AN ASSESSMENT OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR APPLICATION TO GENERAL AVIATION

ABSTRACT

A study directed toward the identification and evaluation of applicable advanced technologies for general aviation was performed. An extensive data base was generated through visits to 31 general aviation manufacturers and 3 NASA research centers as well as through an exhaustive literature search. An evaluation technique was developed which allowed candidate technologies to be ranked according to potential benefit. Finally, design studies were performed for a 6-passenger personal/business airplane and a 19-passenger commuter airplane. The General Aviation Synthesis Program (GASP) was utilized during the design studies for propulsion system and vehicle sizing as well as mission performance analysis. This paper discusses the formulation and results of the evaluation technique and the design studies for the two airplanes. The results of the technology evaluation indicated that propulsion, aerodynamic, and composite technologies are extremely attractive to general aviation. When these technologies were incorporated into the design synthesis of the two airplanes, higher wing loadings and smaller airplanes resulted. Fuel savings of 50% for the 6-passenger airplane and 40% for the commuter were realized.