Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-r6qrq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T11:44:57.743Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A methodology for the assessment of unit cost drivers for commercial aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

N. L. Tirovolis  and
V. C. Serghides
N. L. Tirovolis
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College, London, UK
V. C. Serghides
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College, London, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Presented in this paper are the prerequisite steps in a methodology for the identification and assessment of unit cost drivers for use in the development of a new design-oriented unit cost estimation methodology for large commercial jet aircraft with minimum seating capacity of 100 passengers. The work presented here focuses on unit cost, which is a significant element of the total aircraft cost and for the initial aircraft design process in particular. The methodology aims to investigate how aircraft design properties could influence cost. Cost estimation relationships, containing a wide range of the most highly correlated parameters, are retrieved from detailed regression analysis conducted on two different aircraft generation categories. Since the methodology is based on actual cost and technical data, it is accurate both in terms of predicting the aircraft unit cost or conducting cost-comparative studies between different aircraft concepts. The emphasis in this paper is mainly on the development approach and parameter assessments, adopted towards the final unit cost estimation methodology.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 110 , Issue 1105 , March 2006 , pp. 173 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2006 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Nasa, Cost Estimating Handbook, Final Production Copy, April 2002.Google Scholar
2. Roskam, J., Airplane cost estimation: design, development, manufacturing and operating (Part VIII), Roskam Aviation and Engineering Corporation, 1990.Google Scholar
3. Courtney, A.L., Some factors affecting fares, Aeronaut J, November 1965, 69, (659), pp 727–732, Cheap short-range air transport – A Symposium.Google Scholar
4. Lee, G.H., Possibilities of cost reduction with all-wing aircraft, Aeronaut J, November 1965, 69, (659), pp 744–749, Cheap short-range air transport – A Symposium.Google Scholar
5. Stewart, D.J. and Campion, B.S., New technology in commercial aircraft design for minimum operating cost, J Aircr, 1980, 17, (5), pp 365–371, Article Numb 79-0690R.Google Scholar
6. Ross, T.E. and Crossley, W.A., Method to assess commercial aircraft technologies, J Aircr, July-August 2000, 37, (4).Google Scholar
7. Jensen, S.C., Rettie, I.H. and Barber, E.A., Role of figures of merit in design optimization and technology assessment, February 1981, J Aircr, 18, AIAA 79-0234R.Google Scholar
8. Johnson, V.S., Minimizing life cycle cost for subsonic commercial aircraft, J Aircr, February 1990, 27, (2), pp 139–139.Google Scholar
9. Anderson, J.L., Price-weight relationships of general aviation, helicopters, transport aircraft and engines, May 1981, For Presentation at the 40th Annual Conference of the Society of Allied Weight Engineers (SAWE), Ohio, USA.Google Scholar
10. Hair, J., Anderson, R., Tatham, R. and Black, W., Multivariate Data Analysis, Prentice Hall, 5th ed.Google Scholar
11. Jane’s, All The World’s Aircraft, Jane’s Series, 1980-2004, All Volumes 1980–2004.Google Scholar
12. Glantz, S. and Slinker, B., Primer of Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance, McGraw-Hill, 1990, international edition.Google Scholar
13. Marquardt, D., An algorithm for least-squares estimation of nonlinear parameters, J Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, June 1963, 11, (2), pp 431–431.Google Scholar
14. Raymer, D.P., Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, AIAA Educational Series, 1992, 2nd ed.Google Scholar
15. DoD, Parametric Estimation Handbook, Department of Defence USA, 1999.Google Scholar
16. Dodson, E.N., Life Cycle Cost Analysis: Concepts and Procedures, AGARD (NATO), 1979, LS-100: Methodology for Control of Life Cycle Costs for Avionics Systems.Google Scholar
17. Klion, J. and Coppola, A., recent experience in the development and application of LCC models, AGARD (NATO), 1979, LS-100:Methodology for control of life cycle costs for avionics systems.Google Scholar
18. Asiedu, Y. and Gu, P., Product life cycle cost analysis: state of the art review, Int J Production Research, 1988, 36, (4), pp 883–883.Google Scholar
19. Dean, E.B. Why does it cost how much? 1993, Proceedings of AIAA 1993 Aerospace Design Conference, Feb., Irvine, CA.Google Scholar
20. Dean, E.B., Parametric cost Analysis: a deisgn function, 1989, Transactions of the American Association of Cost Engineers 33rd Annual Meeting, June, San Diego, CA.Google Scholar
21. Dean, E.B. and Unal, R., Designing for cost, 1991, for presentation at the 1991 Conference of the American Association of Cost Engineers.Google Scholar
22. Mavris, D.N. and Kirby, M.R., Preliminary assessment of the economic viability of a family of very large transport configurations, No. AIAA-96-5516, October 1996, Presented at World Aviation Congress, LA.Google Scholar
23. Martin, R. and Evans, D., Reducing costs in aircraft: the metals afford-ability initiative consortium, J Material (JOM), 2000, 52, (3), pp 24–24.Google Scholar
24. Logan, T.R., Costs and benefits of composite material applications to a Civil STOL, J Aircr, May 1976, 13, (5), pp 369–369.Google Scholar
25. Shevell, R. S., Technological development of transport aircraft – past and future, J Aircr, Feb. 1980, 17, (2), pp 67–80, Article No. 78-1530R.Google Scholar
26. Marx, W.J., Mavris, D.N. and Schrage, D.P., Cost/time analysis for theoretical aircraft production, J Aircr, July-August 1998, 35, (4).Google Scholar
27. Kelly, R.D., Our amazing air transportation system, J Aircr, December 1977, 14, (12).Google Scholar
28. Warwick, T., Funding – A unified approach, J Aircr, July 1991, 28, (7).Google Scholar
29. Tirovolis, N. L., Integration of Commercial Aircraft Economic Targets into the Initial Design Process, Imperial College, London, 2005, PhD Thesis.Google Scholar