Help!
My flight, Pisa to Rome, just got changed to a Turboprop plane (ATR42). I am a nervous flyer as it is and really am dreading a small plane with propellers. I can't change it because I have a connecting flight to Miami.
Has anyone flown on these, am I worrying for nothing?
Yes, you're worrying for nothing.
In the U.S., I have flown on turboprops for the past 15 years since, until recently, they were the only planes that flew from SCE to IAD, PHL, or DTW. In Europe, I have flown from VIE to PRG on a turboprop. They are definitely noisier and generally provide a 'bumpier' ride than commuter jets, but the trips are typically short (less than one hour) and most of the time the flights have been very smooth. The worst flight I ever experienced turbulence-wise was not on a turbo-prop but on a 747 from BOS to EWR a long time ago. So, just hope for good weather and you'll be in Rome before you know it. With that said, if you are totally freaked out by the thought of flying on a turboprop, then just take a train to Rome.
FDR: “Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”
That and the wings coming off.
Turbo prop equipment is typically used on short haul flights. If you need to be worried, be worried about being over water hours from the nearest airfield.
Like in 'Castaway'. Yikes!
Thanks for the humorous replies :)
Charlotte,
The ATR-42 is very similar to the DH-3 aircraft and others which are typically used on short haul routes, which I"ve flown on many times over the years. They're a bit noisier than jets and sometimes invoke feelings of claustrophobia in some passengers, but they're a reliable "workhorse". Any aircraft is susceptible to turbulence, but that typically only lasts for a short time. Using smaller carry-on items is usually prudent on those, as the overhead bins can be quite small. The smaller aircraft will still get you where you want to go.
You could have also travelled by high speed train on that route (2H:50M to Termini using a direct Freccia train and then about 32M to FCO).
Agree with Kent. You have nothing to worry about.
A turboprop a simply a different kind of jet engine. In a turbojet the exhaust gases are expelled out the back of the engine, pushing the aircraft forward. In a turboprop, most of the gases spin a turbine which is connected to the propeller at the front. At lower altitudes and speeds this is much more efficient. It makes no sense to climb to 35,000 feet and go 550 mph just from Pisa to Rome, which at 160 miles is about the distance of Burbank to San Diego.
Nearly all "jet" airliners have turbofan engines. They are like turboprops because much of the exhaust gas is used to spin a turbine which is connected to that big bypass fan -- which is just a big, many-bladed, fixed-pitch propeller -- in the front of the engine nacelle.
A turboprop's larger, external propeller, with fewer blades and turning more slowly (and thus, unfortunately, more vibration) is much more efficient down low, using only about 2/3 as much fuel as a turbofan.
Modern turboprop engines are extremely simple and reliable.
You could have also travelled by high speed train on that route (2H:50M to Termini using a direct Freccia train and then about 32M to FCO).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rail_accidents_%282010%E2%80%93present%29
24 September 2012 – Italy – The train driver died, and 25 passengers
were injured when a high-speed Freccia Argento train, travelling
between Rome and Lecce collided with a lorry at a level crossing in
Cisternino. The Romanian lorry driver was arrested and charged with
manslaughter6 August 2010 – Italy – One person dies and about 40 are injured in a
train derailment in Naples, Italy, on the Circumvesuviana railway.12 April 2010 – Italy – A passenger train is hit by a landslide and
partially derails near Merano, South Tyrol, killing 9 and injuring 28
Florence airport has a very short runway. I still remember the time when ATR42s were the largest aircrafts to service the airport. Actually, as ATR42s can take off in a very short distance, we could even think that taking off from Florence in an ATR42 could be safer than taking off in an A318 or A319 (often diverted to Pisa or Bologna if weather is less than optimal).
The pilots, airlines and air traffic controllers have the short runway thing figured out. A long time ago.
Don't worry about it.
A captain from the cockpit makes an announcement:
I have a piece of good news and a piece of bad news.
The good news is that we are going to hit town ahead of schedule.
The bad news is that...we are going to hit town.
I don't know if this makes you feel better, but in case of emergency the ATR 42 is known for being able to land anywhere: highways, parking lots, rice fields, you name it.
Excellent point Roberto about the ATR short field emergency landing capability. The ATR like the Bombardier Q400 are high wing aircraft for prop clearance. The wing is less likely the shear off landing in a agricultural field than a low wing jet.
OK, OK, Guys, I get it!!! I will think of it as a new experience!
