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We will analyze in this new installment if flying in propeller planes is it safe or not, taking into account the Fear to fly, we will solve this question.
Many times I have seen comments or readers have asked me if flying in an airplane that works with propeller engines is safe or not., a very understandable question given that users do not know in detail how these engines work.
I will not go into technical details of the operation of the engines, rather I will expand what I already advanced in the special Fear of Flying Part 1 from this blog, where we briefly talk about the safety of propeller driven aircraft operation.
Currently, There are several types of aircraft and these, powered by different types of engines, all extensively tested and certified by the different world aeronautical authorities, thus assuring, its efficiency, performance and above all, security.
The most modern aircraft that are powered by propellers, they really have turboprop engines, which are gasoline jet engines that move a propeller, where about the 90% of the thrust is produced by the propellers and the 10% remaining by exhaust gases. Having said that, modern propeller engines have equivalent technology to jet aircraft engines and therefore, security.
Independent of the type of propeller motor, every aircraft in itself is safe and as we have reviewed on several occasions in this blog, the important thing about any plane is the responsibility with which the machine is operated, where you must follow the strict maintenance and operation measures indicated by both the manufacturer, as by the regulatory authority. We have already seen cases of accidents with new planes from the factory, age is not a factor and less, your engine type.
Another point that we must comment on is that not because they are aircraft with propellers, these are old, old or are light aircraft, rather, many major airlines worldwide use this type of aircraft for low-demand or short routes, since these generate lower operating costs and having a safe operation, guarantee customer satisfaction.
Propeller planes in Ecuador
In the specific case of our country, we have an important operation of aircraft with propellers, both from the Armed forces, air taxi, fumigators, pilot schools, load and also, commercial airlines.
Regarding the operation of commercial passenger transport, Ecuador has a fleet of 5 turboprop aircraft, where 3 planes are ATR42-500 de Tame EP and 2 planes Dash 8-200 of Airplanes, which operate daily in the country transporting hundreds of passengers in a totally safe way
Security
With everything exposed, I invite you to the next time you see a plane with propellers or you happen to fly in one, do not think that it is an unsafe or old plane, quite the opposite, they have all the technology and fully comply with current regulations to take you to your destination.
We can't deny a theme, being smaller aircraft, the influence of turbulence is older and yes, on the plane you will feel that it moves more, but this does not remove the total security that exists in the operations of this type of aircraft.
Have you ever flown in a propeller plane?? Tell me your experience in the comments.
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I have flown a few times on Azul ATR planes on short stretches in Brazil and found the experience very pleasant. A big hug to everyone.
Thank you Carlos for your comment..
Hello there! I have aerophobia. I must choose between traveling in a dash 8 400 the un embraer from NYC to Montreal. There is a lot of difference between how I will feel the turbulence in one or the other?
Thanks
Hello Vero, in both cases you will feel turbulence, it could feel a little more in the Dash than in the Embraer, but the difference is not significant, both are very safe.
Hi Nicolas, gran post.. I believe that the stigma with propeller planes is due to the fact that the vast majority of minor or non-commercial civil aviation has propeller-driven aircraft… this segment handles other types of security standards….
Thanks for your comment Patrick., people should change their opinion that helix is insecure or old.
Excellent article!, I remember in my adolescence the Lockeed Electra 188 de Tame, tetra turbo propellers.
Thank you Patrick for your comment and contribution..
I traveled the 19/01/2020 on the TAME propeller plane from Gye to Quito.. 10 minutes before arriving in Quito the plane began to wobble, there were times when it felt like the plane was plummeting, some people yelled, A lady who was walking next to me started crying and begged me to hold her hand.. The Truth that never in my life had scared me so much..
Now I have to go back today 24/01/2020 on the same plane for Gye, I am very afraid, But with faith in God I will.. but I am sure of one thing Never in my life will I get on those small propeller planes again. Thank you very much for your attention.
Hi Javier, what you felt, it is normal flying to Quito, do not worry, that independent of the plane, the turbulence will always be felt and that it is a propeller does not make it more or less safe. Greetings
I traveled to Manta and everything was normal, it was not as noisy as they comment and the trip was calm without much turbulence (good back if when you get to Tababela).
Obviously the trip takes a little longer but on the security side I don't see any inconvenience.
greetings namesake
Thank you for your comment dude.
The truth is that if I have traveled 10 times in tame ATR-42 planes on the Quito-Santa Rosa route or vice versa, a little longer the trip compared to an Embraer 190, or a Boeing 737-500 of Aeroregional , For the rest, I think it's totally safe..
Thank you for your input Carlos..
Thank you Nicholas for your prompt response.. one more question those planes are old models.. give it enough maintenance? There are plans B or C in case of an emergency.. they are not good at flying in bad weather? One understands that modernity is synonymous with new technology, that's why it really scares me a bit.
not old at all, these planes have the latest Airbus family technology.
Hello there! The truth is that I have to fly in an ATR-72 with a duration of 1h 15m. And the truth is that it scares me a lot since I additionally suffer from aerophobia. This model is safe?
Of course, every plane is safe. The difference is in the responsibility with which it is operated.
The important thing is that you are going to travel faster than the truck and cheaper than the plane used by Aeroméxico.
It is quite safe and modern, so much so, that are still being manufactured and still have orders from different airlines in many countries. Personally, the flights that I have enjoyed the most are precisely in the turboprops, even more than international flights with larger planes
Several times on flights to Manta in the ATR VERY SAFE AND excellent travel time
Dornier 328 and the flight was normal, some bumps but light nonetheless the weather was great
Thank you for your contribution!
I like it and I flew in ATR 42 I like his high wings.
VIP trip from Quito to Portoviejo a comfortable and entertaining trip , I did not like the last trip from Guayaquil to Loja after that experience I suspended the trips , landing in Catamayo with turbulence in those small Tame planes is something of a panic , never more.
Nothing to worry about, It is normal in smaller planes.
Kind regards, it would also be good to refer to the helicopters that use reciprocal rotors and engines in Ecuador there are many hours and experience in this regard
Thank you Oswaldo, Interesting theme.
Is that the biggest disadvantage of propeller planes, is that they can't fly over bad weather.
If you can, with due precautions,like any plane.
greetings Nicholas,
I have had the opportunity to fly in two types of propeller aircraft, in the ATR 42 to Loja and Salinas and a couple of times to El Coca with the memorable VIP Dornier. All these flights with origin-destination Quito.
Having some knowledge of turbojet engines I did not have the feeling of fear, perhaps the difference is the greater insistence of the turbulence, the characteristic sound of propellers against the wind, the lower altitude and prolonged flight time.
Thanks, David, just as you say, propellers are just more noise and longer flight time.