Engines which propel aircraft via "jet propulsion", i.e. by expelling high-velocity gasses (usually primarily air) through propelling nozzles.
Jet engines are engines which propel aircraft by jet propulsion, ejecting high-velocity exhaust gasses through propelling nozzles to generate thrust that moves the aircraft. In common use, the term refers specifically to airbreathing jet engines, which require a continuous supply of outside air in order to function. The most-commonly-used types of jet engine are the turbofan (including the geared-turbofan) and turbojet; the ramjet and scramjet are much less common, and seen almost exclusively on supersonic and/or hypersonic aircraft. Other, rarer types include the pulsejet, which is unusual in that it uses pulsed (rather than continuous) combustion, and is generally only seen on unmanned aircraft, and the motorjet, a very early type of jet engine which is mainly of historical interest.
Jet engines are commonly found on transport-category airliners, as well as many corporate aircraft.
More information on jet engines can be found on Wikipedia.
Related Aircraft Propulsion Tags
- piston-engine for reciprocating engines, usually gasoline powered. Mainly used on light aircraft.
- turboprop for turbine engines which drive a propeller to generate thrust rather than using jet propulsion.
- turboshaft for turbine engines which are used to provide electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic power, rather than directly for propulsion.
- rocket for engines which carry an onboard supply of oxidizer in addition to fuel, and do not need to take in outside air.