NEW SUBSONIC AIRCRAFT ARE VITAL TO U.S. ECONOMY

This article briefly discusses the finding by a committee of the National Research Council that more research to support improved subsonic aircraft is needed if U.S. companies are to keep their competitive edge in the global aeronautics market. An American firm, McDonnell Douglas, has been replaced by a European consortium, Airbus Industrie, as the second-largest maker of subsonic transport aircraft following U.S.-based Boeing Company. The committee found that considerable gains in performance and reduction in operating costs can be achieved through improvements in aerodynamics, control, materials, and structures, whether applied to the airframe or the engine. In some cases these advances will lead to reduced operating costs and hence impressive increases in profits. Other improvements have the potential to reduce maintenance. The committee also found that the need for short-haul aircraft, including helicopters, commuter aircraft and tiltrotor or other advanced concepts, will continue to increase.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00278432
• Corporate Authors:

  National Research Council

  2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20418
• Authors:
  • Hick, C
  • Pinholster, G
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 24-25
• Serial:
  • NEWSREPORT
  • Volume: 42
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: National Research Council
  • ISSN: 0027-8432

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Commuter aircraft; Economic factors; Helicopters; Market share; Research; Short haul; STOL aircraft; Subsonic aircraft
• Uncontrolled Terms: Economy
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Economics; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00625482
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 9 1993 12:00AM