Boeing YC-14: US Air Force Experimental STOL Aircraft

The Boeing YC-14, flown in 1976, was a groundbreaking aeronautical achievement with upper-surface blowing and boundary-layer control for low airspeeds. It featured fly-by-light flight controls and digital airframe design, creating a multiorganizational culture. Test pilots' reflections and the challenges of designing a new airplane are explored.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

The Boeing YC-14, a remarkable aeronautical achievement, made its inaugural flight in 1976. This aircraft heralded numerous groundbreaking innovations in aircraft design, the most notable of which was the implementation of upper-surface blowing (which redirected the jet engine flow downward) in conjunction with boundary-layer control. This innovative approach enabled the YC-14 to operate at astonishingly low airspeeds, setting new standards in aviation. The program management of the YC-14 consistently embraced cutting-edge technologies, such as "fly-by-light" flight controls and digital airframe design. These technologies would later become mainstream for Boeing. While this book primarily focuses on a specific airplane type, it is equally about the YC-14 design team that fostered a multiorganizational culture that was unafraid to "think outside the box" and create a remarkably capable aircraft. To provide a firsthand perspective, Boeing and Air Force test pilots offer their insights into the handling and performance of the YC-14. Furthermore, the challenges of designing a new airplane from scratch are thoroughly explored, offering a comprehensive understanding of the intricate process involved.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 235 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764366536