This paper addresses the three questions: “Is V/STOL capability economically viable for business aircraft, and if so, how does the viability depend on the aircraft concept?”; “How is a V/STOL concept chosen to match a given mission, and what are some of the promising V/STOL concepts for future business aircraft?”; and “What unique operational requirements are likely to be imposed on users of future V/STOL business aircraft?”
A cost-benefit analysis is presented which indicates that a VTOL business aircraft would be more viable economically than a contemporary turbine-powered business aircraft. The combinations of traveler's time value and trip distance for which each aircraft dominates is shown. A discussion is presented on the significance of disc loading as it relates to V/STOL concept application. Preliminary design configuration studies for three different business-aircraft-sized V/STOLs, using three concepts covering a range of disc loading, are presented as examples. A discussion of operational aspects of interest to future users of V/STOL business aircraft by a NASA test pilot with VTOL research aircraft experience is centered around the requirements for routine IFR terminal area operations.
Citation: Feistel, T., Stewart, E., Gerdes, R., and Smith, K., "A Look at V/STOL for Business Aircraft," SAE Technical Paper 720334, 1972, https://doi.org/10.4271/720334. Download Citation
Author(s):
T. W. Feistel, E. C. Stewart, R. M. Gerdes, K. R. Smith
Affiliated:
Ames Research Center, NASA
Pages: 14
Event:
National Business Aircraft Meeting and Engineering Display
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
SAE 1972 Transactions-V81-A
Related Topics:
Business and general aviation aircraft
Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
Aircraft
Flight tests
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