Sage-Tips

What is the difference between jet and propeller?

A jet engine develops thrust by accelerating a relatively small mass of air to very high velocity, as opposed to a propeller, which develops thrust by accelerating a much larger mass of air to a much slower velocity.

What does the FAA consider a complex aircraft?

A complex airplane is an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller. In lieu of a controllable pitch propeller, the aircraft could also have an engine control system consisting of a digital computer and associated accessories for controlling the engine and the propeller.

Why do airlines still use prop planes?

Originally Answered: Why do some planes still use propeller engines, not jets? Turboprops are more fuel efficient than jets. So, if you don’t need max speed, use a prop. Airlines have other expenses besides fuel, which cost more per hour than the fuel, so they run jets to minimize the non-fuel expenses.

Are prop planes more fuel efficient than jets?

Today’s turboprop airliners have better fuel-efficiency than current jet airliners, in part because of their propellers and turbines that are more efficient than those of the 1950s-era piston-powered airliners.

Is a propeller-driven airplane more efficient than a jet?

Although the propeller-driven airplane is not nearly as efficient as the jet, particularly at the higher altitudes and cruising speeds required in modern aviation, one of the few advantages the propeller-driven airplane has over the jet is that maximum thrust is available almost at the start of the takeoff roll.

Do planes use AVGAS or octane?

Jet aircraft and turbine-powered, propeller aircraft do not use avgas, but instead use fuels very similar to kerosene, which does not contain a lead additive. Why is octane so important? Octane is a measure of the performance of a fuel as it burns in an engine combustion chamber.

What is the purpose of a Fanjet engine?

Initial thrust output of the jet engine on takeoff is relatively lower and does not reach peak efficiency until the higher speeds. The fanjet or turbofan engine was developed to help compensate for this problem and is, in effect, a compromise between the pure jet engine (turbojet) and the propeller engine.

What regulations apply to aircraft that use leaded fuel?

At present, there are no regulations that apply to emissions from aircraft that use leaded fuel. However, FAA enforces existing emission standards for commercial jet aircraft and engines through the certification process of engines.