Aircraft design is a complex and fascinating business and a field of research
and many good books have been written about it. The very complex and dynamic
nature of the subject means that no book can do justice to it. This chapter, therefore,
will primarily act as an introduction to the whole field of aircraft design leading
towards the main phases of an aircraft development program. It also provides
information about the whole aircraft design process together with descriptions of the
aircraft design phases. Certification is an important aspect of aircraft design process
and therefore is covered in the present chapter with more details.
Keywords: Aircraft design phases, Conceptual design, Design requirements,
Financial analysis.