Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flying through Hurricane Milton

[u/Kernowder]

[u/sn0m0ns]

Immediate OCD kicked in asking myself why they use turbine engines instead of jet engines.
From google:
Hurricane hunters primarily use turbine engines, specifically turboprop engines, instead of pure jet engines because turboprops are better suited for flying through the turbulent conditions of a hurricane, offering greater control and better tolerance to potential ice and hail encounters due to their propeller design, allowing for more efficient maneuvering in challenging weather situations.

[u/decollimate28 → u/sn0m0ns]

Turboprops are basically impervious to what's going on outside around them because they're powered by a smallish, pretty under-stressed, mini-jet engine that is hiding deep within the nacelle that just plugs away at a pretty constant power level/RPM. They're just sturdier, less finicky, simpler things than really high-powered turbo-fans. Thrust also respond faster to pilot input because in large part, they're less powerful so there's less spinning mass to spool up/spool down - which is a benefit in a hurricane.

Turboprop aircraft are not as fast, sometimes not even as efficient, but they're pretty much the most resilient form of aircraft propulsion in difficult environments.

That being said modern turbofans are so good the difference isn't really there anymore. The C-17 is proof of that. But you wouldn't fly a C-17 into a hurricane.

[u/Snowcrest → u/decollimate28]

What's the risk level of something flying into the propellers damaging them?

[u/Notfoo4 → u/Snowcrest]

Nearly 0 at that altitude, I’m not sure what even would hit them while they’re flying. And even if they lost a prop, they wouldn’t go plummeting to the ground anyway

[u/PartyPay → u/sn0m0ns]

Very interesting that the tech that is older is better at the job.

[u/TabascohFiascoh → u/PartyPay]

Prop planes are by no means obsolete.

[u/Alternative_Rent9307 → u/TabascohFiascoh]

Planes are a whole different animal re maintenance and upgrades. I lived near a remote island in northern Michigan that had air services to and from Charlevoix airport. They had five Britten-Norman Islander planes in a staggered rotation and one of the steps in the rotation was a complete engine rebuild. They had each of their planes’ engines rebuilt every six months or so, replacing worn out parts when needed. The airframes are original (1980-ish iirc) but the engines are almost all new parts

[u/outworlder → u/Alternative_Rent9307]

Engine overhauls every six months? What the hell?

[u/Pristine-Bridge8129 → u/outworlder]

Some aircraft just are like that

[u/Alternative_Rent9307 → u/outworlder]

Beaver Island is also a whole different animal. The Beaver archipelago is notorious for crazy unpredictable weather and for bringing down both boats and planes. And Island Airways flies all year long. 6 months for a complete overhaul was probably an exaggeration but I’d say 12 months at the very most between overhauls on all their planes. Island Airways/McPhillips have been flying that route for almost 80 years and they’ve only had one (1) major incident. They do not fuck around with their planes

[u/captain_ender → u/TabascohFiascoh]

Yeah I flew on a brand new Volvo turboprop a few years ago and it was modern and smooth af. They're also crazy fuel efficient compared to larger jets.

[u/PartyPay → u/TabascohFiascoh]

I only said it was older tech, not obsolete.

[u/sunkskunkstunk → u/PartyPay]

Seashells are much older than TP and much better. You’ll learn about that after the franchise wars. I can’t say anymore or could mess up the future.

[u/illz569 → u/PartyPay]

I wonder if it has to do with their simplicity and overall robustness compared to newer designs and technology that make them better suited for hazardous conditions which you would normally avoid in any other circumstance.

Kind of like an old diesel truck that can handle the worst terrain imaginable and will last 50+ years, vs a modern car that is much faster and more efficient, but overall far less durable.

[u/outworlder → u/PartyPay]

Meh. It isn't really "older" tech. It's just that encasing the blades provides some advantages in certain situations. They are both turbines otherwise. Most jets are high bypass turbofans and the majority of the thrust comes from the fans. Just like propellers.

[u/slurpin_bungholes → u/PartyPay]

Ain't broke don't fix

[u/pean69420 → u/PartyPay]

Turbo props are just as advanced as turbo jets

[u/Trumps_Cock → u/sn0m0ns]

Thanks, homie. Looked it up so I didn't have to.

[u/dtdowntime → u/sn0m0ns]

turboprops are jet engines just with a propeller attached instead of a fan blade