The Use of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics: A review of the progress made in the practical application of CFRP to conventional commercial aircraft structures

THIS article considers the role of carbon fibre reinforced plastic as a reinforcement for conventional aircraft structural components. It is in this mode that we expect to see the most extensive use of this new material in the near future, particularly for applications in commercial airliners where, more than in most fields of engineering, it is necessary to temper the vital pressure for greater efficiency by an appreciation of the problems in attempting to achieve too much too soon. The conclusions are based on research and development by British Aircraft Corporation, Weybridge Division, during the past year, primarily in its intensive design development of the new wide‐bodied B.A.C. Three‐Eleven airliner.