Operational Requirements for Aircraft in Australian Territories

Extract

At its fifth meeting, the Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Research Council discussed the need for a better understanding of the operational requirements for aircraft in different parts of the Commonwealth. It therefore asked for papers from the respective countries, bearing in mind particularly the possibilities of V.T.O.L. and S.T.O.L. aircraft.

A survey has been made in Australia. The general impression gained is that within the Australian continent there are no outstanding future operational needs, if the term outstanding is interpreted in the sense of V.T.O.L. or S.T.O.L. or other extraordinary condition of operation. This is not surprising since Australia has, on the whole, excellent conditions for flying; there are no high mountains, very little icing or fog, and the country tends generally to be flat and low. In external operations conditions are not so favourable and certain definite requirements emerge. Theses together with some general observations, have been recorded as of interest to designers. It is clear that simpler forms of V.T.O.L. aircraft than rotary winged types are needed, and this may well indicate a need for more research.