PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why the dearth of faster piston-powered planes?
Old 10th Aug 2016, 16:09
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Geosync
 
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From an insurance perspective, a new HP piston is a scary thing, hence high premiums, if the standard insurance companies would even write it at all. As mentioned, the complexity of a recip engine, turbocharged, high compressions, etc. is not something insurance companies get excited about.

They're thinking- "owner flown, just stepped up from a C-172, ie: non professional pilot, 4-6 seats filled with friend who are moderately high net worth individuals, something happens, maybe mechanical, maybe the pilot/owner gets behind the aircraft, plows it into a field in IMC. The estates of the dead WILL sue, and now the insurance company is paying out millions upon millions, and possibly the OEM who always get sucked into lawsuits too. The Bonanza was called the "Doctor Killer" because of this, and frankly it still is. I've been at those crash scenes in the last couple of years, and now the SR22 is supplanting the Bo at this. Imagine a piston with more power and more speed. Dr. Fantastic or Business Man Amazing gets one right after training in a Cessna to blast around with his friends.

Well, this is the way it goes in litigation happy America anyway. So big powerful pistons are a no no, and commercial operators use turboprops. PC-12 will win out over a twin piston every time. PC-12 is certified, supported, good track record, one engine. No need for a twin piston.
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