Turboprops, explained
For anyone flying under about 600 miles, or into a small airport a jet cannot use.
This guide covers what a turboprop is for, and who it fits, the cabin, and what to expect, the types we source, corridor missions, in words, what a pilot checks before recommending one. Read it here or keep the downloadable planning edition.
Prepared by CP Jets · September 2026 planning edition
Download the PDFWhat a turboprop is for, and who it fits
A turboprop is the right aircraft for a short leg. Under about two hours in the air, it lands within minutes of a light jet, and it costs less to fly. The propellers are the reason. A turboprop engine burns less fuel at the speeds these trips are flown, and operators quote a shorter daily minimum on one.
The other reason is the runway. A PC-12 or a King Air can use a paved runway of about 3,500 feet. That opens county airports close to a lake house, a farm, a hunting lease or a golf course. On the right day, with the operator's approval, a PC-12 can use a grass strip.
It fits a couple, a family of four, or a group of six with bags. It fits the same day out and back, where the aircraft waits on the ramp while you work or play. It fits anyone who would rather land ten minutes from the door than drive an hour from a bigger airport.
The cabin, and what to expect
This is not a stand up cabin. On a PC-12 the cabin is about 4 ft 10 in high and about 5 ft wide. A King Air 350 is close to that, about 4 ft 9 in high and 4 ft 6 in wide. You move down the aisle bent over and settle into a wide seat. Six to nine seats, depending on the type and the layout.
The cabin is pressurized and quiet enough for a normal conversation, though you hear the propellers more than you would on a jet. Nearly every aircraft we source in this category has a small lavatory behind a curtain or a partition. Baggage rides in a compartment behind the seats. On the PC-12 you can reach it in flight, and its large cargo door takes golf bags, ski bags and coolers without a fight. Wifi is on a few newer aircraft and not on the rest. Ask, and we will tell you which before you book.
The types we source
The Pilatus PC-12 is the type we see first in this category. It is a single engine turboprop with a big cabin for its size, a large cargo door and short field performance a jet cannot match. The PC-12 has carried passengers under Part 135 for more than twenty years, and the operator behind one holds the FAA authorization for single engine passenger flights.
The King Air family is the twin. The King Air 350 seats eight to nine and covers the longer legs. The King Air 200 and 250 seat six to seven. The King Air 90 is the smaller one, a fit for four people on a short hop. If you would rather have two engines, say so, and we will quote the King Air.
These are aircraft available from our sourcing network. We act as your agent: we source the market, review the aircraft and negotiate on your behalf.
Corridor missions, in words
On our corridor a turboprop earns its place on the legs under about 500 miles. Nashville to Atlanta is about an hour. Nashville to Destin and 30A is about an hour and a quarter, and Nashville to Chicago about an hour and a half. Naples to Atlanta is about two hours. Past that, a light jet starts to win on time, and on Nashville to Naples the jet saves close to an hour each way.
Where a turboprop shines is the small field. A lake house, a farm in Georgia, a golf club with its own strip: a turboprop lands close and the car ride is short. On the site, the quote page and every route page show the current ranges for your dates.
What a pilot checks before recommending one
Three things, before a turboprop goes on your quote.
- The airframe and its records. We prefer aircraft built in 2005 or later. An older airframe needs a reason and a review of its records before we show it to you.
- Condition and equipment. We review the available inspection history, recent maintenance, avionics and interior updates of the proposed airplane. Its cabin layout and baggage capacity need to work for your group.
- The crew and the field. How long the crew has flown the type, and whether the runway, the weather and the weight of your group and bags work on the day. A small field is often the reason to pick a turboprop, and it is the first thing we check.
If a turboprop is not the right aircraft for the leg, we say so and show you the light jet instead.
Related
Keep a copy of this guide.
Get a thank you email from CP Jets with your PDF download link.
- What a turboprop is for, and who it fits
- The cabin, and what to expect
- The types we source
- Corridor missions, in words
- What a pilot checks before recommending one
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