Originally Posted by
El Bunto
You can't just compare paper figures though. The Emerald ATRs are operating in the range FL120 to 170, whereas the BEE Q400s are usually up around FL200 to 240 which is about the optimum for a turboprop.
In the simplest terms when comparing the two types, its easier to think of a V8 (the Dash) and a 1.2ltr 3 cylinder with a turbo (the ATR). The V8 is fast, the V8 can go higher etc etc but its always going to burn more fuel. The 1.2ltre 3 cylinder, whilst it doesn't have much umf... it can happily sit at 65mph on the motorway sipping fuel. The ATR can go up to FL250 just like the Dash, but runs out of puff usually. The ATR burns significantly less fuel even when the dash is at its optimum... I mean look at the engines...