Air Transportation in the 1970s : Problems and Opportunities.

An examination of the problems of commercial air transportation in the 1970s, with emphasis on subsonic passenger vehicles that will be in operation by 1975. Major air transportation problems in the 1970s will be concentrated in and around the terminals. Airport noise and the adverse reactions of adjacent communities are already serious. Economic comparisons of new aircraft types for domestic and international transport are made on the basis of a theoretical fare--i.e., the fare that an airline operator would have to charge to earn a given rate of return on his investment. Possible solutions include establishment of regional air centers away from metropolitan areas; VTOL vehicles for short-haul intercity, city-to-airport, and airport-to-airport transport (50-200 miles); air buses for medium-haul transport (500-2,000 miles); the subsonic stretched jet and jumbo jet for domestic long-haul transport (2, 500 miles). The subsonics are competitive for international long-haul transport up to 4,000 miles; the jumbo jet has a 6,000-mile full-load range. Technological advances include the supercritical wing; economical methods of using titanium for lighter, safer airframes; and improved safety devices. 38 pp.