What exactly does a turbo prop do that a regular propeller driven airplane doesn't do?

Question

In other words, what's the difference?

Answer 1

A turbo prop uses a turbine engine, just like a jet. However, the power from the turbine is transmitted through a reduction gear/transmission to turn the prop. A prop is a prop is a prop. It is what produces the thrust which exceeds drag to move the aircraft through the air, just like in a piston driven aircraft.

Turbo props rotate at a constant velocity and rely solely on pitch changes for thrust.

On some turboprops, the turbine exhaust provides a modest amount of thrust, usually less than 10%.

Turbo props rotate at a much higher speed because they are not tied to the RPM limits of a piston driven engine.

So to answer the question: A turbo prop uses a turbine engine, rotates at higher RPM vs. normal piston driven prop aircraft and relies solely on pitch change to provide thrust.

Answer 2

Joe Pilot is correct. John F is not quite.

A Turbo-prop (the jet turbine section at least) operates at high RMP's, as mentioned- this is where a turbine engine is most efficient. In addition to the engine being quite efficient, it is also substantially lighter is mass compared to a piston engine that produces the same amount of power.

High torque supplied to the propeller blades (low torque-hi rpm in the turbine; high torque-low rpm through the reduction gearbox) allows for a reduced Prop RPM, and thus makes trubo-prop aircraft a bit quieter.

Answer 3

A turbo prop is similar to a jet engine, except that the turbofan (propeller) is on the outside.

This means that you are 'pushed' through the air by the compression of the hot air inside the engine.

In a regular propeller plane, the propeller blades are similar to vertical wings. You are 'pulled' through the air. The action is similar to a screw going into wood.

Edit: Pay not attention to this man! I've put a new link below that is correct. I'll stick to questions about golf rules.