A turboprop is a turbine engine that drives an aircraft propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction gearbox, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propelling nozzle.
In the aerospace context, a turboprop is a type of aircraft propulsion system that combines the principles of a turbine engine, similar to a jet engine, and a propeller. The turbine engine, also known as a gas generator, produces shaft power, which is then used to drive a propeller that provides thrust for the aircraft.
A turboprop engine has a turbine that powers a shaft, which in turn powers a propeller. The turbine generates power to turn the propeller, while the propeller generates thrust to propel the aircraft forward. The propeller on a turboprop can be adjusted to change the pitch angle to optimize thrust depending on the flight condition (takeoff, cruise, climb, descent), giving the turboprop engine more flexibility and efficiency than a pure jet engine.
Examples of turboprop aircraft include:
- Beechcraft King Air
- Cessna Caravan
- Pilatus PC-12
- Dornier Do 228
- ATR 42, 72
- de Havilland Canada DHC-8
Turboprop engines are typically used in smaller aircraft and regional airliners, due to their relatively low cost and high fuel efficiency compared to jet engines. They are also used in many military and cargo aircraft, and in some cases, in special-purpose aircraft, such as those used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and air ambulance.