eli5: Why do small jet aircraft, like regional jets and private jets, have engines on the rear, but larger jet planes have engines on the wings?

Question

eli5: Why do small jet aircraft, like regional jets and private jets, have engines on the rear, but larger jet planes have engines on the wings?

In: 312

Answer 1

It may have to do with the weight of the engine. A plane is an engineering marvel that is made to propel through the air and carry pilots, objects, and sometimes passengers, and itself. A small plane balances in the air differently than a large plane. You would have to look at the specific plane and think about balance to ascertain the position of the component parts. Obviously the way the plane is flown impacts the balance, and pilots must be aware of conditions of weather and weight of the souls on board.