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this mean? Your SETP weight and balance calculations will be much more involved than you’re used to in piston airplanes. Thank goodness we live in the era of weight and balance apps!
The Real Test
You’ll be required to complete stringent training before you captain a SETP. The syllabus will undoubtedly focus on all the things we’ve covered above. You’ll be trained to a level of mastery of all the differences in systems, opera- tions, control and handling. With that mastery you should be able to avoid accidents, right?
Maybe not. The problems that have befallen others are likely to be the issues you’ll face as well. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the types of mishaps that have oc- curred in our three sample turboprop marques. As I write this, the NTSB accident database is undergoing revisions and I’ve not yet mastered its new search functions. SETPs are popular in Australia, however, so I did a search of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau history for our SETP sample. You can see that the things that lead to accidents in SETPs are not much different from the factors involved in piston airplane crashes.
Arizona Type Rating
ATSB Cause
C207
TBM
PC-12
Engine Failure
Loss of Separation/Coordination
Controlled Flight into Terrain
Pilot Incapacitation
Flap Failure/Loss of Control
Landed Short
Turbulence/Loss of Control
VFR into IMC
Runway Excursion
Wheels Up Landing
Synthetic Vision Failure
8 0 3
5 1 5
2 0 1
1 1 1
1 0 0
0 0 1
1 0 0
1 0 0
1 0 0
N/A 1 0
0 0 1
Your SETP Transition
It’s been said that everything about flying light airplanes applies to heavier ones, but not everything about heavy airplanes applies to lighter ones. Everything you do (and are supposed to do) in piston airplanes – airspeed control, attitude control, rudder coordination, systems knowledge, checklist use – is even more important when you fly a SETP. And there’s a lot more to learn. That’s the challenge and the fun of your SETP transition.
Preferred
Thomas P. Turner is an ATP CFII/MEI, holds a master's Degree in Aviation Safety, and was the 2010 Na- tional FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. Subscribe to Tom’s free FLYING LESSONS Weekly e-newsletter at www.mastery-flight-training.com.
January 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 9