Typical Cost Frame

A crude development cost up to certification (in year 2000 U. S. Dollars) is shown in Table 2.1. Typical unit aircraft costs by class are also given (there is variation among companies). A substantial part of the budget is committed to Phase 1.

2.3.1 Typical Time Frame

Typical time frames for the phases of different types of projects are shown in Chart 2.4. All figures are the approximate number of months. Exploratory work continues year-round to examine the viability of incorporating new technologies and to push the boundaries of company capabilities – which is implied rather than explicit in Chart 2.4.

2.3 Typical Task Breakdown in Each Phase

Typical task obligations in each phase of civil aircraft design are defined in this sec­tion. Military aircraft designs follow the same pattern but more rigorously. Military aircraft must deal with new technologies, which could still require operational prov­ing; therefore, there is uncertainty involved in military aircraft projects.