Spinning Up: Into the Turboprop (AFH Ch. 15)

The turboprop is where piston habits meet turbine reality. Chapter 15: how a gas turbine actually makes power, free-turbine versus fixed-shaft designs, torque and ITT limits, beta range and reverse thrust, and what changes about engine handling when there's a fire section instead of cylinders.In this episode:Gas turbine basics: compressor, combustor, turbine — suck, squeeze, burn, blow Free turbine vs fixed shaft: why a PT6 and a Garrett feel different Torque, ITT, and NG: the new gauges that own your attention Beta range and reverse: prop control past the idle stop, on the ground only Starts and hot starts: the two minutes where turbines get expensiveSources: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Chapter 15. Also referenced: **Handbook edition:** FAA-H-8083-3C; 14 CFR 91.211 — Supplemental oxygen requirements (referenced in the chapter's high-altitude ground-training outline); **Other references named from the chapter:** RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) operations; RNAV/RNP and RAIM; example engines cited by the handbook — Garrett TPE331 (fixed-shaft constant-speed) and Pratt & Whitney PT-6 (split-shaft/free turbine).; **Episode description disclosure:** Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.. Current as of August 2026 — always verify against the current FAR/AIM.Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.