Does a propeller pull itself through the air like a screw pulls itself into wood, or does it push itself forward by blowing air backward? Why do some aircraft use propellers and others use fans? And why are fans placed in a duct, but not propellers? These are some of the questions we’ll answer in this video by exploring the differences between propellers and fans. Follow me on Instagram: Thumbnail attribution (only the propeller) Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (propeller)-author Alan Wilson ( ) removed background IMAGE ATTRIBUTION Turbofan engine-author Ryo Chijiiwa ( ) crop+zoom C-160 Transall with propeller tip vortex-author Carl von Einem ( ) crop+zoom Blade tip vortices-source ( ) no changes An animation of a turbofan engine-author Richard Wheeler (Zephyris) ( ) no changes Edgley Optica-author Flickr user Mick ( ) crop+zoom QantasLink (VH-QOW) Bombardier Dash 8-author Bidgee ( ) crop+zoom Safran Open Rotor-author Tiraden ( ) crop+zoom Airbus A-319 fans-author kov-A-c ( ) no changes turbofan blades-author Ethan ( ) crop+zoom High bypass turbofan-source ( ) red arrow overlaid Britten-Norman BN-2A-3 Islander-author Steve Fitzgerald ( ) crop+zoom Chapters: 0:24 A Screw or a Fan? 1:30 Isn’t it all just Newton’s Third Law of Motion? 3:04 Why Propellers Need Large Diameters 3:42 Why Not Fans Instead? 5:17 Pressure Ratios 6:05 Static Thrust vs Efficient Cruise Speed 7:11 Fan Blades vs Propeller Blades 7:55 Why then no Ducted Fans on Light Aircraft? 8:38 What About Turboprop Aircraft?