Would you or have you ever flown on a turbo prop plane?

[JimB.]

Do not necessarily equate smaller aircraft with "inexperienced" pilots. I know a guy who has flown regional aircraft for 20 years +. He just likes the smaller routes & airports.

And even the "young" pilots have thousands of hours of stick time. I'm not sure, but I think an ATP rating requires at least 1500 hours of Pilot-in-Command time.

But yes, they are lower (except for the newer small jets) & slower, which means weather is more of a factor. And noisier too, especially at the wings.

But I have no problem flying on one.

 

[tkd lisa]

Fly in them all the time for business. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the smaller amount of carry on space. You mostly have the area under your seat, and those are even smaller than normal. The one I fly most of the time has one row of overhead bins, but the don't hold much more than jackets.

I just gate check my stuff, and get it faster than regular baggage. But if you expect to board with a normal carry on, and just get your snacks/reading material out in flight, you might be out of luck since it might be under the plane!

 

[horseshowmom]

We've never had a problem when we used this type of plane. While flying doesn't bother me, it does bother DH a little, and he's been fine when we've flown on turbo props. I actually enjoy it, but then I do like to fly.

While it was louder, we didn't find it that loud (as in having to yell or getting headaches). Of course, everybody's experience is different.

As someone else said, they'll take your carryon luggage (suitcases) and give it back to you when you get off the plane.

 

[Pamlur]

Oh goodness! I grew up (during the last ice age) flying in 4-seater planes owned by a friend of our family. My son got his pilot's license at 17; he doesn't fly now because he can't afford to keep up the license, but he'd love to.

The smaller planes are a little noisier, and maybe a little bumpier sometimes, but they are fun! We will be flying on an 18-passenger prop plane in S. Africa in April.

Go for it!

 

[In a hurry]

Do not necessarily equate smaller aircraft with "inexperienced" pilots. I know a guy who has flown regional aircraft for 20 years +. He just likes the smaller routes & airports.

It seems to me that alot of the pilots are older, and want to spend every night at home. They've done the military, the jumbo jets with the traveling lifestyle, and want to just settle in.

 

[DebbieB]

From what I understand this flight is a Embraer RJ145 - a 50 seater. I'll tell you...after reading all the varied responses, I'm still not convinced this is the way to go. I am very concerned after hearing about the pilot's youth and general inexperience. Yikes! I just don't know what to do!

A turbo prop has propellers, a regional jet has jet engines. It's the same as a large plane except it has less seats.

http://www.continental.com/Travel/inflight/aircraft/erj145.asp

Aircraft Specifications


Cruise Speed: 520 mph

Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce/ Allison AE3007A1 Turbofan engines, rated at 7,426 pounds of thrust each.

Wingspan: 65 feet, 9 inches

 

[chris1gill]

Can I be honest? We flew in just that configuration last month & I was scared to DEATH... Thank God it was only 20 minutes (over water thought)... If I'd had to stay on that death trap any longer I think I would have needed some valium... AND we are seasoned travelers, so that wasn't the problem, it was that plane! I don't know if they are less safe, but they sure feel it!

 

[ACvmk]

Can I be honest? We flew in just that configuration last month & I was scared to DEATH... Thank God it was only 20 minutes (over water thought)... If I'd had to stay on that death trap any longer I think I would have needed some valium... AND we are seasoned travelers, so that wasn't the problem, it was that plane! I don't know if they are less safe, but they sure feel it!

Ok...what was it...the turbulance? Or was it the loud engine noise that got to you? We're very accustomed to air travel, but we've never traveled in a plane this small. We'd be taking the kids with us and I don't want them scared silly...not to mention myself!

 

[RC Fan]

I have flown on such an airplane many times and I have never noticed the pilots to be any younger. I don't find the planes to be that much louder. I have never found the turbulence to be a problem, and certainly I have never felt unsafe. I don't see why it would be necessary to point out the type of plane to your children. They most likely won't be nervous unless you give them some reason to be.

 

[In a hurry]

I find it hard to understand why folks have a problem with these planes. All planes use to be prop planes. They have proven themselves for 70 years.

 

[JCJRSmith]

Flew one from Florida to the Bahamas. Didnt bother me at all. It was noisy was the only thing. I view airline crashes like I do the Lotto. It just isnt going to happen for me.

One of my favorite sayings, especially when something goes not as planned is, "I knew the risk when I got on the airplane."

As for the TurboProp planes, or, as I call them, wind-up-toy-puddle-jumpers, that is usually the only type of plane I can get out of Harrisburg International Airport ("YEAH - International!! We fly to Canada!"). Never had a bad experience on them other than them being noisy and very bumpy during taxiing. Once they are airborne it is smooth sailing.

 

[Honu]

Vomit Comets. I've frequently taken them between the Hawaiian Islands, but I try to avoid them at all costs. Someone usually tosses their cookies.

 

[RadioNate]

An Embraer RJ145 is a regional jet. It isn't a turbo prop plane. My comments were for turbo props not regional jets. I have no issue with regional jets at all. For the most part I like them better than the big jets.

There are several photos here http://www.shanaberger.com/ERJ145.htm

This is the kind of turbo prop that I've flown on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Saab340.jpg

 

[lindalinda]

From what I understand this flight is a Embraer RJ145 - a 50 seater. I'll tell you...after reading all the varied responses, I'm still not convinced this is the way to go. I am very concerned after hearing about the pilot's youth and general inexperience. Yikes! I just don't know what to do!

This is a jet....you won't have the issues mentioned on this thread on this airplane. Like I said, most airlines use thesesmaller jets as commuters now, it might be a little cramped, but thats about the only problem you would have with it.

 

[Laura]

When I was at college in Ithaca, NY, it was often the only way to get the heck out of Dodge. Other than being smaller and noisier than other planes, I never had a problem with them.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Yes, plenty of times. No problems here.

 

[vetrik]

I flew on an 18 passenger turbo prop once for a quick jump between Washington DC and Norfolk. To be honest, I was petrified. I think it was very windy, and we were flying over the ocean - I couldn't even read during the flight and I was so relieved to land! I have always loved flying, but ever since that flight I have felt nerves during flights that I had never experienced before. Now, more than 8 years after that flight I am finally feeling comfortable and excited to fly again. I always joke that I was being punished because I was flying to see my boyfriend in the military without telling my parents. I never did anything without telling my parents again.

 

[froglady]

I've been a passenger on this type of plane many times, and unless you get the back seats (they don't recline) I find them more comfortable than larger planes. The seats may be narrower, but most of the time I'm not next to anyone, vs being jammed up against a stranger.

I've stopped bringing more than an oversized purse as carry-on - I got sick of feeling like a pack mule while going through the airport- so cabin storage space isn't an issue for me. And since i-pods have come on the scene, the noise isn't an issue, either.

 

[ACvmk]

An Embraer RJ145 is a regional jet. It isn't a turbo prop plane. My comments were for turbo props not regional jets. I have no issue with regional jets at all. For the most part I like them better than the big jets.

There are several photos here http://www.shanaberger.com/ERJ145.htm

This is the kind of turbo prop that I've flown on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Saab340.jpg

Thank you for the pictures. I'm starting to feel a bit more comfortable knowing its a regional jet vs. a turbo prop plane. I also appreciate the poster that mentioned the space limitations with carry-ons. I wouldn't have know to ask about that.

 

[AdventurerKat]

My DH's family flies an Embraer Regional to and from here to NJ all the time. They have had no problems whatsoever.