Jet planes fly even though they are heavy. Jet engines give the plane thrust. Thrust moves the plane through the air. Wings provide lift. Their shape makes the air push the plane up. The faster the engine moves the plane, the more the air pushes up!
A jet plane must gain speed to take off.
Pay attention the next time you are near a jet plane. Look at its engines and wings. Which is bigger, the front or the back of the engine? How is the top of the wing shaped differently than the bottom?
Engines take in air through a wide, open front. They add fuel to the air and burn it. The heated air escapes through the smaller back of the engine. This moves the plane forward.
A wing’s shape makes air go fast on top. Air moves slowly underneath. This causes lift.
The shape of the wings and engines are important in controlling how a jet plane flies.
