Four to five years ago it looked like the turboprop was on its way out. Prices of used turboprops were in freefall, and the sales of the few turboprop twins still in production were slumping. Vref, a leading aircraft value reference, reported that an index of average selling prices forpopular used turboprops lost 25 percent of its value from 2001 to 2004.
Best Used Turboprops
Key Takeaways:
- The used turboprop market has experienced a significant recovery, with prices rebounding to pre-2001 levels or higher, largely driven by the overwhelming importance of fuel efficiency amid rising jet fuel costs.
- Turboprops offer key advantages over jets, including simplicity, excellent short-field performance, less regulation, and superior fuel economy.
- The article categorizes used turboprops into "Personal," "Corporate," "Combined," and "Value" missions, recommending specific models like the TBM 700, King Air B200, and Pilatus PC-12 for their respective strengths.
- "Value-conscious" turboprops, such as the Piper Cheyenne I and Aero Commander 690, provide substantial capability for a lower purchase price, though they may carry risks regarding future manufacturer support and resale potential.
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