Which type of aircraft engine is commonly used?

The turbofan engine is commonly used in commercial aviation due to its efficiency, performance, and relatively low noise characteristics. This type of engine employs a large fan at the front, which generates a thrust through the acceleration of air. Most modern commercial airliners utilize turbofan engines because they offer a good balance between fuel economy and power, making them suitable for the long-range flights typical of passenger air travel.

In addition to effectiveness, turbofan engines are designed to operate at high altitudes and can maintain higher speeds, which is essential for contemporary jet travel. Their design allows for a bypass ratio, meaning that a significant amount of air passes around the engine core rather than through it, increasing fuel efficiency further.

While piston engines are also used, particularly in smaller general aviation aircraft and some regional aircraft, they do not meet the power and efficiency demands of larger, heavier airliners. Jet engines encompass a broader category that includes turbofan designs, but they may not necessarily refer to the more efficient fan-based design that dominates commercial aviation. Gust engines, on the other hand, are not a recognized type of engine in aviation terminology, which renders them irrelevant in this context.