General Aviation Aircraft Design

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)

Aircraft manufacturers, aircraft designers, aircraft maintenance and modification organizations, students in aerospace engineering.

Dedication

Chapter 1. The Aircraft Design Process

Abstract

1.1 Introduction

1.2 General Process of Aircraft Design

1.3 Aircraft Design Algorithm

1.4 Elements of Project Engineering

1.5 Presenting the Design Project

Variables

References

Chapter 2. Aircraft Cost Analysis

Abstract

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Estimating Project Development Costs

2.3 Estimating Aircraft Operational Costs

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 3. Initial Sizing

Abstract

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Constraint Analysis

3.3 Introduction to Trade Studies

Exercises

Variables

Chapter 4. Aircraft Conceptual Layout

Abstract

4.1 Introduction

4.2 The Fundamentals of the Configuration Layout

Variables

References

Chapter 5. Aircraft Structural Layout

Abstract

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Aircraft Fabrication and Materials

5.3 Airframe Structural Layout

Variables

References

Chapter 6. Aircraft Weight Analysis

Abstract

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Initial Weight Analysis Methods

6.3 Detailed Weight Analysis Methods

6.4 Statistical Weight Estimation Methods

6.5 Direct Weight Estimation Methods

6.6 Inertia Properties

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 7. Selecting the Power Plant

Abstract

7.1 Introduction

7.2 The Properties of Selected Engine Types

7.3 Aircraft Power Plant Installation

7.4 Special Topics

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 8. The Anatomy of the Airfoil

Abstract

8.1 Introduction

8.2 The Geometry of the Airfoil

8.3 The Force and Moment Characteristics of the Airfoil

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 9. The Anatomy of the Wing

Abstract

9.1 Introduction

9.2 The Trapezoidal Wing Planform

9.3 The Geometric Layout of the Wing

9.4 Planform Selection

9.5 Lift and Moment Characteristics of a 3D Wing

9.6 Wing Stall Characteristics

9.7 Numerical Analysis of the Wing

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 10. The Anatomy of Lift Enhancement

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Leading-Edge High-lift Devices

10.3 Trailing Edge High-lift Devices

10.4 Effect of Deploying High-lift Devices on Wings

10.5 Wingtip Design

Variables

References

Chapter 11. The Anatomy of the Tail

Abstract

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Fundamentals of Static Stability and Control

11.3 On the Pros and Cons of Tail Configurations

11.4 The Geometry of the Tail

11.5 Initial Tail Sizing Methods

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 12. The Anatomy of the Fuselage

Abstract

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Fundamentals of Fuselage Shapes

12.3 Sizing the Fuselage

12.4 Estimating the Geometric Properties of the Fuselage

12.5 Additional Information

Variables

References

Chapter 13. The Anatomy of the Landing Gear

Abstract

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Tires, Wheels, and Brakes

13.3 Geometric Layout of the Landing Gear

Variables

References

Chapter 14. The Anatomy of the Propeller

Abstract

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Propeller Effects

14.3 Properties and Selection of the Propeller

14.4 Determination of Propeller Thrust

14.5 Rankine-Froude Momentum Theory

14.6 Blade Element Theory

Variables

References

Chapter 15. Aircraft Drag Analysis

Abstract

15.1 Introduction

15.2 The Drag Model

15.3 Deconstructing the Drag Model: the Drag Coefficients

15.4 The Drag Characteristics of the Airplane as a Whole

15.5 Miscellaneous or Additive Drag

15.6 Special Topics Involving Drag

15.7 Additional Information – Drag of Selected Aircraft

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 16. Performance – Introduction

Abstract

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Atmospheric Modeling

16.3 The Nature of Airspeed

16.4 The Flight Envelope

16.5 Sample Aircraft

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 17. Performance – Take-Off

Abstract

17.1 Introduction

17.2 Fundamental Relations for the Take-off Run

17.3 Solving the Equation of Motion of the T-O

17.4 Database – T-O Performance of Selected Aircraft

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 18. Performance – Climb

Abstract

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Fundamental Relations for the Climb Maneuver

18.3 General Climb Analysis Methods

18.4 Aircraft Database – Rate-of-climb of Selected Aircraft

Variables

References

Chapter 19. Performance – Cruise

Abstract

19.1 Introduction

19.2 General Cruise Analysis Methods for Steady Flight

19.3 General Analysis Methods for Accelerated Flight

Variables

References

Chapter 20. Performance – Range Analysis

Abstract

20.1 Introduction

20.2 Range Analysis

20.3 Specific Range

20.4 Fundamental Relations for Endurance Analysis

20.5 Analysis of Mission Profile

Exercises

Variables

References

Chapter 21. Performance – Descent

Abstract

21.1 Introduction

21.2 Fundamental Relations for the Descent Maneuver

21.3 General Descent Analysis Methods

Variables

References

Chapter 22. Performance – Landing

Abstract

22.1 Introduction

22.2 Fundamental Relations for the Landing Phase

22.3 Database – Landing Performance of Selected Aircraft

Variables

References

Chapter 23. Miscellaneous Design Notes

Abstract

23.1 Introduction

23.2 Control Surface Sizing

23.3 General Aviation Aircraft Design Checklist

23.4 Faults and Fixes

Variables

References

Appendix A. Atmospheric Modeling

A.1 Introduction

A.2 Modeling Atmospheric Properties

References

Appendix B. The Aerospace Engineer’s Formula Sheet

B.1 Cost Analysis

B.2 Constraint Analysis

B.3 Weight Analysis

B.4 Power Plant

B.5 Wing Planform

B.6 Tail Sizing

B.7 Lift and Drag

B.8 The Propeller

B.9 The Atmosphere

B.10 Airspeeds

B.11 Take-off

B.12 Climb, Cruise, and Maneuvering Flight

B.13 Range and Endurance

Index