While turboprops may not be able to fly as far or as fast as most private jets, the right
turboprop can be a great fit for missions with shorter legs.
The efficiency of these turboprop engines coupled with the cost savings of single-pilot
operations means these aircraft can get the job done at a relatively low cost.
In no order let’s look at the 10 best turboprop airplanes.
10.
Piper Meridian.
The meridian is one of the most cost-effective small turboprop airplanes on the market today,
the Piper Meridian has come to exemplify the ultimate combination of American engineering
and elegance.
This airplane is good at both short-range and long-range flights, the Meridian uses
the highly reliable 600hp 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.
Both 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 has a spacious cabin, which can comfortably seat up to 5 passengers with all the luxuries
you’d expect from a Piper plane, such as premium leather, lush carpet, and genuine
woods.
Corporate executives enjoy the convenience of work tables in this airplane, also the
USB charging ports, and lighting control.
The price for a brand-new Piper Meridian is about $3m.
9.
Beechcraft King Air C90GTx Introduced in 1964, Beechcraft and the 'King
Air' 90 and 100 series aircraft are iconic in the business and utility category of aviation.
With a maximum flight range of 1500 miles, cruising at 250 mph, and an impressive sitting
capacity of up to 8, the C90GTx can carry your entire family from California to Texas
non-stop, or New York to Atlanta, or London to Madrid, even Paris to Moscow.
Since its introduction in 1964, the little king air has undergone 50 years of continuous
innovation and improvement, making it today’s best-selling business turboprop plane.
8.
Epic E1000.
The E1000 is the most recent turboprop airplane in the market today, and it is designed with
the most modern construction and design technologies, such as computer CAD and CAM.
And because of this, the E1000 came with so many advancements, such as a sleeker modern
design, composite fuselage construction, and glass cockpit, making it the most beautiful
single-engine turboprop 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, the useful load on this aircraft is 1,100 pounds with a range
of at least 1,650 nautical miles.
The price for a brand-new Epic E1000 is about $3.5m.
7.
Daher TBM 940.
The TBM is a multi-purpose powerhouse that can take you from point A to point B fast,
comfortably, and efficiently.
The design of the TBM family originates from the Mooney 301, a comparatively low-powered
and smaller prototype Mooney developed in the early 1980s.
Following Mooney's acquisition by French owners, Mooney and SOCATA started a joint venture
for the purpose of developing a new competitive turboprop airplane, which was designated as
the TBM 700.
Emphasis was placed upon the design's speed, altitude, and reliability.
The newest model, the TBM 940 brings together years of intelligent thinking into arguably
the best single-engine turboprop.
This airplane uses the Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine, which helps it to climb and cruise
faster than its predecessors without any increase in horsepower.
This airplane is built for versatility, it is perfect for a family or business executives.
This aircraft cruises at 380mph, climbs at 4000 ft/min, with a range of 2000 miles.
The price for this airplane is $4.3m brand-new.
6.
Pilatus PC12.
The PC12 is a versatile workhorse, a multi-purpose powerhouse, and a highly reliable airplane,
which can take you from gravel to grass or even more rudimentary runways.
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.
The interior is designed in conjunction with BMW, and 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 single-pilot 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.
Piaggio Avanti EVO.
Speed, comfort, and cost-effectiveness are the defining characteristics of the Avanti
EVO.
Piaggio Aerospace used the best in Italian design, in combination with superb craftsmanship
to create a highperformance aircraft that do not only turns heads for its sleek 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.
With an impressive range of 1759 nautical miles, The Avanti can fly nonstop from New
York to California, Los Angeles to Mexico City, Texas to Chicago, and
Toronto to the Bahamas.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about your ecological footprint, the EVO emits 40% less
CO2 emissions compared to other light aircraft.
The beauty of this airplane is striking, and it never goes unnoticed, its curved aerodynamic
design provides a sleek profile, while the spacious and light-filled cabin offers a 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.
