General Aviation Aircraft Design

General Aviation Aircraft Design

Released September 2013
Publisher(s): Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 9780123973290

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Book description

Find the right answer the first time with this useful handbook of preliminary aircraft design. Written by an engineer with close to 20 years of design experience, General Aviation Aircraft Design: Applied Methods and Procedures provides the practicing engineer with a versatile handbook that serves as the first source for finding answers to realistic aircraft design questions. The book is structured in an "equation/derivation/solved example" format for easy access to content. Readers will find it a valuable guide to topics such as sizing of horizontal and vertical tails to minimize drag, sizing of lifting surfaces to ensure proper dynamic stability, numerical performance methods, and common faults and fixes in aircraft design. In most cases, numerical examples involve actual aircraft specs. Concepts are visually depicted by a number of useful black-and-white figures, photos, and graphs (with full-color images included in the eBook only). Broad and deep in coverage, it is intended for practicing engineers, aerospace engineering students, mathematically astute amateur aircraft designers, and anyone interested in aircraft design.



  • Organized by articles and structured in an "equation/derivation/solved example" format for easy access to the content you need
  • Numerical examples involve actual aircraft specs
  • Contains high-interest topics not found in other texts, including sizing of horizontal and vertical tails to minimize drag, sizing of lifting surfaces to ensure proper dynamic stability, numerical performance methods, and common faults and fixes in aircraft design
  • Provides a unique safety-oriented design checklist based on industry experience
  • Discusses advantages and disadvantages of using computational tools during the design process
  • Features detailed summaries of design options detailing the pros and cons of each aerodynamic solution
  • Includes three case studies showing applications to business jets, general aviation aircraft, and UAVs
  • Numerous high-quality graphics clearly illustrate the book's concepts (note: images are full-color in eBook only)

