The aerodynamic design of aircraft : a detailed introduction to the current aerodynamic knowledge and practical guide to the solution of aircraft design problems

This book is as relevant and as forward looking today as it was when it was first published in 1978. It comprises the philosophy and life's work of a unique and visionary intellect. Based upon material taught in a course at Imperial College London, the insight and intuition conveyed by this text are timeless. With its republication, the author's influence will extend to the next generation of aerospace industry students and practitioners and the vehicles they will produce. He establishes three classes of aircraft based on the character of flow involved. Each class is suitable for a distinct cruise speed regime: classical and swept aircraft for subsonic and transonic cruise, slender-wing aircraft for supersonic cruise, and wave-rider aircraft for hypersonic cruise. Unlike most engineering texts, which focus on a set of tools, the author's approach is to focus on the problem and its solution - what kind of flow is best for a given class of aircraft and how to achieve it. With this approach, the author fully embraces the true inverse nature of design; rather than answer "what flow given the shape," he strives to answer "what flow given the purpose" and then "what shape given the flow." - Data and information appearing in this book are for informational purposes only. AIAA and the author are not responsible for any injury or damage resulting from use or reliance, nor do AIAA and the author warrant that use or reliance will be free from privately owned rights. Dietrich Kuchemann's The Aerodynamic Design of Aircraft is as relevant and as forward looking today as it was when it was first published in 1978. It comprises the philosophy and life's work of a unique and visionary intellect. Based upon material taught in a course at Imperial College London, the insight and intuition conveyed by this text are timeless. With its republication, Kuchemann's influence will extend to the next generation of aerospace industry students and practitioners and the vehicles they will produce. Kuchemann establishes three classes of aircraft based on the character of flow involved. Each class is suitable for a distinct cruise speed classical and swept aircraft for subsonic and transonic cruise, slender-wing aircraft for supersonic cruise, and wave-rider aircraft for hypersonic cruise. Unlike most engineering texts, which focus on a set of tools, Kuchemann's approach is to focus on the problem and its solution - what kind of flow is best for a given class of aircraft and how to achieve it. With this approach, Kuchemann fully embraces the true inverse nature of design; rather than answer "what flow given the shape," he strives to answer "what flow given the purpose" and then "what shape given the flow." Content: Front Matter • Preface • Table of Contents 1. Prolegomena 2. The Treatment of Airflows 3. Means for Generating Lift and Propulsive Forces 4. Properties of Classical and Swept Aircraft 5. The Design of Classical and Swept Aircraft 6. Properties and Design of Slender Aircraft for Supersonic Flight 7. Slender Aircraft for Flight at Subsonic Speeds over Short Ranges 8. Waverider Aircraft • 9. Conclusions and Outlook • References (Pages 515 - 535) • References (Pages 536 - 555) Index As relevant and as forward looking today as it was when it was first published in 1978, Dietrich Kuchemann's The Aerodynamic Design of Aircraft comprises the philosophy and life's work of a unique and visionary intellect. Based on material taught in a course at Imperial College London, the insight and intuition conveyed by this text are timeless.