On the issue of creating a basic list of hazards associated with the activities of the developer of a promising supersonic civil aircraft

Currently, Russia has various documents, approved by government decrees, aimed at improving regional air transport connectivity and population mobility. One of the ways to address this issue could be the development of a new supersonic civil aircraft. Among the many challenges associated with the design, manufacture, and operation of such aircraft, an important place is occupied by the problem of ensuring flight safety, which is addressed through the development and implementation of flight safety management systems by developers, manufacturers, and operators of civil aircraft. This list should be based on an analysis of operational experience with supersonic civil aircraft, a study of the characteristics of supersonic flight, and familiarization with supersonic civil aircraft designs. Operational risks are inextricably linked to risks arising during the development and manufacture of the aircraft. Therefore, this paper attempts to create a basic list of hazards associated with the activities of a developer of a promising supersonic civil aircraft. An analysis of the design and operation of supersonic civil aircraft, based on open sources, revealed specific phenomena occurring during supersonic flight that must be considered when developing a list of hazards. Such phenomena include wave drag, rearward shift of the center of pressure and aerodynamic center (focus), reduced effectiveness of lifting surfaces, sonic boom, and others. When developing a list of hazards associated with the developer’s activities, it should be taken into account that the developer must ensure the release of documentation for the manufacture of an aircraft with airworthiness no lower than that specified in the Airworthiness Standards. However, the currently applicable Airworthiness Standards for transport category aircraft do not take into account the specifics of aircraft operation at supersonic speeds, which is one of the sources of hazards. Therefore, this paper proposes a tentative basic list of hazards, sources, and threats during the development of supersonic civil aircraft that directly impact its operation. Risk assessment should be performed directly within the operator’s organization using the procedures and tools approved in its Flight Safety Management System.

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