So I know the simplified theory and basic principles here, Newton’s 3rd law, air compression and sudden exhaust and all, but it boggles me how this principle can lift, even move, 350 tons flying objects.
I get how it works but I need some kind of metaphor to understand and wrap my mind around the forces and amount of thrust at play here
In: Engineering
All of these answers about how the wings lift the airplane are 100% correct. However, they don’t really address the fact that turbomachinery is just insanely powerful for its size compared to anything else we’re used to dealing with on a daily basis. Turbine engines spin really, really, really fast, convert a LOT of fuel into a LOT of heat very quickly, and move a LOT of air. If you’ve ever been in the presence of any kind of operating turbine engine, even at idle, they are absolutely terrifying.
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