only with the passengers and pilots you know and trust. Built with relatively spacious cabins, turboprop planes provide an ideal environment in which to work alongside colleagues, or sit back and relax with family and friends.
Security: Traveling only with known colleagues, friends and family, turboprop users enjoy a higher level of security. In fact, while Business Aviation operators must meet the same standard of security as the scheduled airlines, this is achieved without the associated queues and crowds of a commercial airport.
Watch & Read More:
Watch Rene Banglesdorf's Insider Guide Pilot Interviews and Turboprop Comparisons about the world's leading turboprop aircraft:
Read the latest Turboprop Comparisons articles by Mike Chase.
Read the latest Turboprop Price and Buyers' Guides
View all AvBuyer's Turboprops Articles.
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