Many pilots enjoy talking about fuel economy because it is among the factors in aviation over which we have some degree of control. Carefully adjusting power settings and other elements of our flight profiles can cut fuel expenses significantly.
It also pays to consider fuel consumption when buying an aircraft. Like cars, some airplanes seem to sip fuel while others guzzle. More so than with cars, though, finding an airplane with a minimal appetite for fuel often comes with compromises that affect your mission or even scuttle it altogether.
Using information from operating handbooks, manufacturers’ data, pilot reports and industry analysts, including Conklin & de Decker and others, we compiled the following list of turboprop twins and their fuel economy in nautical miles per gallon.
Piaggio P.180 Avanti: 3.3 nmpg
This unusual twin-pusher design from Italy is renowned for outpacing many jets while cutting costs. It also makes a unique sound passing overhead.
Piper Cheyenne II: 3.2 nmpgÂ
In the oldie-but-goodie category, Piper’s turboprop rework of its long-running Navajo still has a following, in part, because it represents a relatively inexpensive route to turboprop speeds.
Beechcraft King Air B200: 2.7 nmpg
Among the many King Air models, this is about the most economical to operate, burning just over 100 gallons of fuel per hour.
