View Poll Results: Which turbine brand do you prefer ?
Jet Central
42
23.73%
Jet Cat
28
15.82%
Kingtech
74
41.81%
Jet munts
25
14.12%
other
8
4.52%
Voters: 177. You may not vote on this poll
Recommendation for turbine !!!
11-13-2018, 12:37 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Recommendation for turbine !!!
Ok guys, I am looking to switch brands of turbines. I am having issues with my current brand. I am currently flying 100-180 size turbines. I am looking advice from people that fly turbines a lot and what I mean by that is you put 20 plus flights a month of your jet. I live in North Carolina where we can fly all year long. But in the winter It might be 40 degrees one day and the next it's 70 degrees. I am seeing issues with all brands of Turbines when I go to Jet events, but dont know if it the turbine or the pilots issue. Please don't turn this into a bashing turbine thread. What turbines do you fly and why ?
11-13-2018, 04:58 PM
#2
It's a tough one to answer, I voted kingtech because their engines are the best bang for the buck really.
Having said that, I primarily fly AMT but very few still want AMT engines, they are bigger and heavier, but they never die. For me the AMT is simply the best engine you can buy. Most guys don't like the, lets call it, antiquated technology. Internal Kero, internal everything, telemetry etc is not important to me at all, reliability is.
As far as reliability goes, I don't think you can go wrong with Kingtech or Jetcat honestly. I do have a couple jetcats as well. I did own a Kingtech K80 but sold it before I ever used it to be honest, no reason other than I needed a larger engine.
Having said that, I primarily fly AMT but very few still want AMT engines, they are bigger and heavier, but they never die. For me the AMT is simply the best engine you can buy. Most guys don't like the, lets call it, antiquated technology. Internal Kero, internal everything, telemetry etc is not important to me at all, reliability is.
As far as reliability goes, I don't think you can go wrong with Kingtech or Jetcat honestly. I do have a couple jetcats as well. I did own a Kingtech K80 but sold it before I ever used it to be honest, no reason other than I needed a larger engine.
11-14-2018, 07:06 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
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It's a tough one to answer, I voted kingtech because their engines are the best bang for the buck really.
Having said that, I primarily fly AMT but very few still want AMT engines, they are bigger and heavier, but they never die. For me the AMT is simply the best engine you can buy. Most guys don't like the, lets call it, antiquated technology. Internal Kero, internal everything, telemetry etc is not important to me at all, reliability is.
As far as reliability goes, I don't think you can go wrong with Kingtech or Jetcat honestly. I do have a couple jetcats as well. I did own a Kingtech K80 but sold it before I ever used it to be honest, no reason other than I needed a larger engine.
Having said that, I primarily fly AMT but very few still want AMT engines, they are bigger and heavier, but they never die. For me the AMT is simply the best engine you can buy. Most guys don't like the, lets call it, antiquated technology. Internal Kero, internal everything, telemetry etc is not important to me at all, reliability is.
As far as reliability goes, I don't think you can go wrong with Kingtech or Jetcat honestly. I do have a couple jetcats as well. I did own a Kingtech K80 but sold it before I ever used it to be honest, no reason other than I needed a larger engine.
Cheers,
JanR
11-15-2018, 12:14 PM
#10
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NJ
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I have 4 Jet centrals. The best warranty is the one that you don't have to use. Not all life time warranty are the same. Never owned any other turbine brand with the life time warranty but seeing other friends that did it did not compare to my brand. Go with the jet Central just a very happy Jet Central customer.
11-15-2018, 07:36 PM
#14
I have owned 16 turbines. Jetcat and king tech. I’m down to one Jetcat and eight kingtechs. Customer service and price cannot be be beat with Barry and Dirk at kingtech. I think Jetcat was the benchmark for reliability and I think kingtech is on par with Jetcat. The customer service pushes KT ahead IMO. You can call Barry or Dirk at 9pm on a Sunday night and they will pick up and try to help you.
11-16-2018, 05:45 AM
#18
Most are partial... When my Jetcentral blew up for the third time in a row.... I was only optioned to buy a new engine at a discount and they would not repair my engine again stating lack of parts to fix it. Problem was the discounted price was still about the same price as an outright new kingtech motor. That is when I made the switch to Kingtech.
11-16-2018, 07:40 AM
#19
My Feedback: (4)
I’ve owned all of the brands listed, still own three of the four. JetCentral gets my vote for the warranty and support. But, that’s not to say JetsMunt support isn’t fantastic too, Gaspar is really fast on getting back to your emails.
Frankly, I won’t own another Kingtech. My experiences have been less than positive. That’s all I say, as you never win in a Ford vs. Chevy argument!
I will say this, there is definitely something to be said for flying what other people around you are flying. Nothing like local experience and support!
if I were to buy a new turbine now? Jet Central, no question.
Tom M
Frankly, I won’t own another Kingtech. My experiences have been less than positive. That’s all I say, as you never win in a Ford vs. Chevy argument!
I will say this, there is definitely something to be said for flying what other people around you are flying. Nothing like local experience and support!
if I were to buy a new turbine now? Jet Central, no question.
