BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 May 2025, 21:34

Username Protected wrote:

Jetprop is a fantastic machine for sure. Gross weight is definitely an issue. Most people will tell you that they fly the Jetprop up to about 100 pounds over gross but you had better be careful in doing so if you’re going to encounter turbulence. There’s certainly been quite a few of these aircraft that have penetrated Thunderstorms or other turbulent air and have regretted it. With that said, obviously know the limitations of your Aircraft. You cannot beat the operating cost, and the overall cost per mile in this particular turban.

You write like AI.

Chip-

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 May 2025, 20:34

Username Protected wrote:

I looked at lots of SETP options and landed on a JetProp.
For me it was the best choice hands down. It is the most efficient and cost effective per mile turboprop available... There are over 320 of them flying around today - there is a reason it is arguably the most successful STC conversion out there.

With any airplane I strongly suggest you talk to real owners with real experience or folks that fly/train in them everyday.

For reference I burn ~16 gph at idle / taxi

~45 gph in climb (1500 - 2000 fpm into the low 20's. 1000 fpm thereafter) Climb fuel burn does go down as you get higher and become temp limited.

~33 gph in cruise. 257 TAS is my average depending on temp and weight will move the +/- 4 kts

What does annual maintenance look like on the jet prop? Curious how that compares to say, an Mu-2 or Cheyenne flying roughly 100 hours per year.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 01 Jun 2025, 08:57

In my 5 years of owning the plane my annual (it only has had to visit a mechanic at annual) avg. has been ~$20K.

Not included in that cost would have been an FOD incident (insurance covered), battery and door cable. Battery was the most expensive (but all batteries are). Door cable was a fun 2 hour project that we upgraded to the thicker cable. That part cost was under $100, but of course does not include labor time.

I have had ‘bigger’ items like a starter / gen overhaul.
I think a decent way to view it will be a ‘normal’ annual will be ~$15K with somewhere between 0-2 bigger items that will cost between $5-$10K.

Also note that all my maintenance has been performed by the top PA46 shop in the county, so these are real #s done by premier mechanic.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Jun 2025, 17:08

Username Protected wrote:

What does annual maintenance look like on the jet prop? Curious how that compares to say, an Mu-2 or Cheyenne flying roughly 100 hours per year.

Consensus on MMOPA was ~BY FAR~ the cheapest available. Reasons

1) no "turbine" maintenance requirements either from FAA or MFR. Regs are the same as a Cherokee.
2) plane is piston systems that got a heart transplant that reduced vibration by an order of magnitude. People who did the transplant said mainenance dropped notably afterwards

As for the gross weight - there are some with double digit UL's, but not some (especially earlier/lighter models) have several hundred lbs. You can also depart with less than full fuel. It's an open secret that people routinely fly them FAR over gross. Wise? no. Legal? no. Buncha dead bodies and revoked certificates? Also no.

jetprop? pro's and con's