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

Everything other commenters said is correct, but there are exceptions like the DC-10 for airliners and McDonnell 119 for business jets