Originally Posted by
zephyr
...However I remember hearing that somebody is working on fitting a 1000 SHP PT-6 on it. That would change things.
Like I said, I never experienced any problems myself. I know my old company had three complete engine failures in Caravans during my time there. I also know of other high profile Caravan operators experiencing similar issues. I've heard a ton of people rave about the reliability of the PT-6, but there's something about that engine on the Caravan that's an ongoing problem.
It's a honest, easy to fly, airplane though. Gotta love the heat in the winter also
I wish I could have gotten the heat to work a little better when I needed it...my Caravan time is mostly from flying jumpers...early spring and late autumn in MI with a gaping back door and flight idle descents made for a pretty cold pilot at the end of the day
.
Beyond being, as you've indicated, somewhat underpowered, I saw big problems with propeller erosion...we flew off of a field with a pretty dilapidated runway, and it truly ate our Hartzell alive. Not a complaint I could really level against the design, I suppose...Any similarly sized turboprop single will have the same issues.
I hadn't heard anything about a 1,000 SHP PT6...but I do know Texas Turbine Conversions is offering an STC to put 1,100 SHP Garretts on Caravans that are
flatrated to 900 SHP. They call it the Supervan 900 and it's a $625k modification
without the cost of the airframe. If you know of a PT6 STC that competes with this, please post it or PM me...I'd definitely be interested in seeing it.