What are the three main propulsion systems used in flight?
There are three basic types of flight vehicle-propulsion systems: piston engines (or reciprocating engines), turbine engines (true-jet, turboprop, and turboshaft engines), and rocket engines (see airplane: Propulsion systems; rocket). Different propulsion systems generate thrust in slightly different ways. We will discuss four principal propulsion systems: the propeller, the turbine (or jet) engine, the ramjet, and the rocket.