Why Do Small Planes Have Engines In Front?

Small aircraft engines are usually placed under the wings or in the front of the fuselage. Engine placement selection; aerodynamics, weight distribution, stability, maintenance and cost depends on various factors such as Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, but it’s hard to say which one is better.

While we can’t choose which is better, we can explain why these engine placements are different. After reading our article, why small aircraft engines are mostly at the front and not on the wings You can be sure that you will understand better.

Let’s start with the most common first: Airplanes with the engine on the wing

Wing-mounted engines, usually in the thruster assembly (propeller propels aircraft forward) are engines placed in compartments under the wing. These types of engines Boeing We see it on large airplanes. Wing-mounted engines have several advantages:

• Lower friction and noise in the propeller
• Better vision for the pilot
• Lower torque and gyroscopic effects from propeller reducing rudder input

However, wing-mounted engines also have disadvantages. For example:

• More difficult access and maintenance
• Less space for fuel tanks and cargo in the wings
• Higher risk of blade bending and flutter from engine weight and vibration
• In case of engine failure in twin-engine aircraft, asymmetrical thrust, inability to control

There are other less common engine layouts for small aircraft. An example of these are engines fitted to the rear of the fuselage or to a vertical stabilizer.

This is a rare engine layout for small airplanes, but Embraer ERJ family or Aviafiber Canard 2FL They can be seen on some regional jets or gliders, such as Tail-mounted engines have some advantages over front-mounted and wing-mounted engines. For example:

• Better balance of weight distribution
• Better vision for the pilot
• from FOD (foreign matter damage) better protection
• Better airflow over the wing (aerodynamics)
• Less impact of engine noise on the cabin

The disadvantages of stern-mounted engines are:

• In case of engine failure in twin-engine aircraft, asymmetrical thrust, inability to control
• More difficult access and maintenance to the engine
• Higher risk of tail hitting the ground on landing or takeoff
• Higher center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia affecting stability and maneuverability
• Higher risk of a possible fire spreading from the engine to the fuselage or wing

Our last and main model: Front-engined airplanes

Front-mounted engines, usually in a tractor assembly (propeller pulls aircraft forward) are the engines mounted on the front of the fuselage. As an example of this Cessna 172, Piper PA-28, Cirrus Vision Jet or Pilatus PC-12 We can give small single-engine or twin-engine aircraft such as The advantages of front-mounted engines are:

• Less friction and noise from the propeller
• Easier access to engine and maintenance
• Lower moment of inertia increasing stability and maneuverability
• Fuel tanks in the wings and more space for cargo inside the aircraft
• No risk of asymmetrical thrust in case of engine failure
• Uncomplicated controls that require less rudder input

Front-mounted engines also have some disadvantages:

• Poor vision for the pilot
• Higher risk of foreign object damage (FOD) from debris on the track

In conclusion; why are the engines mostly in the front on small planes?

As the most obvious reason, we can show the maneuverability that we have listed in the advantages items. The fact that the aircraft is light and its wing has an oval design also plays a big role in this, of course, but the weight of the engine is on the fuselage, not on the wings, balances the center of gravity.

Therefore, although they cannot fly long distances, these planes in short distances, excellent maneuverability they have. You may have noticed that this type of aircraft is mostly used for short-haul touristic trips, field spraying/irrigation trips that require quick maneuvers and not very long flight distances.