Air Transportation in the 1970'S: Problems and Opportunities

摘要

An examination is made of the problems, and possible solutions, of commercial air transportation in the 1970's, with emphasis on subsonic passenger vehicles that will be in operation by 1975. Major air transportation problems in the 1970's will be centered in and around the terminal areas. Airport noise and the adverse reactions of adjacent communities are already serious. Economic comparisons of new aircraft types for domestic and international transport are made on the basis of a theoretical fare, i.e., the fare that an airline operator would have to charge to earn a given rate of return on his investment. Possible solutions include establishment of regional air centers away from metropolitan areas; VTOL vehicles for short-haul intercity, city-to-airport, and airport-to-airport transport (50-200 miles); air busses for medium-haul transport (500-2000 miles); the subsonic stretched jet and jumbo jet for domestic long-haul transport (2500 miles). The subsonics are competitive for international long-haul transport up to 4000 miles; the jumbo jet has a 6000-mile full-load range. Technological advances include the supercritical wing; economical methods of using titanium for lighter, safer airframes; and improved safety devices. (Author)