Piston Engines and Turboprop Engines: What Are the Differences

While the future of aircraft engines is moving towards a full realization of electric power, a majority of current models rely on internal combustion engines for the burning of fuel-and-air mixtures for propulsion generation. Turboprop engine and piston engine types are very common for a number of aircraft, both of which have overlapping flight regimes though still greatly vary in their design and capabilities. As two reliable options that make heavier-than-air flight possible, it can be useful to understand the various differences between each to see which is a better fit for your particular needs and applications.

Piston aircraft are those that utilize a propeller that is driven by a piston engine for creating thrust and forward movement. Piston engines can come in a variety of forms, common types being inline engines, opposed-type engines, V-type engines, and radial engines. While each type may vary in its general configuration and cooling method, all rely on the assembly of pistons, cylinders, and crankshafts for their operations. Following a stroke cycle such as the four stroke cycle, each cylinder serves to intake fuel and air, compress the mixture with pistons, achieve ignition with spark plugs, and supply a force that may be converted into reciprocal force.

In general, piston engines are well-known for their high reliability and are typically cheap in price. Furthermore, piston engines can also present high efficiency with high power outputs as well as may yield increased performance at greater altitudes. Piston engines are usually direct drive engines, though there are types that may be geared. Typically, piston engines regularly serve lightweight aircraft and general aviation models, providing sufficient power for lower weight classes.

The turboprop engine is a type of gas turbine engine, a family which consists of turbojet engines, turbofan engines, turboshaft engines, and more. While serving as a separate engine type from piston engines, turboprops similarly create force and energy in order to drive propeller assemblies. With the design of turboprop engines, air enters the inlet of the assembly and increases in pressure while passing through a compressor. Once reaching the combustion chamber, the air is mixed with fuel through the use of nozzles before being ignited. With the resulting, rapidly expanding exhaust gases, the turbine assembly can harness pressure and force to create the energy needed to drive systems and the propeller. The turbine is a rotary driven fan, and the exhaust gas that pushes towards the exit of the assembly will collide with blades to create a self-sustaining operation.

While turboprop engines utilize a propeller assembly for their flight capabilities, such engines are able to operating more efficiently than piston engines at higher altitudes due to their increased ability of compression. Furthermore, their lack of moving parts results in smoother operations and longer intervals between maintenance endeavors. Nevertheless, turboprops are often more complex, and more expensive. Based on their various differences, piston engines are well suited for smaller aircraft that transport around six passengers over short distances while turboprops can accommodate larger aircraft with higher passenger counts and travel lengths.

Whether you decide a piston engine or turboprop engine is best fit for your needs, Complete Sourcing Solutions is here to help you procure everything you are searching for with ease. Complete Sourcing Solutions is a trusted distributor for bearing parts, fasteners, connector parts, and aircraft parts that have come from top global manufacturers. To ensure that customers only receive the best, we subject all of our inventory to rigorous quality assurance measures, and every item is sent alongside its qualifying certifications and manufacturing trace documentation as applicable. Get started with a competitive quote on items that you are interested in today when you fill out and submit an Instant RFQ form as provided on our website.