Propulsion is a key element for the lift and propulsion of aircraft, although each type and use requires specific specifications.
When people talk about air propulsion, the first thing that comes to mind is an airplane. propeller. In fact, it is the most commonly used icon to represent it. However, it is much more than that.
A propulsion system or powertrain is the system used by any vehicle to move. In aeronautics, it is also a key element in lift. It includes various components that vary depending on the type of aircraft: engine, transmission system, differentials, wheels, propellers, tracks, batteries, fuel cells, etc. Even in the early days of aeronautics, the manual force used by the crew members themselves to move the propeller of hot air balloons was part of the propulsion system.
It is a vast and complex world that has been evolving since the origins of aeronautics and continues to do so today. Today, the efficiency gains and the search for a cleaner propulsion are at the heart of its development.
We have carried out a infographics which provides a brief overview of some basic aspects of air propulsion and a review of some of the most common systems used in aeronautics today.
