Why are there no small turboprops?

On Mon, 24 May 2004 00:28:44 -0500, Greg Copeland
wrote:

On Mon, 24 May 2004 05:16:31 +0000, Shiver Me Timbers wrote:

Thomas J. Paladino Jr. wrote:

I have always wondered why there are no small GA turboprops.

GOOGLE is your friend.

http://www.mauleairinc.com/Our_Planes/Maule_M-7-420AC/

I've always wondered the same. To take his question and run with it, why
are small turbo props not the defacto engine used throughout small GA
planes?

Seems to me that a variety of small jets and turbo props could be made,
which are just as safe and have slightly better performance envelopes than
currently exist while having less failures and vibration to boot.

Is simple economics the answer? $30k piston versus something like $80k
turbine, or something like that?

Turbines drink fuel like crazy at low altitude. They are more
reliable, run smooth, and have more reserve power than piston
engines, but what a thirst.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com