The infrared radiation characteristics of exhaust plume from a certain type of jet engine were measured by using mid-wave and long wave infrared thermal imagers. The radiation intensity of the exhaust plume in mid-wave and long wave bands was obtained. The result showed that both mid-wave and long wave exhaust plume observed from aircraft tail exhibited symmetrical distribution. The greatest radiation intensity and area of the former were 4.6 and 2.1 times as those of the latter respectively. The greatest radiation intensity, plume length and area of mid-wave infrared plume observed from the side of aircraft were 2.2, 3.8 and 5.7 times as those of long wave infrared plume respectively. The advantages of the former were more obvious. In addition, because of the influence of high temperature heating of plume, the temperature of the air around plume rises significantly. Its radiation intensity was higher than that of other background. The measurement results obtained were of referential value to the simulation and calculation of infrared radiation characteristics of aircraft plume.