Optimum Conceptual Design of Single Engine Turbo-Prop Aircraft

Abstract

A single-engine turbo-prop aircraft capable of carrying about ten passengers is used both for business and for private purposes. This paper aims to discuss the aircraft configurations that are suitable for these two different purposes. The aircraft conceptual design method that incorporates a boundary element method is applied here to design the aircrafts of interest. The results suggested that the minimum direct operating cost aircraft suitable for the business purpose has smaller wing area, lighter fuel weight and higher wing aspect ratio as compared with the minimum take-off weight aircraft aimed for the private purpose.