Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics 2/E

by Hubert C. Smith

Book Overview

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The principles of flight made easy to understand, even fascinating, to pilots and technicians


Most pilots and flight students wince at the mention of the term "aerodynamics" because most courses and books dealing with the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830639012
• ISBN13: 9780830639014
• Release Date: December 1991
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

This is the must have book for homebuilders

If you want to build or just understand the dynamics of flight, including all the hard math but in an easy to read and understand format, then this book is a must have for your bookshelf. This book totally sucked me into it, not unlike a novel, it was that easy to read and understand. Whether you are 14 or 94, you will like this book.

Excellent for reference and learning about Basic Aerodynamics

I have owned this book for about 10 years, and it is one of my favorites. I have read it cover to cover, and have referred to it many times since. Great for the pilot, mechanic, kit builder or amatuer designer. Easy to read and informative. A "must have" for anyone who really wants to understand airplanes and aerodynamics.

Really Useful Reference

I read this book for research that I am doing at school. In this book the author carefully and slowly explains the principles of aerodynamics. His approach is perfect for those of us who are new to the subject. The layout of the book makes sense. The book includes many examples along with thorough explanations of these examples. (He also gives many interesting anecdotal comments.) Additionally, the author's handling of the material is simple, but not so basic that one cannot get a full understanding of aerodynamic forces acting on an airplane and on the structures than comprise the vehicle. This book is a very useful reference for understanding aerodynamic forces and how these forces can be determined and predicted.

Excellent introductory book

I started from Aerodynamics for Engineers which was a bad choice. However, this was excellent introductory book that was on very understandable and practical level, just how introduction should be. Very good book for homebuilder or pilot point of view.

An excellent reference for pilots and aircraft homebuilders

I found Skip Smith's book to be an excellent layman's introduction to aerodynamics. Fluid mechanics does not usually make for interesting, easily comprehensible reading, but Dr. Smith's book is clearly the exception. I'm constantly irritated by the very inaccurate descriptions of aerodynamics given in many flying magazines and instructional books. This book has none of those common errors. Reading this book should greatly increase the average pilot's knowledge of how his plane flies and what huge design constraints aeronatical engineers have to live with. Highly recommended reading for all those who are interested in learning more about the principles of flight.