Do Jet Engines Push or Pull An Aircraft?
Aircraft are a modern marvel, and the capability of many large jet aircraft to fly sometimes can seem like an impossible feat if you are not well-versed in the physics of flight. The ability of an aircraft to traverse long distances at great altitudes is made possible through the use of jet engines, those of which generate the thrust needed for lift through the combustion of fuel-and-air mixtures. For those who are more unfamiliar with jet engines, one may wonder how they exactly work, as well as if they push or pull the aircraft forward to achieve momentum and lift. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of jet engines, allowing you to have a better understanding of their various designs, operations, and more.
One of the first things that one should know is that there is more than one type of jet engine available, as turbojets, ramjets, and turbofans are all variations with distinct design choices. Despite their variations, all still follow the same basic process of compressing atmospheric air that is then mixed with fuel before being combusted. The resulting exhaust gasses are then harnessed to drive systems and produce the thrust necessary to achieve forward momentum. While the process of air intake, compression, and combustion often remains the same throughout each type, the actual use of exhaust gasses may differ based on the parts and components present within the engine, as well as its intended use.
As stated before, those who are not familiar with the physics of aircraft engines and heavier-than-air flight may be unfamiliar with how thrust and lift is achieved, and one question that often comes up is whether jet engines serve to push or pull the aircraft forward. While the answer that many people would give is that all jet engines push an aircraft forward, that is actually not always the case. Pusher engines do, however, play a significant role. For an example of a pusher jet engine, as a turbojet ignites fuel and air mixtures, the internal energy of fuel is transformed into kinetic energy in the form of the exhaust. As this pressurized exhaust escapes the engine through the exit nozzle, it will create thrust that serves to propel the aircraft forward. This is how many jet engines work, though there are some that feature different parts, leading to a diverse style of flight.
Turboprop engines are a fairly unique form of jet engine, and while featuring many of the jet engine parts found in other models, they also feature a propeller assembly as well. Generally, a turboprop consists of an intake, compressor, reduction gearbox, combustion chamber, turbine, and propelling nozzle. Like many other jet engines, air is first drawn into the compressor to increase its pressure, and fuel is then added before combustion. As gasses expand, they drive a turbine assembly that provides power to an electric generator and the compressor. Then, the gasses are expelled from the engine through the nozzle, but not at a velocity that increases thrust. Instead, a majority of the combustion energy is harnessed by aircraft propellers. As the propellers spin around, they will actually pull the aircraft forward instead of push it, the blades acting as screws that drive themselves through the atmospheric air.
Despite the turboprop engine being a jet engine that pulls the aircraft forward, it is the only type that does so. All of the other options work similarly to the turbojet engine, utilizing imparted gasses to generate the propulsion necessary to achieve ample forward momentum. Nevertheless, aircraft with propeller engines work in the same way, utilizing the power of combusted fuel and air mixtures to drive the propeller assembly for forward momentum. With these engines, the aircraft is generally always pulled forward, instead of pushed. That being said, there are special aircraft models with reverse propeller engines, and these will actually have the aircraft pushed forward. As this is a very special design, the standard is to have a forward facing propeller engine and assembly.
When it comes down to the actual performance differences between pusher and puller aircraft, it can be difficult to say which is better, as each provides varying capabilities to suit a number of applications. For example, turbofan engines are one of the most popular forms of jet engine, being found on countless general aviation models that serve for passenger transportation. While these aircraft may not be able to reach the same flight capabilities as military jets and other aerobatic aircraft, they are heavily relied on for their ample thrust and optimal fuel efficiency that makes them the best choice for when the desire is to conduct long-distance travel for commercial transportation. Because of this, the choice between various engine options should always be made based on the particular applications the aircraft will serve and the necessary capabilities needed to execute such operations.
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