Why Modern Aircraft Have Become So Expensive What Really Drives the Cost of a Modern Aircraft? When most people look at a modern aircraft, the first question is often: “What is the most expensive part?” The obvious answer might seem to be the engine. That is understandable. A modern turbofan is an extraordinary engineering machine containing thousands of components, high-temperature materials, precision-machined parts, sophisticated control systems and components that must operate reliably for thousands of flight cycles. But the economics of a modern aircraft are much more complicated. An aircraft is not simply a collection of expensive components assembled together. It is a highly integrated, certified and traceable engineering system . The cost comes from many layers: Structural design and manufacturing Engines and propulsion systems Avionics and electronics Software Sensors Electrical and hydraulic systems Composite materials Manufacturing tooling Inspection and testing Certif...
“Defying gravity: How heavy metal flew and changed aviation forever.