What are the four stages of a basic jet engine cycle?

• A. Inlet, compression, combustion, discharge
• B. Intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust
• C. Intake, compression, expansion, exhaust
• D. Airflow, compression, combustion, exhaust

Answer: (B)

Air must pass through four successive stages to generate thrust in a basic jet engine: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. The air is drawn in through the intake, then compressed to higher pressure by the compressor. Fuel is injected and burned in the combustor at roughly constant pressure, adding energy to the flow. The hot gases then expand and are expelled through the exhaust, producing thrust. This sequence uses standard aviation terms: intake (or inlet), compression, combustion, and exhaust. Terms like discharge or expansion aren’t the conventional way to name the final stage in this simple description, and airflow isn’t the usual label for the first stage.