Propeller vs Jet engine?

Question

Why do small aircraft use propellers instead of jet engines?

and what benifits does this present to the aircraft using propellers?

Answer 1

even small jet engines have high fuel consumption rates, especially compared to piston engines. for example the maverick twin jet kit uses two small jet engines, can barely make 350mph, and has a range of 1000 miles only because it is packed with fuel. that fuel cuts into its load capacity. a cessna 310 can make 250mph and while it doesnt have the range the maverick jet does, it has a much greater load capacity, and is far more economical to run.

Answer 2

jet engines allow an aircraft to efficiently work at high altitudes with a thin atmosphere. Due to the compressor in the jet engine it can still collect air for combustion. A propeller requires air to put newtons third law into effect and at altitude there is not enough air to create thrust. Also light aircraft do not need to do mach 0.85.

Answer 3

General aviation tends to favor piston engined propeller driven aircraft because of cost. (purchase and maintenance) Most people who fly just for enjoyment are not in a position to plunk down a large bunch of money for a jet.

Answer 4

Most small planes use propellers instead of jet propulsion because of a few reasons.

One would be maintenance of the engine. Most prop planes use engines similar in design to automobile engines. A jet engine requires extensive training to service.

Another reason could include cost of the engine. Jet engines are expensive. Most small planes don't require the power and speed of the jet engine. The cost of the engine could be the same as the actual airframe. Fuel for jet engines is also much higher. Some prop planes can be run on pump gasoline, or part pump gas with another part high octane plane engine fuel.

And I don't think that pollution is that much of an issue. There will be exhaust and emissions from either power-plant.

Answer 5

It is more a question of cost effectiveness...  Jet engines are more expensive in cost to buy, cost to design and airplane around the power of a jet engine, and cost to maintain.  small airplanes are typically too light to handle a jet engine.  There are small planes with Jet engines, but the airframe is stronger and specially designed for it.

Jet vs prop really doesn't have much to do with fuel efficiency... both are efficient if you calculate fuel efficency as Miles/gallon.  Prop engines are smaller and cheaper so it makes it more affordable for the small plane pilots to afford their aircraft...

It also has nothing to do with pollution... both pollute and probably in equal quantities - again if you calculate it in pollution/gallon/mile etc...

Answer 6

Smaller aircraft generally use piston powered propeller engines as a cost reduction. Jets or turbine engines are considerably more expensive and use a lot more fuel. While there are a few light aircraft that can be converted or offer turbines (turboprops) as options, they are few due to these factors.

There are some very light jets out now (4-6 passengers) such as the Cessna Mustang and Eclipse Jet. They are still much more expensive than even a fairly heavy duty piston aircraft like the Cessna Stationair.

Answer 7

Propellors are slowly fading away but it would cost so much money for flight schools to use jet engines that tuition would be one million dollars probably for a Private Pilots License.  The Cessna Mustang is a small plane like a Skyhawk with a jet engine.  Most jets cost about a million bucks or more so there is your main answer.

That is the only real benefit.

Also, It wouldn't be easy for a student pilot to jump into a jet or to fly to grandmas across the lake at 400mph.

I like props better anyway