4.
Beechcraft Super King Air 350i.
Space and comfort are the defining characteristics of the 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 family from London to
almost everywhere in Europe Nonstop.
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.
Pilots can take advantage of the latest NextGen-ready touch-screen avionics and multi-scan weather
tracking for simple in-flight aviation.
The best thing is that the Beechcraft team aims to please both passengers and pilots
alike.
Passengers can enjoy executive seating, fold-out tables, power outlets, and Wi-Fi connectivity
in the soundproofed cabin, which measures 17-feet-long.
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, buying this airplane brand new will cost you about $8m.
3.
Cessna 208 Caravan With over 30 years of proven capability in
turboprop aircraft, the Cessna 208 Caravan is an economical and dependable single-engine
suitable for a variety of missions.
Its powerful 675-horsepower turbine engine delivers a rare combination of high performance
and low operational cost.
As the name suggests, the Caravan is a people mover, with the capacity to transport 11 passengers
in comfort with easy “air-stair” boarding and ample luggage space of 342 lbs.
You can customize the seating arrangement of the cabin to match your mission and optimize
revenue on each flight, although the color scheme is limited.
No corner of the world is out of reach with the Cessna Caravan, landlocked or surrounded
by water.
With rugged and versatile landing gear, the Caravan can adapt for land, sea, or sky, making
it an obvious choice for aviators who need remote adaptability.
Fitted with the latest aviation technology, pilots can take advantage of Garmin’s next-generation
avionics, flight control system, and satellite data link, which offers voice and text capability
for remote locations.
This airplane uses the 675hp Pratt and Whitney PT6A engine, which helps it to cruise at 214mph,
climb at 1200ft/min, with a range of 1000 miles.
The 208 Caravan unit costs about US$2.3m and US$2.7m million for the 208B Grand Caravan
EX.
2.
Daher Kodiak, the Kodiak is the only single-engine turboprop that can match the versatility of
the PC12.
Just like the Pilatus, this airplane can take you from gravel to grass or even more undeveloped
runways.
As one of the few turboprop planes that easily transforms into a seaplane, or from passenger
to cargo, the Daher Kodiak is built to cover all kinds of crusades from construction sites
to mountain ridges and even the sea.
Its narrow wing-span and short take-off capability make the Kodiak a master of tight airspaces
and mini runways, while the robust gear means it can handle the toughest of terrain.
With 21st-century technology, the Kodiak offers situational awareness, integrated autopilot,
and navigation assistance safer flying in all weather conditions.
Kodiak is in a class of its own when it comes to customization.
With adjustable seating and three interior packages, you can create a cabin that truly
fits your lifestyle.
You can prioritize functionality and freight carrying capacity with lightweight, yet heavy-duty
interiors, or take your interior to the summit with club seating, cabinetry, and carpet that’s
fit for your family vacation or business meeting.
Using the 750hp Pratt and Whitney PT6 engine, the Kodiak Cruises at 211mph, climbs at 1300ft/min,
with a range of 1300 miles.
The price for this airplane is about $2.2m.
1.
Cessna Conquest II.
This airplane has been out of production since 1986, Released in 1977, the Conquest was Cessna’s
first turboprop-powered aircraft and, over the years, has matured into a coveted aircraft
for its cost efficiency and impressive speed.
Compact, lightweight, and powerful, the Cessna Conquest II boasts a maximum flight distance
of 1,700 nautical miles and a top cruising speed of 370mph—comparable to jets of the
same size, but with a cost saving of up to 40%.
It’s also certified for altitudes of 35,000 ft, meaning you and your passengers can cruise
high above the weather and peak-hour traffic.
The Conquest uses 2 636HP Garrett TPE331 turboprop engines, which help it to cruise at 300mph,
climb at 2400ft/min, with a range of 2500 miles.
Because this plane is no longer in production, you can only buy a used model for less than
a million dollars.