Turbine Reliability vs. Piston

[BobDDuck]

pistons are pretty cool too, though.

...until one cracks and you only have one engine :/

And if you are flying with only one engine to begin with?

 

[falconvalley]

After seeing the opened cowling of a King Air in a maintenance facility showing off the insides of a PT6, I was actually quite shocked as to how small it was and how simple it was. It was amazing that such a small thing could produce so much power.

Isn't that amazing?? I was like "That's 1300 horsepower???"

 

[falconvalley]

When people make comments about the 1900, I usually have one of two different counter-comments:

1. Did you know that when jet engines were first used people asked "OMG, where's the prop on this thing???"

or

2. Small?? Looks about the size of a school bus to me. I drive a big blue school bus all day...

 

[meritflyer]

Isn't that amazing?? I was like "That's 1300 horsepower???"

Had a student ask me the other day about the PC-12's HP. He guessed it had 400. I said thats right and now multiply that times 3 and you're still not even there.

 

[ricecakecm]

Had a student ask me the other day about the PC-12's HP. He guessed it had 400. I said thats right and now multiply that times 3 and you're still not even there.

PC12 has a PT6-67B, which is 1600HP, but flat rated to 1200HP on takeoff for the PC12, and 1000 HP max continuous.

 

[Sprint100]

-It isn't -Small town, small plane.

:rotfl: :rotfl: This has to be the best explanation!!!!!!!!

 

[RRPower]

After seeing the opened cowling of a King Air in a maintenance facility showing off the insides of a PT6, I was actually quite shocked as to how small it was and how simple it was. It was amazing that such a small thing could produce so much power.

Whenever someone comes in a sees the cowlings off the King Air, I always tell them it looks like a wet cat.

 

[NickH]

Why isn't there more rotary-loving in the aviation world?

Sure the experi-mentalists go at it, but why no major manufacturers?

Few moving parts, reliable, and failures aren't catastrophic as with a recip..

 

[JHines]

Mainly the same problem as with automotive piston engines. Requires a PRSU which is very hard to make lightweight and reliable. I suppose someone could make a huge rotary with a low output/displacement ratio like current aircraft engines and run direct drive. I think the Moller Aircar folks are trying to use a rotary.

 

[aviatorrbt]

After seeing the opened cowling of a King Air in a maintenance facility showing off the insides of a PT6, I was actually quite shocked as to how small it was and how simple it was. It was amazing that such a small thing could produce so much power.

The PT6s look so huge compared to ANY piston! I would have never thought that they would be 'small.'