The results of a series of design studies of short haul transport aircraft in the RTOL, STOL and VTOL categories have been analysed to establish their respective performance penalties relative to CTOL types. The main criteria used for comparison are weight, direct operating costs and 80 PNdB noise footprint areas but some consideration is also given to low speed control characteristics. The basis of all the designs was a requirement to carry 108 passengers over a stage length of 600 n. miles plus reserves. The main conclusions reached are threefold: a) The 4000 ft RTOL design represents an optimum solution if noise is considered to be a prime requirement, in spite of its having significant weight and cost penalties relative to a 5000 ft CTOL design. b) The choice for 2000 ft operation lies between the augmentor wing and fan lift STOL concepts. c) The tilt wing rotorcraft concept compares well with the fan lift VTOL when high fuel costs are assumed. Starting in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, the Cranfield Institute of Technology was granted university status in 1969. In 1993 it changed its name to Cranfield University.