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Realistic assessment of the role of V/STOL air transportation in the 1970’s is important to government transportation policies being formulated. Studies of a system, including the vehicle, airport, air traffic, and navigation facilities, were conducted in a specific market -- the California Corridor. Four VTOL aircraft representing various concepts were designed to a common set of requirements. These aircraft, one STOL, a conventional jet aircraft, and a conventional helicopter, were operated in a simulated airline network. Costs and revenues were compared to those of conventional jet aircraft operating on the same airline network. Ground transportation systems were assessed, including the automobile which is a formidable opponent on shorter routes. However, the STOL/VTOL systems by virtue of their convenience and overall speed, capture some traffic from other transportation means and generate new customer markets.

Airport congestion, combined with the rapid and continuing growth of corridor air traffic, has spurred the development of potentially viable VTOL and STOL systems. As these systems grow, they will introduce new close-in airports in metropolitan areas, as well as increase the efficiency of existing airports for medium and long haul transportation. New and more efficient methods of utilizing the terminal airspace must be developed to control the mix of conventional and V/STOL aircraft to minimize traffic delays, and to support in every way the maintenance of a safe, fast, reliable all-weather intercity air transport system. This paper treats methods of interfacing CTOL and V/STOL terminal traffic to achieve these objectives.