The Continuous Open Access Special Issue "Aircraft Design" in the Journal "Aerospace" at MDPI

Abstract

Aircraft design is, as we know, the first fascinating step in the life of an aircraft, where visions are converted into reality.

In a practical sense, aircraft design supplies the geometrical description of the aircraft. Traditionally, the output is a three-view drawing and a list of aircraft parameters. Today, the output may also be an electronic 3D model. In the case of civil aircraft, a fuselage cross-section and a cabin layout are provided in addition.

In an abstract sense, aircraft design determines the design parameters that meet the requirements and constraints and that optimize the design objectives. The fundamental requirements for civil aviation are payload and range. Many constraints come from certification rules demanding safety. The objectives are often of a financial nature, such as achieving the lowest operating costs. Aircraft design always strives for the best compromise among conflicting issues.

The design synthesis of an aircraft goes from the conceptual design to the detailed design. Frequently, expert knowledge is needed more than computing power. The typical work involves statistics, the application of inverse methods, and the use of optimization algorithms. Proposed designs are analyzed with respect to aerodynamics (drag), structure (mass), performance, stability and control, and aeroelasticity, to name just a few. A modern aircraft is a complex, computer-controlled combination of its structure, engines, and systems. Passengers demand high comfort at low fares, society demands environmentally friendly aircraft, and investors demand a profitable asset.

Overall aircraft design (OAD) comprises all aircraft types in civil and military use and considers all major aircraft components (wing, fuselage, tail, undercarriage), as well as the integration of engines and systems. The aircraft is seen as part of the air transport system and beyond, contributing to multimodal transport. Aircraft design applies the different aerospace sciences and considers the aircraft during its whole life cycle. Authors from all economic sectors (private, public, civic, and general public) are invited to submit papers to this Special Issue (SI). Education and training in aircraft design are considered as important as research in the field.

The SI can be a home for those active in the European Workshop on Aircraft Design Education (EWADE) or the Symposium on Collaboration in Aircraft Design (SCAD), both independent activities under the CEAS Technical Committee Aircraft Design (TCAD). Please see http://AircraftDesign.org and http://journal.AircraftDesign.org for details. Prof. em. Egbert Torenbeek served as Honorary Guest Editor for this Special Issue "Aircraft Design" from 2020 to 2022. He resigned from all his duties. Please read about his achievements on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egbert_Torenbeek.

Following the successful initial Special Issue on "Aircraft Design (SI-1/2017)", the SI was relaunched with "Aircraft Design (SI-2/2020)" and continued from "Aircraft Design (SI-3/2021)" to the current Special Issue.

The editorial was published on 14 Jan 2020 as https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace7010005. It gives the background of publishing in Aircraft Design and gives hints to manuscript submission in Appendix A.

Activities in the past have shown that aircraft design may be a field too small to justify its own (subscription-based) journal. A continuous open access Special Issue may fill this gap. As such, the Special Issue "Aircraft Design" can be a home for all those working in the field who regret the absence of an aircraft design journal.

The Special Issue "Aircraft Design" is open to the full range of article types. It is a place to discuss "hot topics" (fuel-cell-powered aircraft, aircraft designed for contrail avoidance, aircraft with truss-braced wings, etc.). The classic topics in aircraft design remain as follows: => Innovative aircraft concepts; => Methodologies and tools for aircraft design and optimization; => Reference aircraft designs and case studies with data sets.

It is up to us as authors to shape the Special Issue "Aircraft Design" according to our interests through the manuscripts we submit. Prof. Dr. Dieter Scholz, Guest Editor.