A Centennial Review of Sub-sonic Transport Aircraft

Abstract

From Wright Brothers 1903 to present day 2003, aeronautical technology has made a profound progress. This paper demonstrates the outcome of this progress in weight, wing area, and engine thrust in three categories of transport aircraft of short to long range, regional jets, and turbo-prop commuter aircraft. Also the paper includes those aircraft with distinct jump in aeronautical technology. Few of the technologies that have contributed to this progress are elaborated too. An average of four to three times progress in aerodynamic sciences, three to four times in weight reduction for material science, and system design, and two to one and half times progress in propulsion of turbo-fan, and turbo-prop engines are concluded.