Active Control Technology concepts hold considerable promise of improved efficiency for commercial transports. The aplication of these control concepts to current transport airplanes has typically been non-design impacting - that is, the design proceeded in a conventional manner. Realization of the potential of ACT will require a departure from this design procedure, requiring new approaches to the airplane design process.
The paper briefly describes ACT and reviews existing transport airplane configurations to point out that ACT is not particularly new or novel. Following an examination of where the payoffs are for a new airplane - considering the sensitivity to design speed, range, configuration, and size - the risks associated with ACT implementation are reviewed.
The impact of ACT on the transport airplane design cycle is discussed to illustrate the challenges that lie ahead. An initial commercial application strategy is then proposed for incorporation of each of the specific ACT concepts.
The user of a commercial transport views ACT from a different point of view. This point of view and the impact on certification are briefly discussed, recognizing some of today's difficulties and pointing out the probable benefits available through new technology.