Russell J.B. Performance and Stability of Aircraft

Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996. — 294 p. — ISBN10: 0340631708, ISBN13: 9780340631706.The performance, stability, control and response of aircraft are key areas of aeronautical engineering. This book provides a comprehensive overview to the underlying theory and application of what are often perceived to be difficult topics.Initially it introduces the reader to the fundamental concepts underlying performance and stability, including lift characteristics and estimation of drag, before moving on to a more detailed analysis of performance in both level and climbing flight. Pitching motion is then described followed by a detailed discussion of all aspects of both lateral and longitudinal stability and response. It finishes with an examination of inertial cross-coupling and automatic control and stabilization. The student is helped to think in three dimensions throughout the book by the use of illustrative examples. The progression from one degree of freedom to six degrees of freedom is gradually introduced. The result is an approach dealing specifically with all aspects of performance, stability and control that fills a gap in the current literature. It will be essential reading for all those embarking on degree level courses in aeronautical engineering and will be of interest to all with an interest in stability and dynamics, including those in commercial flying schools who require an insight into the performance of their aircraft.Ideal for undergraduate aeronautical engineers.
Three-dimensional thinking introduced through worked examples and simple situations.Note to undergraduate students.The travelling species.
General assumptions.
Basic properties of major aircraft components.
Engine characteristics.
Standard atmospheres.
Student problems.
Background reading.
Performance in level flight.The balance of forces.
Minimum drag and power in level flight.
Shaft and equivalent powers for turboprop engines.
Maximum speed and level acceleration.
Worked example.
Range and endurance.
Incremental performance.
Student problems.
Performance- other flight manoeuvres.Steady gliding flight.
Climbing flight, the 'Performance Equation'.
Correctly banked level turns.
Take-off and landing.
Student problems.
Introduction to stability and control.
Aims of study.
First thoughts on stability.
Controls.
Student problem.
Elementary treatment of pitching motion.Modeling an aircraft in slow pitching motion.
Trim.
Static stability.
Actions required to change speed.
Manoeuvre stability.
The centre of gravity range and airworthiness considerations.
Some further matters.
Student problems.
Lateral static stability and control.Simple lateral aerodynamics.
Aileron and rudder controls.
Sideslip.
Effect of rate of yaw.
Trimmed lateral manoeuvres.
Static stability.
Student problem.
Revision and extension of dynamics.Some simple aircraft motions.
'Standard' form for second-order equation.
Dynamics using moving axes.
State-space description.
Student problems.
Background reading.
Equations of motion of a rigid aircraft.Some preliminary assumptions.
Orientation.
Development of the equations.
Dimensional stability equations.
Concise, normalized and nondimensional stability equations.
Student problems.
Longitudinal dynamic stability.General remarks on stability derivatives.
Solution of the longitudinal equations.
Discussion of the longitudinal modes.
Student problems.
Longitudinal response.Response to elevator movement.
Response to gusts.
Student problems.
Lateral dynamic stability and response.Lateral stability and derivatives.
Solution of !ateral equations.
Discussion of the lateral modes.
Effects of speed.
Stability diagrams and some design implications.
Control and response.
Lateral handling and flying requirements.
Appendix: Solution of lateral quintic using a spreadsheet.
Student problems.
Effects of inertial cross-coupling.Roll-yaw and roll-pitch inertia coupling.
Other inertial coupling problems.
Design, development and airworthiness implications.
Introduction to automatic control and stabilization.'Open loop' and 'closed loop' systems, the feedback principle.
General theory of simple systems.
Methods of design.
Modern developments.
Student problems.
Appendix A: Aircraft moments of inertia.
Answers to problems.Further reading.