When booking your private aviation charter, a common question you may be asked is if you have a preference on aircraft. While many people think flying private instantaneously means a choice of options ranging from a very light jet to a heavy jet, it’s important to be aware of other the other major players in the private jet charter market. Both turboprops and piston aircraft act as fantastic alternatives to the traditional jet and are often the more economical choice.
Turboprops, known for their reliability and power, are a type of aircraft that uses a gas jet engine that operates a propeller. These planes have an average non-stop range of 1,000 miles. Pistons are typically smaller, seating up to six, and are powered by piston engines and steam pressure. There are both single piston aircrafts and multi-piston aircrafts, both well suited for nonstop trips of 300 miles or less. Single-Piston Aircraft are great for short-range flights with a few passengers or light load of cargo. They are typically the most price friendly option when booking. Why not reserve a flight today and travel in style for that business meeting in Miami?
Popular Single and Multi-Piston Aircrafts
Popular single-piston aircrafts include the following: Beech Bonanza (pictured to the left), Cessna 206, Cessna Skylane 210 and Piper Cherokee Six, while the Cirrus SR-22 Multi-Piston Aircraft have multiple engines which are another great option for small groups on short-range flights. The multiple engine aspect gives these aircrafts a safer and more reliable rating, especially in inclement weather situations. Piston powered aircrafts typically fly in altitudes of 12,000 feet or less.
Popular Turboprop Aircrafts
Popular options include: Beech Baron, Piper Navajo (above), and the Cessna 402 Turboprop Aircraft offer the same low-cost advantages of the piston aircraft while sharing some of the cabin comfort and performance of light jets. They are powered by turbine propeller engines with average cruising speeds of over 300 mph. Turbrprops operate most efficiently between the altitudes of 20,000-30,000 feet. A fantastic choice for short to mid-range flights with an average passenger capacity of up to 8 guests.
Representative Aircrafts include: King Air 90, 100, 200, 300, Cheyenne I, II, III, IV, Merlin, Beech Starship, Pilatus PC-12 (shown to the left), and the Commander The greatest advantage to all of these options is their flexibility when it comes to landing space. Both Piston aircrafts and turboprops can easily land on shorter airstrips in comparison to long traditional runways. Some can even land in grass airfields. This allows customers the opportunity to arrive closer to their final destination and ultimately save on time and money.
Turboprops and Pistons alike, are less expensive to operate than jets, making them a ideal choice when booking shorter trips. While a bit smaller in size than traditional jets, many options are outfitted to include comparable cabin comfort for both business travel and relaxation during flight. New technology also mitigates background noise during flight.
When choosing your aircraft, let our experts help you decide. At FlyUSA, we want to find you the best possible deal. Our private aviation advisors are on call 24/7 and happy to review the specifications of your plane or jet to find what best suits your needs.
