Quote:
Originally Posted by JRMichler
The Piper M350 and M500 are the same airplane on the outside.
The M350 has a 350 hp turbocharged six cylinder gasoline engine. It holds 120 gallons of fuel, has a maximum cruise speed of 245 MPH, and a maximum range of 1544 miles.
The M500 has a 500 hp PT6 turbine engine. It holds 170 gallons of fuel, has a maximum cruise speed of 299 MPH, and a maximum range of 1150 miles.
Those high efficiency gas turbine power plants have huge heat recovery systems that could not possibly fit into an airplane.
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So a 500 hp engine uses more fuel then a 350hp engine. I don't think people 20 years ago thought you would be holding a battery powered supercomputer in you hand either, and it makes sense Orville and Wilbur's design might be more refined then Adolf's, especially when the technology is used widespread from lawn movers to supertankers. I still say give turbines a little more chance before writing them off.