QUIZ: The Ultimate Turboprop Trivia

The heavily modified Gloster ‘Trent-Meteor’ testbed EE227 made history on September 20, 1945, when it became the first turboprop-powered aircraft to take flight, but which of these classic types was the first turboprop commercial airliner to enter scheduled service?

Instantly recognisable by its shrill, high-pitched whine, the Rolls-Royce Dart is one of the most successful turboprop engines in history, with more than 7,000 produced over four decades and in excess of 170 million flying hours accumulated. It powered a wide variety of commercial aircraft, but which of these designs did not use the Dart?

First flown in 1957, the giant Tupolev Tu-114 still holds several world records, including fastest propeller-driven airliner.  One of these was set on April 9, 1960, over a 5,000km closed circuit while carrying a 25 ton payload, but what was the Soviet behemoth’s average speed?

The de Havilland Canada Dash 7 holds the unique distinction of being the only airliner to operate commercial flights to and from the 1,700ft, 18.6% gradient runway of Courchevel, which sits 6,500ft above sea level in the French Alps. Which former airline flew these services?

Several notable turboprop designs emerged from the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, but which of those listed below could carry the most passengers?

What is the fastest turboprop airliner in regular airline service today?

Since delivering its first turboprop to Air Littoral in October 1989, Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR has sold more than 1,800 aircraft.  Which engine powers the latest series ATR 42 and 72?

While turboprops are generally used on shorter, regional hops, some carriers employ these types on longer, thinner routes. The following non-stop services are all operated by turboprops, but which has the longest flying time on average?

Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways – made famous by the TV series Ice Pilots – operates four Lockheed L-188 Electras in its fleet. The oldest these, C-FBAQ, rolled off the production line in February 1959, but to which airline was it first delivered?

Embraer is considering re-entering the regional turboprop market for the first time in more than two decades, but what is unusual about the Brazilian manufacturer’s concept design?