What Is the Difference Between a Jet and a Plane?
When someone is talking about aviation, they might get confused between what a jet and a plane are. These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two. As the top aircraft dispatching school in the nation, Sheffield School of Aeronautics is here to detail the difference between the two kinds of aircraft. This is valuable information for anyone that is interested in beginning a career in aviation or becoming a professional flight dispatcher. What is the purpose of a jet plane vs. a prop plane? Continue reading below to learn more from our airline dispatcher school.
Jet vs. Airplane: The Principal Differences
The key difference between a jet and an airplane is that to be a jet, a plane has to have a jet engine. Essentially, every jet is an airplane but not every airplane is a jet. A jet engine could either be a turbojet or turbofan, while a non-jet engine is usually a turboprop. Turboprop engines, or non-jet engines, are usually found on propeller planes. Propeller planes are usually used for short-haul flights, instructions, and other short flights. Propeller planes are also usually used on shorter flights because they require a shorter runway for takeoff and landing.
On the other hand, jets are more popular for commercial and longer flights because they fly faster, are more stable, and can fly longer distances more effectively. Below, we go into further detail about the utility of jets and what you can expect from one.
What Are Jets Used For?
The main difference between a jet and a plane has to do with what they are used for. Jets are used for fast transportation. Whether this is cargo or passengers, if a flight calls for a long distance between point A and point B, a jet plane is the most effective way to fly. Specifically, turboprop planes can only fly up to 1,500 miles, while a jet plane can fly over 5,000 miles. Aside from being able to reach longer distances, a jet could also handle adverse weather conditions much better than another kind of plane. Since propeller planes are usually smaller, they feel thunderstorms and turbulence way more than a larger plane like a jet.
However, it could be more practical to use a smaller prop airplane to complete a flight. This is true for airports or destinations that have grass runways.
More About Our Flight Dispatcher School
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is here to make sure that any prospective flight dispatcher receives the training and resources they need to become an FAA dispatcher. Whether it’s articles like this one that explain the differences between jets and planes, we also offer a wide selection of courses that could help you accelerate your career. Some of our flight dispatcher courses include international flight planning and flight weather planning courses. Contact our flight dispatcher school today to learn more about what we offer.
