Status and Trends in Small Aviation Development using Examples from Russia and the USA

Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, 198035, 5/7, Dvinskaya str, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

^* Corresponding author: smirnovab@gumrf.ru

Abstract

The article examines and describes in detail the sphere of small aircraft. It differs from other types of aviation in that it includes relatively small aircraft: planes with a takeoff weight of up to 8600 kg of power, with a capacity of up to 19 passengers; helicopters with a takeoff weight of up to 4500 kg of power; drones with a takeoff weight of up to 8600 kg. During Soviet times, the sector was rapidly developing, and vessels were used for passenger transportation, medical purposes, forest protection, aerial patrolling of certain areas, reconnaissance, mail transportation, firefighting, and other purposes. The study summarizes the indicators characterizing the state of small aircraft in Russia and the United States, and a comparative analysis of the dynamics of small aircraft development of these two countries is made. The numerical indicators characterizing the number of small aircraft, pilots and airfields are considered. It is proved that the sphere of small aviation in Russia is in decline at the moment; concrete examples such as low level of pilots training, insufficient number of aircraft, runways, and others are considered. Possible prospects for the development of this sphere are identified and ways of solving the existing problems are proposed.