DHC-3 PT6 engine VS Garrett

[skyrocket]

It would be interesting to know, from pilots or operators, wich one is the best...

[aeroyt]

Garrett

[Cat Driver]

Garrett.

[Bushav8er]

Why?

[Fuel Boss Hog]

Garrett - when it comes to floats there's no such thing as too much power......why argue with an added 150 hp. Docking is also substantially easier.

[2R]

Thought i saw one with a walter on it or was it walther ???

[SuperDave]

I like the Garret better due to the fact that it has more power than the PT-6. The PT-6 has 750shp, Garret has 900shp for take-off...and it's direct drive which is nice to have, especially for off-strip work. Throwing that 4 bladed prop into reverse is quite an experience too. Yes, there is a Walter conversion as well. It's a Czech engine rated at 751 shp I believe. That's about all the turbine mods I know of. Orenda has a liquid cooled V-8 I think, and I hear it's pretty good too all things considered. And don't forget the Polish PZL rated at 1000 hp.

I don't have very much time at all behind a Garrett, compared to my time behind a PT-6, but I do like the -6 in the winter. Starts nice, runs good, no worries. I hear Garretts are a bit of a bitch in the wintertime but I'm sure it's like anything else, if you know what you're doing with them it's probably not as bad as people make it out to be.

If there are secrets to successfully running the 331 when it's cold I wouldn't mind hearing them

Peace,

Dave

[duCapo]

I haven't flown the Garrett I hear it is kick ass, but I have flown the PT6 and the Walter. I can give you 10 reasons why the Walter wins hands down over the PT6

[bandit1]

Garretts are fine in the winter.

If your batteries are strong and you preheat, you'll have no issues.

[Fuel Boss Hog]

Garretts are fine in the winter.

If your batteries are strong and you preheat, you'll have no issues.

Bobby et al at Texas Turbine came up with a start mod about three years ago, soon as you dump in the fuel it kicks up to 48v., awesome acceleration.

Takes the old start time of 45 - 50 seconds to approx 25 sec......you're hard pressed to keep fuel ahead of it at the spool up rate - great!

[bandit1]

I think the J31's automatically kick into ''series'' as well.

[wabano]

Lears, Falcon, Aero commanders all have the 48 volt starters

Without that, the Garrett is pretty iffy in winter.

The Walter have a slinger fuel feed, need hardly any power
from the ONE battery for start, a life saver when you're in a bind.

[SuperDave]

Bobby et al at Texas Turbine came up with a start mod about three years ago, soon as you dump in the fuel it kicks up to 48v., awesome acceleration.

Takes the old start time of 45 - 50 seconds to approx 25 sec......you're hard pressed to keep fuel ahead of it at the spool up rate - great!

Yeah, I've heard about those. Our Otter doesn't have that yet. Do any of you know how long it would take to install? Approx how much would it cost? Is the juice worth the squeeze? We operate north of 60 year round so any mod that will enhance safety and reliability would be worth knowing about, for sure.

Thanks,

Dave

[The Barrel Man]

Stop sucking up Superdave. What, are you trying to get a job on PEN, ha ha. We all miss you, even me

[Mongo]

I've got 1800 hours in turbine Otters of both varieties on floats, wheels, and skiis. Each have their plusses. Depends on your application.

The PT-6 is quiet, easier to start, and less susceptible to FOD. The Garrett requires attention at startup, is noisier by far, but is much more responsive to power changes on a tight approach and landing using reverse thrust.

This time of year, up north of 70, I prefer the Garrett since you get heat immediately upon startup and even at -40F are warm by the time you taxi to the runway. I've froze my butt in the Vazar when the OAT goes more than minus 10F which is most of the season up here.

The 24V switching to 48V at spool up works well, just don't miss your chance because you'll only get two good shots at starting it.

Garrett TBO is 7000 hr with hot section at 3500. The PT6 is a 3600 TBO with hots at 1200 and 2400 hr, though that is extendable with the FAA for another 500 hours.

Most of the recent Otter conversions to turbines seem to be going Garrett - which should tell one a lot.

In the end I'd have to say: Garrett.

[Edo]

I haven't flown the Garrett I hear it is kick ass, but I have flown the PT6 and the Walter. I can give you 10 reasons why the Walter wins hands down over the PT6

What are the 10 reasons?

[wabano]

Mah-nay...

Your paycheck depend on the operator making MAH-NAY!!!


Walter is dirt cheap...and has been purchased by GE.
http://www.walterengines.com/products/a ... iption.htm

Also foolproof, designed to be operated by retarded and drunk soviet pilots...
Maintenance is minimal...if the TBO is only half the Garrett, the cost is still waaayyy less.
(You can still toast it, but it require real effort.)

On the other hand, power pick up is even slower than the PT6
so you are guaranteed to scare yourself in a go around in tight spots!!!
Reverse is also weak...prop stay where you leave it, so no worry about
latching it in fine as with the PT6 docking.

The Garrett, on the other hand, require a minimum IQ,
designed like the similar Rolls Royce Dart, so a start with
the prop not flat pitched will see melted metal pouring out the exhaust...
Don't laugh, I seen it done.

(By the way, another Walter is a German outfit making oxygen peroxide
turbines for German submarines...no relation with the Czech Walter)