The pilot's guide to aeronautics and the complex forces of flight Flight Theory and Aerodynamics is the essential pilot's guide to the physics of flight, designed specifically for those with limited engineering experience. From the basics of forces and vectors to craft-specific applications, this book explains the mechanics behind the pilot's everyday operational tasks. The discussion focuses on the concepts themselves, using only enough algebra and trigonometry to illustrate key concepts without getting bogged down in complex calculations, and then delves into the specific applications for jets, propeller crafts, and helicopters. This updated third edition includes new chapters on Flight Environment, Aircraft Structures, and UAS-UAV Flight Theory, with updated craft examples, component photos, and diagrams throughout. FAA-aligned questions and regulatory references help reinforce important concepts, and additional worked problems provide clarification on complex topics.
Modern flight control systems are becoming more complex and more varied between aircrafts, making it essential for pilots to understand the aerodynamics of flight before they ever step into a cockpit. This book provides clear explanations and flight-specific examples of the physics every pilot must know.
- Review the basic physics of flight
- Understand the applications to specific types of aircraft
- Learn why takeoff and landing entail special considerations
- Examine the force concepts behind stability and control
As a pilot, your job is to balance the effects of design, weight, load factors, and gravity during flight maneuvers, stalls, high- or low-speed flight, takeoff and landing, and more. As aircraft grow more complex and the controls become more involved, an intuitive grasp of the physics of flight is your most valuable tool for operational safety. Flight Theory and Aerodynamics is the essential resource every pilot needs for a clear understanding of the forces they control.
Table of Contents:
Preface xi About the Authors xiii
1 Introduction 1
The Flight Environment, 1
Basic Quantities, 1
Forces, 2
Mass, 3
Scalar and Vector Quantities, 4
Moments, 5
Equilibrium Conditions, 6
Newton’s Laws of Motion, 6
Linear Motion, 7
Rotational Motion, 8
Work, 8
Energy, 8
Power, 9
Friction, 9
Symbols, 10
Equations, 11
Problems, 12
2 Atmosphere, Altitude, and Airspeed Measurement 13
Properties of the Atmosphere, 13
ICAO Standard Atmosphere, 15
Altitude Measurement, 16
Continuity Equation, 19
Bernoulli’s Equation, 19
Airspeed Measurement, 22
Symbols, 26
Equations, 27
Problems, 27
3 Structures, Airfoils, and Aerodynamic Forces 31
Aircraft Structures, 31
Airfoils, 37
Development of Forces on Airfoils, 42
Aerodynamic Force, 44
Aerodynamic Pitching Moments, 45
Aerodynamic Center, 46
Symbols, 46
Problems, 47
4 Lift 49
Introduction to Lift, 49
Angle of Attack Indicator, 49
Boundary Layer Theory, 51
Reynolds Number, 53
Adverse Pressure Gradient, 54
Airflow Separation, 55
Stall, 56
Aerodynamic Force Equations, 57
Lift Equation, 58
Airfoil Lift Characteristics, 60
High Coefficient of Lift Devices, 61
Lift During Flight Manuevers, 65
Symbols, 67
Equations, 67
Problems, 68
5 Drag 71
Drag Equation, 71
Induced Drag, 71
Ground Effect, 77
Laminar Flow Airfoils, 81
Parasite Drag, 82
Total Drag, 85
Lift to Drag Ratio, 87
Drag Reduction, 88
Symbols, 90
Equations, 91
Problems, 91
6 Jet Aircraft Basic Performance 95
Thrust-Producing Aircraft, 95
Principles of Propulsion, 96
Thrust-Available Turbojet Aircraft, 100
Specific Fuel Consumption, 101
Fuel Flow, 102
Thrust-Available–Thrust-Required Curves, 103
Items of Aircraft Performance, 104
Symbols, 113
Equations, 113
Problems, 114
7 Jet Aircraft Applied Performance 117
Variations in the Thrust-Required Curve, 117
Variations of Aircraft Performance, 121
Equations, 125
Problems, 125
8 Propeller Aircraft: Basic Performance 129
Power Available, 129
Principles of Propulsion, 131
Power-Required Curves, 133
Items of Aircraft Performance, 139
Symbols, 145
Equations, 146
Problems, 146
9 Propeller Aircraft: Applied Performance 149
Variations in the Power-Required Curve, 149
Variations in Aircraft Performance, 153
Equations, 157
Problems, 157
10 Takeoff Performance 161
Definitions Important to Takeoff Planning, 161
Aborted Takeoffs, 164
Linear Motion, 166
Factors Affecting Takeoff Performance, 168
Improper Liftoff, 171
Symbols, 174
Equations, 175
Problems, 175
11 Landing Performance 179
Prelanding Performance, 179
Improper Landing Performance, 185
Landing Deceleration, Velocity, and Distance, 190
Landing Equations, 194
Hazards of Hydroplaning, 197
Symbols, 199
Equations, 199
Problems, 200
12 Slow-Speed Flight 203
Stalls, 203
Region of Reversed Command, 210
Spins, 212
Low-Level Wind Shear, 216
Aircraft Performance in Low-Level Wind Shear, 218
Effect of Ice and Frost, 221
Wake Turbulence, 222
Problems, 224
13 Maneuvering Performance 227
General Turning Performance, 227
Equations, 242
Problems, 243
14 Longitudinal Stability and Control 245
Definitions, 245
Oscillatory Motion, 246
Airplane Reference Axes, 248
Static Longitudinal Stability, 248
Dynamic Longitudinal Stability, 260
Pitching Tendencies in a Stall, 261
Longitudinal Control, 264
Symbols, 266
Equations, 266
Problems, 266
15 Directional and Lateral Stability and Control 269
Directional Stability and Control, 269
Static Directional Stability, 269
Directional Control, 276
Multi-Engine Flight Principles, 280
Lateral Stability and Control, 284
Static Lateral Stability, 284
Lateral Control, 288
Dynamic Directional and Lateral Coupled Effects, 288
Symbols, 293
Equations, 293
Problems, 293
16 High-Speed Flight 295
The Speed of Sound, 295
High-Subsonic Flight, 297
Design Features for High-Subsonic Flight, 298
Transonic Flight, 301
Supersonic Flight, 305
Symbols, 316
Equations, 316
Problems, 316
17 Rotary-Wing Flight Theory 319
Momentum Theory of Lift, 320
Airfoil Selection, 320
Forces on Rotor System, 321
Thrust Development, 323
Hovering Flight, 324
Ground Effect, 326
Rotor Systems, 328
Dissymmetry of Lift in Forward Flight, 330
High Forward Speed Problems, 333
Helicopter Control, 334
Helicopter Power-Required Curves, 336
Power Settling, Settling with Power, and Vortex Ring State, 338
Autorotation, 340
Dynamic Rollover, 341
Problems, 343
Answers to Problems 345
References 349
Index 353
