Aircraft design

[matt_hooks]

OK, having a discussion with a few friends regarding what would be the most efficient aircraft design. The design criteria would be:-

carry 3 large people, be STOLish, cruise 1000nm, 150kts plus, comfortable, very fuel efficient, and carbonfibre/fibreglass. Oh, and aerobatic to Intermediate level.

What would people here think?

Looking at things like

Engine type/fuel?
Fuselage shape?
Retractable or not?
Wing planform?

I reckon it's a pretty interesting little problem, as far as I know there is nothing on the market that properly fullfils all of those, obviously if there is I'd be interested to hear about it!

So what do you lot think?

[andyb79]

Originally Posted by matt_hooks

carry 3 large people, be STOLish, cruise 1000nm, 150kts plus, comfortable, very fuel efficient, and carbonfibre/fibreglass. Oh, and aerobatic to Intermediate level.
What would people here think?
Looking at things like
Engine type/fuel?
Fuselage shape?
Retractable or not?
Wing planform?

Looking at the 'spec' although ideal a couple of requirements basically wont work together, ie; STOL, Aerobatic AND fuel efficient.
For flying then yes, STOL/aerobatic would be probably the key requirements IMO but for traveling then fuel efficency would be upmost.
The aircraft for flying would more than likely be a piston with a relativly low speed aerofoil section whilst the traveling aircraft would be a turbine with a swept wing.
Combining the two aspects would require tradeoffs between the two, resulting in something which is neither one nor the other.

[sir.pratt]

reasonably stol, not really fuel efficient, one's aerobatic, the other will do 10000' in about 5 mins