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 significantly recovered from a post-9/11 slump, with values returning to or exceeding 2001 peaks, primarily driven by their superior fuel efficiency, simplicity, and performance benefits over business jets amidst high fuel prices.
- The article categorizes turboprops by mission (personal, corporate, combined, and value) recommending top models like the TBM 700, King Air B200, and Pilatus PC-12 for their specific strengths, while noting "value" options like the Piper Cheyenne I or Aero Commander 690 carry risks due to past production halts and manufacturer support uncertainty.
- Owner-pilots highly value turboprops for their exceptional reliability, robust systems, and ability to tackle challenging flights and weather with confidence, offering a powerful and secure flying experience despite potentially high maintenance and fuel costs compared to piston aircraft.
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