With the combination of a turbine jet engine and a constant-speed propeller, turboprop aircraft offer advantages in reliability, efficiency, and versatility.  Today, turboprops are flown for a wide range of missions including charter flights, cargo transport, and even high-tech agricultural applications. 

It wasn’t until after WWII that the aviation world became interested in using turboprop engines to power aircraft. In 1945, a modified British Gloster Meteor fighter was fitted with two Rolls-Royce RB.50 “Trent” turboprop engines driving 5-bladed propellers. This test aircraft became the first turboprop-powered aircraft to fly, though it never entered production.

Rolls-Royce went on to develop two additional turboprop engines, the Clyde and the Dart. In 1948, the Vickers Viscount was introduced as the first commercial airliner equipped with four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, the British aircraft had a pressurized cabin and was capable of carrying 40 to 65 passengers.  The Viscount also offered lower operational costs than jet airliners. The turboprop airliner soon became highly regarded for its comfortable, luxurious flying experience.

The first U.S. turboprop airliner was the L-188 Electra, produced by Lockheed in the late 1950s and used first by American Airlines.  Although turboprops generally have lower service ceilings compared to jets, they also burn less fuel per passenger for the same amount of flying time, making them a more cost-effective solution for shorter flights.

Post training - the majority of Pilots fly Turboprops for a period of time before transitioning to full Jet aircraft.

This book illustrates those exciting Turboprop aircraft moments, in the many photographs and in the double-page spreads, 

Here is the list of the Content Chapters, to provide you with a perspective of "Big Props" Austin J. Brown Mark R. Wagner 1987 First Edition Book

About the "Bush Flying" David Oliver 1988 First Edition Book

Bush flying refers to aircraft operations carried out in the bush. Bush flying involves operations in rough terrain where there are often no prepared landing strips or runways, frequently necessitating that bush planes be equipped with abnormally large tires, floats, skis, or any other equipment necessary for unpaved runway operation. It is the only viable way of delivering people and supplies to more difficult-to-reach, remote locations.

The term Bush has been used since the 19th century to describe remote wilderness areas beyond clearings and settlements hence bush flying denotes flight operations carried out in such remote regions.  Bush flying is the primary and sometimes the only method of access across: Alaska and the Australian Outback; Northern and Western Canada; and other parts of the world.

Here is the list of the Content Chapters, to provide you a perspective of "Bush Flying" David Oliver 1988 First Edition Book

• Otter and Twin Otter
• Beaver
• Cessna
• Goose and Mallard
• Dakota
• Commando

A typical bush plane will usually have high-mounted wings on top of its fuselage to ensure adequate ground clearance from obstacles.  They will normally have conventional "tail-dragger" landing gear as they offer lower drag and weight than tricycle landing gear, and is more suited to rough surfaces.   Most types can be equipped with wheels, skis or floats, to operate from dry ground, snow, ice, and protected waterways. Some commonly seen bush-planes include:

• The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a popular light aircraft widely used in the bush
• The De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver designed and built in Canada in 1946 is widely used throughout Canada and Alaska
• The De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter (also from Canada) was widely used throughout the Canadian and Alaskan bush. The aircraft which began its service in 1952 was supplemented by a later twin-engine version, the Twin Otter that remains in widespread service
• The Grumman G-21 Goose amphibian, whose combination of both a flying boat hull and wheeled undercarriage endowed it with versatility
• The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is a two-seat airplane developed in 1949 and is fitted with a variety of engines of different sizes. The aircraft is capable of carrying a single passenger

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