Aircraft and their engines have undergone plenty of changes since the first powered flights over 100 years ago. The introduction of jet engines from the 1950s has, of course, made one of the biggest differences. The different types of engines in use across different aircraft sometimes cause confusion. It doesn’t need to – as this quick guide explains.
AVIATION GUIDES
- What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
- A Short Guide to FBO’s – the Dos and Dont’s
- Current Risks to Aviation
- How Air Cargo is Revolutionising the Global Economy
- The Cost To Operate A Private Jet
- Infrastructure For Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- Why There Is A Need To Improve Aviation Industry
- Emergency Flight Charter
- Diplomatic Flight Operations
Propeller Engines
The earliest form of aircraft engine was based on a combustion engine attached to a propeller. Engine technology and power (and propeller technology) have improved significantly over the years, but propeller engines work much the same way today. They operate in a similar way to a car combustion engine – igniting a fuel and air mixture to move a crankshaft. Traditional propeller engines today are only found on the smallest private aviation aircraft.
Turboprop Engines
Larger aircraft that you see with a propeller are likely to use a turbine-based engine. Development of such engines began in the 1930s, with introduction to commercial aviation after the second world war in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Turbine engines still work on the principle of combusting fuel with air, but the incoming air is compressed before combustion. This results in higher temperatures and more power.
With a turboprop engine, the hot exhaust gases move a turbine, which powers the propeller and the compressor. This is much more efficient than a turbojet engine at lower speeds.
Turbojet Engines
The turbojet engine works in a similar way to the turboprop, with condensed air burned to produce hot exhaust. The exhaust drives a turbine that powers the compressor and also passes straight out the rear of the engine. This creates the propulsion, whereas with a turboprop engine, it is created by the propeller.
Turbojets were the first type of jet engine developed. Compared to advances with turbofans (and turboprops) today, they are much less efficient. They were used extensively on the earliest jets, including the de Havilland Comet and the Boeing 707. Concorde also retained them and added afterburners to reheat the exhaust gases to provide the power needed for supersonic flight.
Early smaller, private jets also were fitted with turbojet engines, such as the early Learjets from the 1960s. Today, they will usually use more efficient turbofan engines.
Turbofan Engines
Turboprops and turbojets lead the way today amongst commercial aircraft and private jets. The basic operation of combusting fuel may have stayed the same over decades, but the technology used has continuously improved. The drive for greater efficiency in the aviation sector keeps this a constantly evolving area.
Final Thoughts
In a commercial operation, the savings provided by an excellent flight planning can mean the difference between a loss and a profit. Apart from assuring maximum safety, which is the absolute law in aviation, a good flight plan also brings more convenience to the aircraft operator. And in the corporate world where “time is money”, flight planning makes all the difference.
