DRAGON SYSTEM PROGRAM PLAN

System Management Plan

The promotion program will be continued to attract developers.

The main program management is condensed in a Microsoft Excel 7 workbook that combines several aspects, including a sheet that calculates and displays configuration items, weight, balance, cost, and schedule * ss1.xls Provision for estimates of time and cost are included.
The estimates will be refined after a detailed stress and strength analysis has been performed.

The system is conceived as the basic version of the Dragon aircar, as outlined in the TACRA survey, plus the owner-operators and the hangarage storage-maintenance facility and fixed base airport operators.
The simplest approach is to set up the main design algorithm so that the cost and benefits may be calculated in such a way that the designer can calculate the effects of the design parameters on the system. The life cycle will be assumed to be 20 years. The algorithm considers compounding costs and benefits over the life cycle, as is the practice used in the StrongWare ®. The costs and benefits of the owner-operator's time will be assumed to be that of professional-level persons for business trips, ~$60/hr, and for pleasure trips, minus ~$60/hr. The operation will be based on an assumed combination of profiles, such as business trips, sport flying, with various road trips. Training and maintenance profiles will be included.
Unless others participate, current planning rough estimates are for a program through road and flight testing of about four to five years.

The results of the TACRA surveys will be used to identify improvements to the design and to identify people who indicate that they would build Dragons. Whenever two or more builders are identified who live near each other and would like to work with a team, they will be informed about each other so they can communicate. They could then pick a place to build, such as a local public airport. As an example, some EAA Chapter members, flying clubs, TACRA, or other organizations might form the Initial Cadre. Other potential developers might include consortia of educational and industrial organizations.

The program will be phased to research, develop, build, and test[RDB&T] the Dragon in phases with a cadre of engineers and builders:
Phase EJ-0. RDB&T half-scale duct, fan, and throttles to check general airflow;
Phase EJ-1. Build partial hangarage and testbed for full-scale testing;
Phase EJ-2. RDB&T the 36" ducted fan and maw for balance and fit;
Phase EJ-3. B&T ducted fan with suitable engine and exhaust and throttles to estimate thrust/horsepower efficiency per *TestPlan;
Phase EJ-4. Disseminate test results to gain funding and support, then either continue with Phase EJ-5 or go to Phase D-0.
Phase EJ-5. B&T ducted fan and engine;
Phase D-0. Design and build Dragon chassis and body as full-scale mock-up/testbed;
Phase D-1. Install flight engine and controls, fuel system flight instruments, fan, stub wings, and and controls, then test ;
Phase D-2. Perform duct testing;
Phase D-3. Install suspension and road drive, then test;
Phase D-4. Perform structural analysis and detailed design for Dragon;
Phase D-5. Build and Test, B&T, Dragon chassis and body, road test;
Phase D-6. B&T flight surfaces, tail and wings.
Phase D-7. Flight Test Dragon; and
Phase D-8. Develop kits for production Dragons.
Documents to be developed follow the usual Air Force and DoD process:

System Program Plan;
Financial Records;
Contracts;
Technical Studies;
Correspondence;
Requests for Proposals and Source Selection Plan;
Statement of Work, Technical and Financial;
Specifications;
Data and Hardware Deliveries;
Test and Evaluation Plans;
T&E Results;
Training Plan and Pilot Operating Handbook;
Repairman Manual;
Bills of Materials; and
WorkPlans.

Information is to be stored in a central computer.