Jets, Turboprops, and Pistons

NAV Canada Aviation Basics Course

Piston efficient altitude

Ground to 12,000 ft

Piston max speed

250 KT

Piston most likely speed

100 KT

Piston rate of climb

500 to 1500 FPM

Piston rate of descent

500 to 1500 FPM

Piston rate of turn

Rate One: 3º/sec

Piston acceleration delay

No delay

Piston run up time

Long run up time

Piston disadvantages

• Many complex parts

• Engine has a high weight ratio compared to the rest of the AC

Horizontally opposed piston advantages

• Reduced drag

• Better visibility

• Ease of maintenance

• Lightweight

Horizontally opposed piston disadvantages

• Cooling problems

• Increased drag from air scoops

Radial piston advantages

• Compact

• Accessible for maintenance

• Lightweight

• Supplies good power for its size and weight

Radial piston disadvantages

• Interference to forward visibility

• Imposes considerable drag

Jet speed

300 to 500 KT

Jet efficient altitude

25,000 to 36,000 ft

Jet rate of descent

2000 to 6000 FPM

Jet max rate of climb

1500 to 6000 FPM

Turboprop speed

200 to 300 KT

Turboprop altitude

13,000 to 25,000 ft

Turboprop rate of climb

1500 to 3,000 FPM

Jet most likely rate of climb

1500 to 3,000 FPM

Turboprop rate of descent

1500 to 4,000 FPM

Turboprop turning radius

Rate One: 3º/sec

Jet turning radius

Rate 0.5: 1.5º/sec

Turboprop run up time

Short run up time

Jet run up time

No run up time