Like all other powered aircraft, helicopters rely on engines to generate the power they use to achieve flight. Helicopters use two different types of engines, reciprocating and turbine, to do so. Reciprocating engines, or piston engines, are typically used in smaller helicopters, such as trainers, because they are relatively simple to operate and inexpensive to maintain. Turbine engines are used in a wider variety of helicopters, and are more powerful. However, they are also more expensive to operate. In this blog, we’ll explore just how these two types of engines work.