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Four types of aircraft gas turbine engines

Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP) practice question 9 of 13 on Turbine Engines. ACS element AM.III.B.K1 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONWhich four types of gas turbine engines are used to propel and power aircraft?

  1. ATurbofan, turboprop, turboshaft, and ramjet engines
  2. BTurbofan, turboprop, turbojet, and pulse jet types
  3. CTurbofan, turboprop, turboshaft, and turbojet
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft, and turbojet

  • A — incorrect A ramjet is grouped with pulse jets as an engine with very little to no use in aircraft today, and it is not one of the four gas turbine types.
  • B — incorrect The pulse jet is not a gas turbine type in this grouping, and leaving out the turboshaft omits the engine that drives helicopter transmissions and APUs.
  • C — correct These are the four types named as the gas turbine engines used to propel and power aircraft.

BACKGROUND

A gas turbine engine differs from a reciprocating engine in that separate sections handle intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust, so all functions occur simultaneously and without interruption. A typical gas turbine engine consists of an air inlet, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, an exhaust section, an accessory section, and the systems needed for starting, lubrication, fuel supply, and auxiliary purposes. "Turbojet" was once the term for any gas turbine engine used in aircraft, but as the technology evolved the other types were developed and largely replaced the pure turbojet. The turbojet has noise and fuel consumption problems in the speed range airliners fly, near .8 Mach, so its use is now very limited. Almost all airliner-type aircraft use a turbofan instead.

STUDY TIP

Memorize the four types as a set and tie each one to what it drives: a fan, a propeller, a shaft, or a jet nozzle. Remember that "turbojet" is the old blanket term, not a fifth category.

KEY POINTS

  • The four aircraft gas turbine types are turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft, and turbojet.
  • "Turbojet" was formerly used for any aircraft gas turbine engine.
  • Pure turbojet use is now very limited because of noise and fuel consumption near .8 Mach.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-32B ch01 "Gas Turbine Engines, Types & Construction"
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MORE ON TURBINE ENGINES

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-32B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, and 14 CFR part 43. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.