STOL Aircraft Flight and Landing Area Considerations

Current research to achieve a technically and socially acceptable short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft system to help alleviate present air transportation congestion is outlined considering both flight and runway elements. The aerodynamic jet-flap propulsive-lift concept is briefly reviewed with proposed turbofan powered-lift aircraft. Short, single direction, and possibly elevated runways are considered for use in high-land-cost urban areas. Aircraft capability is being developed to enable operations under high crosswind conditions, possibly through the use of crosswind landing gears or crosswind-reducing fences erected along the sides of the runway. Techniques are being developed to insure smooth wind flow over elevated STOL ports, such as on the roofs of buildings; and emergency arresting systems are under study to contain the aircraft on the runway. Heating and grooving of the runway has been explored analytically as a method of keeping the required runway length short by guaranteeing runway friction even under ice and snow conditions.