Jet engines, essential in aviation, come in various types, each suited for
specific flight needs. Turbojet engines are the simplest, with an intake,
compressor, combustion chamber, turbine, and tail nozzle. Known for their
high thrust and simplicity, they perform well at high speeds but are noisy and
less efficient at subsonic speeds.
By adding a fan and bypass ducts, turbofan engines—which are frequently
seen in commercial aircraft—direct some intake air around the core. At
subsonic speeds, this design increases fuel efficiency while lowering noise.
Nevertheless, the extra parts increase the weight of turbofans and restrict
their ability to travel at supersonic speeds.
For lower-speed aircraft, such as transport planes, turboprop engines—which
combine a turbine with a propeller—are fuel-efficient and perfect. However,
propeller limits limit their capability, limiting them to speeds under 900 km/h.
Helicopter-specific turboshaft engines, which transform turbine energy into
rotor power instead of thrust, are appropriate for rotary-wing flight but
unsuitable for high-speed fixed-wing aircraft.
Without a compressor or turbine, ramjet engines are perfect for supersonic
applications since they rely on the incoming air compression caused by
aircraft speed. They don't function well at low speeds and need an extra boost
to start. Pulsejets, which are mostly employed in missiles, have a basic
combustion chamber and intake valve and provide sporadic thrust with a lot
of noise.
From turbojets for quick travel to turbofans for commercial flights, from
turboprops and turboshafts for economy and agility to ramjets and pulsejets
for supersonic and experimental uses, each engine type meets distinct needs
for speed, efficiency, and noise.
