Modern turbofan engines generate thrust through a four-step process: a large fan "sucks" in massive amounts of air, a portion of which is then "squeezed" by compressors.
This compressed air is mixed with fuel and "burned" in the combustor, generating energy that spins turbines and subsequently powers the fan and compressors, sustaining the continuous cycle.
A significant part of the thrust (up to 80%) comes from the air that bypasses the engine's core and is accelerated ("blown") out, contributing to the engine's efficiency, lower noise, and reduced emissions.
Take a close look at the inner workings of a modern turbofan engine and you’ll discover a marvelous network of parts that puts Newton’s second law of motion to work with elegance and surprising simplicity, allowing today’s jets to go farther on less fuel while making less noise and emitting lower emissions. Here’s how a turbofan works:
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