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Thread: GA and turbines
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Old 15th October 2002 | 11:11
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Trash Hauler
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 186
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From: Oz
Overhaul costs are part of the reason turbines are not too popular on GA aircraft.

To overhaul a 6 cylinder piston engine costs in the region of A$35,000. To overhaul a simple turbine starts at greater than A$100,000.

The other reason is fuel consumption. At low alttudes a turbine consumes a lot more fuel per horse power generated than a piston.

Maintenance licensing is also more difficult as all turbines have a type rating requiring specific courses where as a pistons up to a certain power (from memory 500 Kw) are under a group license and don't require specific courses.

Cheers

Trash Hauler
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