It's time to reinvent the general aviation airplane

IT'S TIME TO REINVENT THEGENERAL AVIATION AIRPLANERobert StengelPrinceton UniversityCurrent designs for general aviation airplanes have becomeobsolete, and avenues for major redesign must be considered. Newdesigns should incorporate recent advances in electronics,aerodynamics, structures, materials, and propulsion. Futureairplanes should be optimized to operate satisfactorily in a positiveair traffic control environment, to afford safety and comfort forpoint-to-point transportation that is at least comparable to automotive travel, and to take advantage of automated manufacturingtechniques and high production rates. These requirements havebroad implications for airplane design and flying qualities, leading toa concept for the Modern Equipment General A__.viation (ME(3A)airplane. Synergistic improvements in design, production, andoperation can provide a much-needed "fresh start" for the generalaviation industry and the traveling public. Achieving these goalsrequires nothing less than the reinvention of the small airplane,providing new opportunities and requirements for research.Although the term "general aviation" applies to a wide range ofaircraft -- from single-engine, propeller-driven, single-seat planes tobusiness jets -- the focus of this presentation is at the low end of thescale. Except as noted, a small four-place airplane is taken as areference. Nevertheless, the proposed philosophy for new airplanedesign applies across the entire spectrum of general aviation.