Okay let’s face it, we all have some deep burning questions about what it’s like to be onboard a charter or personal private jet.
Most of us have driven a car or ridden a bicycle before, but the wonder that is modern air travel is an elusive concept. How do these heavy, metal aircraft and private jets actually move us effortlessly around the skies? Is it the same way a car accelerates on the ground or is there some mysterious air magic involved?
In this article, Raymart Aviation helps us understand some of the basics of private jet mechanics in a way that doesn’t require an engineering certificate.
DO PRIVATE JETS REVERSE?
Technically yes, a private jet can reverse itself using exhaust pushed out and to the side of the engines. This is known as reverse thrust and it is mostly used to assist in deceleration upon landing and not used when moving around an airfield or ramp. Turboprop engines are unique and are capable of reversing direction. These private jet engines also have gearing similar to a manual transmission car which allows the propeller blades to be rotated into a reverse thrust position. Private Jet engines, however, do not have a transmission. All the movement comes from the engine pushing air back, generating a forward thrust.
HOW DOES THE AIRCRAFT STAY IN THE SKY?
All aircraft of any size fly by moving air, either by propellers or turbines such as those in private jet engines. Air flows over the wings as the engine or propellers push the plane forward, rapidly creating a movement called lift. Lift generates an upward force when the pressure on the top of the wing is less than the pressure on the bottom of the wing. Lift overcomes the size and weight of the aircraft holding it up in the air. Since aircraft engines use air to generate thrust, they can only fly “so high” before the air is too thin to generate enough thrust to keep them aloft, this is known as the maximum altitude of the aircraft.
CAN A PRIVATE JET BRAKE MID-AIR?
Aircraft are able to slow or stop their forward motion in a number of ways. On the ground, reverse thrust in the engines assists in landing as do brakes in the wheels once they have touched down, slowing acceleration. These disc brakes in the wheels are similar to the ones in your car. They operate using calipers to squeeze pads against a metal disc to create friction which ultimately slows the aircraft to a halt. In the air, air brakes or speed brakes are devices on an aircraft that increase drag or provide resistance during landing to slow the aircraft down.
Still, have questions about how private jets work? Don’t stress, our experienced pilots, technicians, and maintenance professionals know all the “ins and outs” and will always get you safely to your next destination. Click here to enquire about a charter booking for a private jet and let us handle the details.