New Trends in Designing Markets, Configurations, and Materials for Very Light Jet Aircrafts

This paper reviews recent advances and explores new trends in designing configuration and materials for application in very light jet (VLJ) aircrafts. Current technical information of the light jet aircraft in the market have been studied for competitor analysis purpose; the review of market design considers maximum take-off weight (MTOW), empty weight (WE), maximum cruise speed (V-cr.max), direct operating cost (DOC), and aircraft price. Recent trends in aircraft configurations have been reviewed with particular reference to both conventional and unconventional designs. The existing technology of lightweight aerospace materials has been reviewed and the recommendations have been made for applications of composite and appropriate advanced materials in new VLJ aircrafts. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000125. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.