What Are the Advantages of a Propeller Driven Airplane?
Airplanes are usually driven by one of two main types of propulsion: jet or propeller. Jet-driven airplanes usually run on jet-A fuel, or a variant thereof. However, propeller-driven aircraft can run on 100-octane avgas or jet-A, depending on whether the propeller is driven by a piston or a turbine engine. Propeller-driven aircraft have several advantages over driving your car and jet-driven aircraft as modes of transportation.
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Fuel Economy and Convenience
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For long trips, small, propeller-driven piston planes are often comparable to driving a car in terms of fuel efficiency. At the same time, they are often more convenient. A family of four can travel in a small aircraft on trips greater than 300 miles on about the same amount of fuel as a traditional SUV. For example, flying a Cessna 182 at 12 gallons per hour can get you 300 miles on about 21 gallons of fuel. Driving an SUV averaging 15 miles per gallon will get you the same distance on about 20 gallons of fuel. However, the Cessna will get you to your destination more than twice as fast, with an average cruising speed of 160 miles per hour. When factoring distance into the equation, remember that many small airplane trips can be done in a straight line, which is generally impossible in a car. Propeller-driven piston planes are also much easier on fuel than turbine propeller planes or jet-powered airplanes.
Noise
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Compared to a jet-driven plane, propeller-driven planes are much quieter. Piston propeller airplanes sound much more like automobile engines, and their sound blends in with city surroundings a lot more easily than do the roars of jet engines. The loudest noises emanating from small airports are usually from small, older jets rather than propeller airplanes.
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Cost
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Propeller-driven airplanes are much cheaper than jet-driven airplanes. As of 2011, it is difficult to find a passenger jet for under $1 million, whereas new propeller-driven airplanes such as the Cessna Skycatcher light sport airplane can be purchased new for a little over $112,000.
Simplicity
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Propeller-driven airplanes are much less complicated than jet-driven airplanes. Whereas most jet-driven airplanes use hydraulics for control surfaces, most propeller-driven airplanes instead use simpler cable linkages. A loss of electrical power would be very dangerous in most jets, whereas small propeller-driven airplanes don't rely much on electronics to keep them flying.
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References
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