Types of Air Transportation Based on Use and Propulsion System

Air transportation is a mode of transportation that operates in the air. Like land and sea transportation, air transportation also has various functions, depending on the type of air transportation itself.

Air transportation has various types, depending on the indicators of the type of air transportation itself. In this article, we will share the types of air transportation based on two different indicators, namely based on usage and the type of propulsion engine used.

Types of Air Transportation Based on Usage

Based on its usage, air transportation is divided into four types, namely:

Civil Passenger Aircraft

The first type of air transportation is civil passenger aircraft. As the name suggests, this aircraft is designed to transport passengers from the civilian sector, or non-military. This type of air transportation can accommodate up to 500 civilian passengers.

Experimental Aircraft

This type of air transportation is an aircraft that is currently being tested. This type of air transportation usually has a different shape and engine compared to conventional aircraft.

Military Aircraft

As the name implies, this type of transportation is commonly used for military purposes. This type of air transportation is further divided into three types: fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and training aircraft.

Cargo Aircraft

This type is designed for transporting goods. Also known as cargo aircraft, it can be used by both military and civilian parties. Specifically for the military, this aircraft is commonly used to transport vehicles, soldiers, and weapons.

Types of Air Transportation Based on Engine Type

Now let's move on to the other indicator. Like the previous indicator, the types of transportation based on their engines also consist of four types: piston, turbofan, turboprop, and rocket.

Piston

This type of air transportation has a capacity of 3 to 8 people. This aircraft is commonly used for short-distance flights and for specific purposes, such as aerial photography, aerial spraying, and flight training.

Turbofan

This type of air transportation is in the form of a jet aircraft with a turbofan as its propulsion engine. This aircraft operates by inhaling air, which is then compressed by a compressor and burned.

The result of this combustion will then spin a high-pressure turbine, which is then expanded by a low-pressure turbine. After that, combustion gases are formed that exit through the noise.

There are two forms of turbofan-powered aircraft, namely:

Airlines, which are turbofan-powered jet aircraft used for commercial purposes. With a capacity of 50 to 500 people, this aircraft can carry passengers for long-distance flights.
Executive Jet, which is a turbofan-powered jet aircraft used for certain circles. High-class business people usually use this type of aircraft. This aircraft can fly medium to long distances and can accommodate 4 to 16 passengers.

Turboprop

This type of aircraft has a capacity of 4 to 70 passengers and is only used for flights lasting 2 to 4 hours. The operating principle of this aircraft is similar to that of turbofan.

The difference lies in the fuel used in this aircraft, which is nickel alloy. In addition to this fuel, turboprop aircraft can also use other fuels that are resistant to high temperatures.

Rocket

This one is known as a spacecraft. The fuel for this aircraft is usually solid or liquid. Before becoming an air transportation mode, rockets were first used as weapons.

Those are the types of air transportation based on usage and their propulsion engines. Among these types of air transportation, which ones have you ever been on or would like to ride?

Author: Anggie Warsito

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