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Dedication
  5. Copyright
  6. Chapter 1. The Aircraft Design Process
    1. Abstract
    2. 1.1 Introduction
    3. 1.2 General Process of Aircraft Design
    4. 1.3 Aircraft Design Algorithm
    5. 1.4 Elements of Project Engineering
    6. 1.5 Presenting the Design Project
    7. Variables
    8. References
  7. Chapter 2. Aircraft Cost Analysis
    1. Abstract
    2. 2.1 Introduction
    3. 2.2 Estimating Project Development Costs
    4. 2.3 Estimating Aircraft Operational Costs
    5. Exercises
    6. Variables
    7. References
  8. Chapter 3. Initial Sizing
    1. Abstract
    2. 3.1 Introduction
    3. 3.2 Constraint Analysis
    4. 3.3 Introduction to Trade Studies
    5. Exercises
    6. Variables
  9. Chapter 4. Aircraft Conceptual Layout
    1. Abstract
    2. 4.1 Introduction
    3. 4.2 The Fundamentals of the Configuration Layout
    4. Variables
    5. References
  10. Chapter 5. Aircraft Structural Layout
    1. Abstract
    2. 5.1 Introduction
    3. 5.2 Aircraft Fabrication and Materials
    4. 5.3 Airframe Structural Layout
    5. Variables
    6. References
  11. Chapter 6. Aircraft Weight Analysis
    1. Abstract
    2. 6.1 Introduction
    3. 6.2 Initial Weight Analysis Methods
    4. 6.3 Detailed Weight Analysis Methods
    5. 6.4 Statistical Weight Estimation Methods
    6. 6.5 Direct Weight Estimation Methods
    7. 6.6 Inertia Properties
    8. Exercises
    9. Variables
    10. References
  12. Chapter 7. Selecting the Power Plant
    1. Abstract
    2. 7.1 Introduction
    3. 7.2 The Properties of Selected Engine Types
    4. 7.3 Aircraft Power Plant Installation
    5. 7.4 Special Topics
    6. Exercises
    7. Variables
    8. References
  13. Chapter 8. The Anatomy of the Airfoil
    1. Abstract
    2. 8.1 Introduction
    3. 8.2 The Geometry of the Airfoil
    4. 8.3 The Force and Moment Characteristics of the Airfoil
    5. Exercises
    6. Variables
    7. References
  14. Chapter 9. The Anatomy of the Wing
    1. Abstract
    2. 9.1 Introduction
    3. 9.2 The Trapezoidal Wing Planform
    4. 9.3 The Geometric Layout of the Wing
    5. 9.4 Planform Selection
    6. 9.5 Lift and Moment Characteristics of a 3D Wing
    7. 9.6 Wing Stall Characteristics
    8. 9.7 Numerical Analysis of the Wing
    9. Exercises
    10. Variables
    11. References
  15. Chapter 10. The Anatomy of Lift Enhancement
    1. 10.1 Introduction
    2. 10.2 Leading-Edge High-lift Devices
    3. 10.3 Trailing Edge High-lift Devices
    4. 10.4 Effect of Deploying High-lift Devices on Wings
    5. 10.5 Wingtip Design
    6. Variables
    7. References
  16. Chapter 11. The Anatomy of the Tail
    1. Abstract
    2. 11.1 Introduction
    3. 11.2 Fundamentals of Static Stability and Control
    4. 11.3 On the Pros and Cons of Tail Configurations
    5. 11.4 The Geometry of the Tail
    6. 11.5 Initial Tail Sizing Methods
    7. Exercises
    8. Variables
    9. References
  17. Chapter 12. The Anatomy of the Fuselage
    1. Abstract
    2. 12.1 Introduction
    3. 12.2 Fundamentals of Fuselage Shapes
    4. 12.3 Sizing the Fuselage
    5. 12.4 Estimating the Geometric Properties of the Fuselage
    6. 12.5 Additional Information
    7. Variables
    8. References
  18. Chapter 13. The Anatomy of the Landing Gear
    1. Abstract
    2. 13.1 Introduction
    3. 13.2 Tires, Wheels, and Brakes
    4. 13.3 Geometric Layout of the Landing Gear
    5. Variables
    6. References
  19. Chapter 14. The Anatomy of the Propeller
    1. Abstract
    2. 14.1 Introduction
    3. 14.2 Propeller Effects
    4. 14.3 Properties and Selection of the Propeller
    5. 14.4 Determination of Propeller Thrust
    6. 14.5 Rankine-Froude Momentum Theory
    7. 14.6 Blade Element Theory
    8. Variables
    9. References
  20. Chapter 15. Aircraft Drag Analysis
    1. Abstract
    2. 15.1 Introduction
    3. 15.2 The Drag Model
    4. 15.3 Deconstructing the Drag Model: the Drag Coefficients
    5. 15.4 The Drag Characteristics of the Airplane as a Whole
    6. 15.5 Miscellaneous or Additive Drag
    7. 15.6 Special Topics Involving Drag
    8. 15.7 Additional Information – Drag of Selected Aircraft
    9. Exercises
    10. Variables
    11. References
  21. Chapter 16. Performance – Introduction
    1. Abstract
    2. 16.1 Introduction
    3. 16.2 Atmospheric Modeling
    4. 16.3 The Nature of Airspeed
    5. 16.4 The Flight Envelope
    6. 16.5 Sample Aircraft
    7. Exercises
    8. Variables
    9. References
  22. Chapter 17. Performance – Take-Off
    1. Abstract
    2. 17.1 Introduction
    3. 17.2 Fundamental Relations for the Take-off Run
    4. 17.3 Solving the Equation of Motion of the T-O
    5. 17.4 Database – T-O Performance of Selected Aircraft
    6. Exercises
    7. Variables
    8. References
  23. Chapter 18. Performance – Climb
    1. Abstract
    2. 18.1 Introduction
    3. 18.2 Fundamental Relations for the Climb Maneuver
    4. 18.3 General Climb Analysis Methods
    5. 18.4 Aircraft Database – Rate-of-climb of Selected Aircraft
    6. Variables
    7. References
  24. Chapter 19. Performance – Cruise
    1. Abstract
    2. 19.1 Introduction
    3. 19.2 General Cruise Analysis Methods for Steady Flight
    4. 19.3 General Analysis Methods for Accelerated Flight
    5. Variables
    6. References
  25. Chapter 20. Performance – Range Analysis
    1. Abstract
    2. 20.1 Introduction
    3. 20.2 Range Analysis
    4. 20.3 Specific Range
    5. 20.4 Fundamental Relations for Endurance Analysis
    6. 20.5 Analysis of Mission Profile
    7. Exercises
    8. Variables
    9. References
  26. Chapter 21. Performance – Descent
    1. Abstract
    2. 21.1 Introduction
    3. 21.2 Fundamental Relations for the Descent Maneuver
    4. 21.3 General Descent Analysis Methods
    5. Variables
    6. References
  27. Chapter 22. Performance – Landing
    1. Abstract
    2. 22.1 Introduction
    3. 22.2 Fundamental Relations for the Landing Phase
    4. 22.3 Database – Landing Performance of Selected Aircraft
    5. Variables
    6. References
  28. Chapter 23. Miscellaneous Design Notes
    1. Abstract
    2. 23.1 Introduction
    3. 23.2 Control Surface Sizing
    4. 23.3 General Aviation Aircraft Design Checklist
    5. 23.4 Faults and Fixes
    6. Variables
    7. References
  29. Appendix A. Atmospheric Modeling
    1. A.1 Introduction
    2. A.2 Modeling Atmospheric Properties
    3. References
  30. Appendix B. The Aerospace Engineer’s Formula Sheet
    1. B.1 Cost Analysis
    2. B.2 Constraint Analysis
    3. B.3 Weight Analysis
    4. B.4 Power Plant
    5. B.5 Wing Planform
    6. B.6 Tail Sizing
    7. B.7 Lift and Drag
    8. B.8 The Propeller
    9. B.9 The Atmosphere
    10. B.10 Airspeeds
    11. B.11 Take-off
    12. B.12 Climb, Cruise, and Maneuvering Flight
    13. B.13 Range and Endurance
  31. Index

Product information

  • Title: General Aviation Aircraft Design
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: September 2013
  • Publisher(s): Butterworth-Heinemann
  • ISBN: 9780123973290