We use the word “thrust” for the force that drives the airplane forward against air resistance. Because the word applies equally to all kinds of propulsion, comparisons of the properties of jets and props may include some statement to the effect that props produce their thrust by accelerating a mass of air backward.
Why Jets Fly High and Fast
Peter Garrison explains how jets produce thrust and recips produce torque.
Key Takeaways:
- Jet engines produce thrust by internally accelerating air, becoming more efficient at high speeds and altitudes due to ram effect and reduced air resistance.
- Propellers generate thrust through aerodynamic interaction with the surrounding air, becoming less efficient as speed and altitude increase due to diminishing air density and tip speed limitations.
- Contrary to common intuition, aerodynamic drag analysis shows that a flat-nosed body with a rounded leading edge can exhibit surprisingly low drag, often outperforming bullet-shaped noses.
- Minimizing drag at subsonic speeds depends more on having gently tapering tails than long, swoopy noses.
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