We admit it. We like turbochargers, turbocharging systems and the airplanes that wrap around them. More than just a tool for flying in mountainous regions—turbos provide the vertical agility for dealing with weather necessary in an airplane that is a vehicle for serious transportation. In the flat lands of the Midwest and Great Lakes, turbocharging often means going versus remaining parked when there is ice in the clouds. When going the distance, getting up to the high teens or low 20s means far more speed and efficiency than a normally aspirated airplane and the ability to select the best altitudes for the winds.
Our research indicates that the additional hourly cost of turbocharging is on the order of $25 per turbo, or a little more than 10 percent of the hourly cost of operating a high-performance single. Most of that is to allow for overhaul of the turbo at about 1200 hours—the rest for the more rigorous inspections required of the exhaust system and periodic adjustments to the full turbo system.