Technology Development for Runway Independent Aircraft

Advanced, powered-lift aircraft concepts were applied to commercial airline scenarios to define configurations that could expand airport capacity. The operational concept examined takes advantage of a short, rolling takeoff with a vertical landing at the destination, referred to as Extremely Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing, or ESTOVL, operation. These powered-lift Runway Independent Aircraft (RIA), operating from available stub runways at most major airports, can off-load a large portion of the short-haul passenger traffic currently served by small, fixed-wing aircraft, thereby opening up those runway slots for more high-capacity jet aircraft. Studies have shown this can significantly increase airport passenger capacity and reduce delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). Several concepts for Runway Independent Aircraft were evaluated under a 2002 National Rotorcraft Technology Center / Rotorcraft Industry Technology Association (NRTC/RITA) study. Each team member selected a concept and applicable technology for a 2010 time frame, evaluated the RIA concept in an ESTOVL operation, and estimated its production and operating costs. FAA Category A levels of safety were imposed on the takeoff and landing profiles. Critical field lengths were determined in accordance with FAA regulations. All concepts were designed for cruise speeds of over 300 KTAS and advanced technology was applied to structure, rotors and engines to reduce size, weight and operating cost. The final configurations were chosen for minimum operating cost, in terms of dollars per available seat-mile ($/ASM). Final operating costs of the vertical lift RIA compare favorably to current turboprop aircraft. These futuristic solutions require the development of many advanced technologies to become production ready.