Aircraft Performance

by David L. Birdsall and W. Austyn Mair

Book Overview

This book describes the principles and equations required for evaluating the performance of an aircraft. After introductory chapters on the atmosphere, basic flight theory, and drag, the book goes on to consider in detail the estimation of climbing performance, the relevant characteristics of power plants, takeoff and landing performance, range, and turning performance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521568366
• ISBN13: 9780521568364
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great text

This is a good text book. It covers many aspects of aircraft performance with good depth.

inclusive and complemental

The book is a well presented work on aircraft perfomance evaluation. It is really extensive, in fact most textbooks give few hints on estimating perfomance in practice. This failing is corrected by a well written tome, since the mathematical level is quite accessible and many comments are available on charts and data referring to many types of aicraft. These examples are quite significant, being indications on tradeoffs (a classical problem in aircraft design) and errors assessment due to approximations; besides they give an order of magnitude of typical figures of equations solutions. The most valuable feature is the chapter on takeoff and landing perfomance; as matter of fact evaluation and computation methodology are clearly presented, rappresenting the bridge between theory and perfomance criteria listed in regulations as published by aeronautical bodies (i.e. FAA & JAA ). To remark a shortcoming is not easy in this useful volume, but a wider lecture on combat manouvres and tran-supersonic flight would be considerably appreciated. Finally a much needed book, complementary to an aerodynamic course text and a nice reference for industry professionals.

Excellent book and very readable

This is an outstanding "all-in-one" reference for phenomenological modeling of aircraft performance. The book makes no assumptions of reader background, starting from rudimentary aerodynamics and working up through advanced flight chracteristics such as V/STOL and supermaneuverability. The notation and approach is consistent throughout, and I alwasy seem to find a new gem every time I return to the book. I would highly recommend the text for an undergraduate aero course or as one piece of a more comprehensive graduate seminar.The only deficiency in my opinion is a rather light treatment of propoulsion and a tendency to focus on commerical and subsonic examples to the exclusion of high performance aircraft.