What is fastest single engine airplane?

Answer 1

The North American X-15 was the fastest airplane and had a single rocket engine. The fastest air-breathing jet in the world was the SR-71. See also: http://www.edwards.af.mil/history/docs_html/aircraft/x-15.html http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/sr-71~1.htm Correction: the SR-71 was NOT a single-engine airplane by any definition. Just a little more info;

Although the X-15 was the fastest single engine rocket arcraft, the fastest single engine Jet aircraft was the F-106 Delta Dart made by Convair. It was aerodynamicly changed from the F-102 Delta Dagger to reduce drag at speeds faster than the speed of sound, along with other changes. "Single engine airplane" generally means one with a propeller. The fastest piston single is the Mooney Acclaim, although next week it could be something else. The fastest turboprop single is the EADS Socata TBM850. There are a few single-engine jets on the drawing board, but they're very small and they're not ready for type acceptance yet. Answer 2 for single engine propeller craft: The Lancair has had several speed demons for years. The newest addition is called the "Evolution". It is a single engine, single prop, pratt&whitney turboprop that has a speed of 338 KTAS (about 388 MPH) which blows the mooney acclaim (237 KTAS) and the Socata (320 KTAS) out of the air. But like the writer above says, next week it could be something else. The weird thing about the Lancair is not only is it the fastest prop plane I know of, but it is a KIT! During WW2, the P-51 Mustang had a maximum speed 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft. They were later used in air races and could attain higher speeds. In 1989, a highly modified F8F Bearcat(another WW2 fighter) reached a speed of 528 mph (Mach 0.71). The Republic XF-84H "Thunderscreech" was an experimental American-built turboprop aircraft based on the F-84F Thunderstreak. Its turbine engine drove the aircraft with a supersonic Propeller as well as its exhaust. Although only one ever flew, it reputedly was capable of setting the unofficial air speed record for propeller-driven craft at 670 mph (Mach 0.9). It is reported to have reached 623 mph (Mach 0.83), but this has been disputed