Airplane Variables:

TYPE OF PLANE ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES Prop plane (reciprocating engine) Pros: Can take off and land on extremely short runways. Cons: Does not have the power of the other two; poor performance at higher altitudes; and load carrying is limited. Turbo jet Pros: Can go far and fast; has enough power to take off at high altitude airports. Cons: Requires extremely long runways for both takeoff and landing; can not climb as well as a turbo prop. Turbo prop plane Pros: Can take off and land on shorter runways; can climb better than a turbo jet. Cons: Usually cannot go as far or as fast as a turbojet.

2 Minutes Based on what you now know and the topographical and climatic conditions listed with each location, which type of airplane(s) would be appropriate for each of the destinations: Turbo Prop, Prop, and/or Turbo Jet. Click on the letter corresponding to the correct choice. HINT: 1. The higher the altitude, the less dense the air, the less performance, the longer the runway required. 2. The colder the temperature, the more dense the air, the shorter the runway required. 3. The hotter the temperature, the less performance, the longer the runway required. 1. Lima, Peru - 10,000 foot mountains - short runways - temperatures can range from cool to warm A) Turbo Prop or Prop B) Jet, Turbo Prop, Prop C) Turbo Prop D) Jet or Turbo Prop

Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov