Introduction to Aircraft Flight Mechanics


Book Description

Based on a 15-year successful approach to teaching aircraft flight mechanics at the US Air Force Academy, this text explains the concepts and derivations of equations for aircraft flight mechanics. It covers aircraft performance, static stability, aircraft dynamics stability and feedback control.




Flight Stability and Automatic Control


Book Description

This edition of this this flight stability and controls guide features an unintimidating math level, full coverage of terminology, and expanded discussions of classical to modern control theory and autopilot designs. Extensive examples, problems, and historical notes, make this concise book a vital addition to the engineer's library.




Columbia Crew Survival Investigation Report


Book Description

NASA commissioned the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) to conduct a thorough review of both the technical and the organizational causes of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew on February 1, 2003. The accident investigation that followed determined that a large piece of insulating foam from Columbia's external tank (ET) had come off during ascent and struck the leading edge of the left wing, causing critical damage. The damage was undetected during the mission. The Columbia accident was not survivable. After the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) investigation regarding the cause of the accident was completed, further consideration produced the question of whether there were lessons to be learned about how to improve crew survival in the future. This investigation was performed with the belief that a comprehensive, respectful investigation could provide knowledge that can protect future crews in the worldwide community of human space flight. Additionally, in the course of the investigation, several areas of research were identified that could improve our understanding of both nominal space flight and future spacecraft accidents. This report is the first comprehensive, publicly available accident investigation report addressing crew survival for a human spacecraft mishap, and it provides key information for future crew survival investigations. The results of this investigation are intended to add meaning to the sacrifice of the crew's lives by making space flight safer for all future generations.







Aircraft Design


Book Description

Winner of the Summerfield Book Award Winner of the Aviation-Space Writers Association Award of Excellence. --Over 30,000 copies sold, consistently the top-selling AIAA textbook title This highly regarded textbook presents the entire process of aircraft conceptual designfrom requirements definition to initial sizing, configuration layout, analysis, sizing, and trade studiesin the same manner seen in industry aircraft design groups. Interesting and easy to read, the book has more than 800 pages of design methods, illustrations, tips, explanations, and equations, and extensive appendices with key data essential to design. It is the required design text at numerous universities around the world, and is a favorite of practicing design engineers.




Fundamentals of Flight


Book Description







Aerodynamic Principles of Flight Vehicles


Book Description

In "Aerodynamic Principles of Flight Vehicles" Argyris Panaras examines the fundamentals of vortices and shock waves, aerodynamic estimation of lift and drag, airfoil theory, boundary layer control, and high-speed, high-temperature flow. Individual chapters address vortices in aerodynamics, transonic and supersonic flows, transonic/supersonic aircraft configurations, and high-supersonic/hypersonic flows, beginning with definitions and historical data, and then describing present-day status and current research challenges. Emphasis is given to flow control, to the evolution of flight vehicle shapes as flight speed has increased, and to discoveries that enabled breakthrough developments in flight. The book: examines why various equations and technologies were developed, explains major contributors in areas such as vortices and aircraft wakes, drag buildup, sonic boom, and shock wave-boundary layer interactions, among others, and helps readers apply concepts from the material to their own projects. Archival and encyclopedic, "Aerodynamic Principles of Flight Vehicles" is a superb reference for aeronautical students and professionals alike. Although most beneficial to readers with a working knowledge of aerodynamics, it is accessible to anyone with an introductory understanding of the field.




Dynamics of Flight


Book Description