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The design of a fifty-passenger commuter transport aircraft for use in a competitive short haul passenger market is discussed from a design point of view. The CAC-100 is the solution for a quiet, fast, efficient airplane which offers to the passenger the same features as the commercial jets.

Aerodynamic and structural considerations in the design of these two airplanes are compared with other light aircraft designs. The designer-builder relationship has some effect on the selection of configurations, materials and construction methods. The designer has the task of taking the many compromises between performance, safety, structural integrity, and weight. The PL-2 is not only built by amateurs and flown for recreation, but it is also used as a military trainer in several Asiatic countries. The PL-4, also built by amateurs, has been flown as a sport aircraft, and also selected as an advanced Air Cadet Trainer in Canada.

A greatly expanded sales market for light airplanes and helicopters will be realized only if consumer prices can be reduced sufficiently to accommodate mass financial capability. Although manufacturing practices have minimized costs as much as possible, the wide disparity in the material/labor cost ratio must be narrowed considerably. A reduction of as much as 48% in customer cost is possible if newer materials and processes are introduced and if automotive mass production methods are used. This paper reports a cost and performance study of aircraft using present methods and materials as compared with others, already developed or being developed.