Tom M
11-16-2018, 09:41 AM
#20
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Kingtech
I do not fly a lot in fact I only have one jet and flown only about 15 times. However, here is my two cents and why I voted KT.
I bought a slightly used 140 it used to start good but always had a wet start. It wasn’t horrible wet start but I realized it could be better. So I asked around here and there and changed my parameters slightly. Someone tells me change this someone else change that. One day I started it and had insane wet start almost burned my model down. So I decided I will just stick with my older wet start. However, one time I contacted Barry on Facebook he asked me for a video of the start and my parameters. So I did next day he sent me completely different parameters and I was very hesitant to try them especially it is an older model KT. But I was assured by many people that Barry knows what he is doing so I did change everything like he said and started the engine. Not a single flame came out ! Then I realized i could depend on KT if there’s someone so experienced behind it. And his help is readily available.
Morever, I have flown my jet in completely different conditions. One in the summer when it was 80+ and almost 100% humidity and last weekend when it was around 30 degree. In both conditions I was able to achieve similar speeds on my jet(I know speed is not thrust) but that says something. If the speeds I am getting are consistent in two opposite conditions. It only means the engine is doing its job very well.
Kingtech gets my vote and business.
I bought a slightly used 140 it used to start good but always had a wet start. It wasn’t horrible wet start but I realized it could be better. So I asked around here and there and changed my parameters slightly. Someone tells me change this someone else change that. One day I started it and had insane wet start almost burned my model down. So I decided I will just stick with my older wet start. However, one time I contacted Barry on Facebook he asked me for a video of the start and my parameters. So I did next day he sent me completely different parameters and I was very hesitant to try them especially it is an older model KT. But I was assured by many people that Barry knows what he is doing so I did change everything like he said and started the engine. Not a single flame came out ! Then I realized i could depend on KT if there’s someone so experienced behind it. And his help is readily available.
Morever, I have flown my jet in completely different conditions. One in the summer when it was 80+ and almost 100% humidity and last weekend when it was around 30 degree. In both conditions I was able to achieve similar speeds on my jet(I know speed is not thrust) but that says something. If the speeds I am getting are consistent in two opposite conditions. It only means the engine is doing its job very well.
Kingtech gets my vote and business.
11-16-2018, 10:38 AM
#21
Jet Central
In the end it comes down to customer support, who's providing customer support on the weekend's or evenings when you are actually flying, not "during normal business hours".... what are normal business hours for support for a hobby related item
Most modern Turbines are relatively reliable, and they all can have issues.
If you live in the USA , you know it is the old "Chevy vs Ford vs. Dodge question", everyone has their favorite!
Mine just happens to be Jet Central, as an owner you become part of the family!
I think competition is great, it keeps everyone on their toes, and in the end the consumer reaps the rewards!
In the end it comes down to customer support, who's providing customer support on the weekend's or evenings when you are actually flying, not "during normal business hours".... what are normal business hours for support for a hobby related item
Most modern Turbines are relatively reliable, and they all can have issues.
If you live in the USA , you know it is the old "Chevy vs Ford vs. Dodge question", everyone has their favorite!
Mine just happens to be Jet Central, as an owner you become part of the family!
I think competition is great, it keeps everyone on their toes, and in the end the consumer reaps the rewards!
11-16-2018, 10:47 AM
#22
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mexico CityD.F., MEXICO
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Most are partial... When my Jetcentral blew up for the third time in a row.... I was only optioned to buy a new engine at a discount and they would not repair my engine again stating lack of parts to fix it. Problem was the discounted price was still about the same price as an outright new kingtech motor. That is when I made the switch to Kingtech.
You are right, your case was a poorly handled one, and it was a great lost for our brand and a great win for Kingtech, but we try to learn from our mistakes
The good thing is that we still enjoy to meet and talk with each other at jet events
I will not write about our warranty policy here because I don´t think it is the place to do it, so I'll do it on the Turbine Clinic/Jet Central forum. I just will say it is not partial
Regards
11-16-2018, 11:29 AM
#23
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First
I was the first one in my club in MA to own a Kingtech K-80 (Gold) propane. They all shot it down without knowing anything about it..won't say names but now ALL of them use Kingtech now! 
11-16-2018, 11:41 AM
#24
Join Date: Dec 2004
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You can't go wrong with Jets Munt. A very high quality turbine ,light weight, efficient and lightening fast throttle response. Equally important is the technical support, which Jets Munt excels at. A few years ago I purchased a Merlin 100 and liked it so much(light years ahead of my other turbines) that I purchased a Merlin 140 for my Flash and I am very happy with both turbines.
11-16-2018, 12:01 PM
#25
I have all Kingtech. A 85, 120 and 180. They have all been great, very reliable. Barry has been terrific to work with especially when I was first starting out. Every other jet at my field is Kingtech as well except for one JetCat. I think they are all probably good, especially if operated carefully. Fuel filters have to be cleaned regularly and fuel pumps wear out and have to be replaced.
Rick Pellicciotti
Avanti Jet.com
Rick Pellicciotti
Avanti Jet.com