The essential interdependence of subjects from several disciplines has been emphasized;

study is simplified by a comprehensive index;

The book emphasises practical insight into of flight physics, though the authors have not sacrificed mathematical rigour in order to simplify;

Numerous graphical illustrations, diagrams and photographs are included for clarification;

The book contains a brief history of aviation technology, as well as many notes referring to those who founded the science of flight physics.

Preface; 1 History of Aviation; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Early history and the invention of ballooning; 1.3 The period between 1799 and 1870; 1.4 The decades between 1870 and 1890; 1.5 From 1890 until the Wright Flyer III; [...]opean aviation between 1906 and 1918; 1.7 Aviation between the world wars; 1.8 Development after 1940; Bibliography; 2 Introduction to Atmospheric Flight; 2.1 Flying ¿ How is that possible?; 2.2 Static and dynamic aviation; 2.3 Forces on the aeroplane; 2.4 Lift, drag and thrust; 2.5 Properties of air; 2.6 The earth¿s atmosphere; 2.7 The standard atmosphere; 2.8 Atmospheric flight; Bibliography ; 3 Low-Speed Aerodynamics ; 3.1 Speed domains and compressibility; 3.2 Basic concepts; 3.3 Equations for steady flow; 3.4 Viscous flows; 3.5 The boundary layer; 3.6 Flow separation and drag; 3.7 Shape and scale effects on drag ; Bibliography; 4 Lift and Drag at Low Speeds; 4.1 Function and shape of aeroplane wings; 4.2 Aerofoil sections; 4.3 Circulation and lift; 4.4 Aerofoil section properties; 4.5 Wing geometry; 4.6 High-aspect ratio straight wings; 4.7 Low-aspect ratio wings ; 4.8 The whole aircraft; Bibliography; 5 Aircraft Engines and Propulsion; 5.1 History of engine development; 5.2 Fundamentals of reaction propulsion; 5.3 Engine efficiency and fuel consumption; 5.4 Piston engines in aviation; 5.5 Gas turbine engine components ; 5.6 Non-reheated turbojet and turbofan engines ; 5.7 Turboprop and turboshaft engines; 5.8 Gas turbine engine operation ; 5.9 Propeller performance; Bibliography; 6 Aeroplane Performance; 6.1 Introduction ; 6.2 Airspeed and altitude; 6.3 Equations of motion for symmetric flight; 6.4 Steady straight and level flight; 6.5 Climb and descent ; 6.6 Gliding flight; 6.7 Cruising flight; 6.8 Take-off and landing; 6.9 Horizontal steady turn; 6.10 Manoeuvre and gust loads; Bibliography; 7 Stability and Control; 7.1 Flying qualities; 7.2 Elementary concepts and definitions; 7.3 Tail surfaces and flight control; 7.4 Pitchingmoment of aerofoils; 7.5 Static longitudinal stability; 7.6 Dynamic longitudinal stability; 7.7 Longitudinal control; 7.8 Static lateral stability; 7.9 Dynamic lateral stability; 7.10 Lateral control; 7.11 Stalling and spinning ; Bibliography ; 8 Helicopter Flight Mechanics; 8.1 Helicopter general arrangements; 8.2 Hovering flight ; 8.3 The rotor in level flight; 8.4 Flight performance; 8.5 Stability and control; Bibliography; 9 High-Speed Flight; 9.1 Complications due to the compressibility of air; 9.2 Compressible flow relationships; 9.3 Speed of sound and Mach number; 9.4 Flow in a channel; 9.5 Shock waves and expansion flows; 9.6 High-subsonic speed; 9.7 Transonic speed; 9.8 Supersonic speed; 9.9 Supersonic propulsion; 9.10 Performance and operation; Bibliography; A Units and Dimensions; B Principles of Aerostatics; Index