THE CHANGING HORIZONS FOR TECHNICAL PROGRESS IN AIR TRANSPORTATION

Some of the most promising potential technological developments in the air transportation field are discussed, including improvements in airframe design, aircraft engines, and active controls hardware. Major obstacles to these relatively short term developments are considered. Special attention is given to the problem of fuel economy. Technologies requiring a longer time-scale for reserch and development, including advanced turboprop engines, all-wing concepts, and laminar flow control, are outlined. The potential impact of hydrogen-based power plants on the development of super- and hypersonic transports is examined.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • From the Place of Aviation in Society; Proceedings of the 15th Anglo-American Aeronautical Conference, London, England, 31 May-2 June 1977 9A77-41926 19-03).
• Corporate Authors:

  Royal Aeronautical Society

  4 Hamilton Place
  London S1V 0BQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Frisbee, L E
  • HOPPS, R H
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: 23 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Aircraft; Development; Engines; Fuel consumption; Hypersonic aircraft; Laminar flow; Research; Supersonic transport planes; Technological forecasting; Turboprop engines; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft design; Aircraft engines; Research and development
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Design; Energy; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00180176
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 27 1978 12:00AM