[Steely Tom]

Pardon my ignorance, but what's an MU-2?

I don't know much about aircraft, but I know a little about this one.

It's a very cool looking corporate twin-turboprop airplane. I once saw one back up under its own power to get into position for its takeoff run at a rural airport.

The first-stage compressor blade circle is about the same diameter as the blower in a canister-style vacuum cleaner. Somewhat more expensive, I'll wager.

I always thought that ability to change prop-pitch to reverse thrust would make me a little nervous about flying in one. If it happened in flight it could really ruin your day.

(steely)

[babyface00]

Thanks, Steely! Sounds pretty cool.

[blackdog]

All turboprops have such pitch control. At least that I know of. Nobody uses it at a standstill though because of the damage done to the blades by getting sandblasted by grit, dirt, and small stones.

[Moose4]

Most turboprops have reversable props, used for braking on short runways. There's been at least one accident in recent years involving a turboprop and reverse pitch in flight...IIRC a pilot attempting to do a short, steep descent tried to pull the prop pitch back and pulled it a little too far back, into reverse, while flying at high speed. After the molten engine parts quit flying out the exhaust, I think the pilot wound up ditching it in a field.

Nice-looking little airplane, though a pretty fancy ride for just one man and his wife.

}:-)4