The Estimation of Civil Aircraft Operating Costs: The Influence of Range, Speed and Lift‐Drag Ratio on the Operating Costs of a Civil Aircraft

Abstract

EXISTING methods for the estimation of the direct operating costs of civil aircraft are complicated and their application in project or assessment work is often tedious and protracted. To enable rapid comparisons to be made a simplified formula has been derived. By linking this formula with the well‐known Breguet formula for the range of a jet propelled aircraft, cruising at constant speed and lift‐drag ratio, a graphical presentation of the influence of various design parameters on operating costs is possible. To enable the influence of all the basic design factors to be shown in chart form, it is convenient to divide the total direct costs into those related to fuel costs and those others such as maintenance, depreciation, crew costs, etc.

Citation

Thorne, R.G. (1957), "The Estimation of Civil Aircraft Operating Costs: The Influence of Range, Speed and Lift‐Drag Ratio on the Operating Costs of a Civil Aircraft", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 56-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb032796