Why are there so many plane designs (engines)

[howard555]

It seems one or the other would be the safest, most efficient, etc.

But some have engines on the tail, some have engines mounted on the body, and we know how the Concorde ended. All the designs out there can't all be equal in safety.

[Oakley7677]

Just like with cars, they all have a different purpose, and are better at some things than the other. Also, they are all safe. If they were unsafe due to design, they would not be flying.

[jetgraphics]

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/bga.html

[2x3x29x41]

Cessna 172
F-15
Gulfstream III
B-52
737
A-10
C-130

Each of those seven aircraft are really good at doing certain things - things at which the other six all suck. And there are hundreds of different mission profiles that none of those aircraft can do properly.

[BoSox 15]

Originally Posted by howard555

But some have engines on the tail, some have engines mounted on the body, and we know how the Concorde ended. All the designs out there can't all be equal in safety.

Concorde didn't "end" because of where the wings were on the body or the design of the engines. Concorde did what it was designed to do - fly at twice the speed of sound.

Concorde was at or nearing end of economic viability, the incident was the final nail in the coffin.

I'm just not sure the purpose of this thread.

[webster]

My favorite looking plane is the Britten Norman Trilander. Used on the Channel Islands it was perfect for when the runways were shorter than they are now and they were low strength. Alderney Airport has regular airline service; two of its three runways are grass.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-39491787