|
No offense taken RH77. The 50 seaters are not very comfortable in the back. I'm 6'5" and can't see out the windows. They are comfortable on the flight deck though. The newer 70 and 90 seaters are much better aircraft.
As far as gearboxes on turboprops go, I used to fly MetroLiners (Texas Lawn Darts). They have the Garrett direct drive turbines with a gear reduction box that reduces the turbine core speed from approximately 35,000 rpm's down to 1000rpm at the prop. These engines were rated for 1000 hp or 1100 hp for takeoff with water/methanol injection. In cruise we planned for a fuel burn of 10 lbs per min or 600 lbs per hr. A prop driven airplane is much more efficient at lower altitudes (below 30,000 ft). You just have to keep the prop tip speeds subsonic. The Garretts are one of the most fuel efficient turbines out there. The engine and gearbox probably weigh less than 200 lbs. Thats a pretty good power to weight ratio.
|