Method of estimating direct operating costs for prospective aircraft with alternative propulsion systems

Abstract

At present, in an unstable geopolitical situation, one of the most important tasks for the Russian Federation is the creation of advanced domestic aircraft that will not be inferior to its foreign counterparts. The cost of operating is the main criterion in the design of a new aircraft to ensure competitiveness in air transport systems. This article provides new regression relations between the power or thrust of a propulsion system and its cost — the level of costs for maintenance and repair of the propulsion system. These relationships make it possible to consider the costs of the propulsion system and airframe separately from each other. This approach makes it possible to obtain estimates of the cost of transportation for existing and promising aircraft, both with classic gas turbine engines and with hybrid and electric propulsion systems. The article provides a method for estimating direct operating costs for promising light aircraft based on these relationships. The calculation of operating costs and cost structure using the example of the “Eviation Alice” electric aircraft and similar functional analogs is demonstrated.