Airplanes are essential for commerce and carrying people over a long distance in a relatively short amount of time. Aircraft come in many varieties and sizes to accommodate varying numbers of passengers and the length needed to travel. Here are four of these varieties of aircraft. 

1. Single Engine

Single-engine aircraft Danbury CT have anywhere from two to six seats and are commonly used in flight training schools due to their less complicated flight control systems and the fact that they are less expensive than multi-engine planes. Most single-engine planes can fly at least 500 nautical miles at a time, with some going up to 1500 nautical miles. Types of single-engine planes are the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, Cessna 172, and Piper M350. 

2. Turboprop

Turboprop aircraft are powered by two gas turbine engines that burn less fuel than a jet engine, making these planes more fuel-efficient and less expensive to operate. Turboprops can fly just as high as a standard jet plane, but fly slightly slower with a maximum recommended speed of 450 miles per hour. 

3. Cargo

Cargo planes are large planes that carry freight instead of passengers. The doors of these aircraft are wider than those of passenger planes to accommodate large shipments of goods entering and exiting the aircraft. The only people that travel on cargo jets are those required for its necessary operation, such as pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers. Types of cargo planes include the Boeing 737 and Airbus 340.

4. Jumbo

Jumbo jets are wide-body aircraft that carry a large number of people over a long distance. Most jumbo jets can travel 9,500 miles before needing to stop and refuel. Some types of jumbo aircraft include the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and Boeing 747.

Try to identify one of these aircraft types the next time you spot a plane in the sky.