Design of aircraft

Design of aircraft is intended as a text for a senior-level (capstone) aerospace or aeronautics engineering course dealing with the conceptual design of aircraft. The approach is to demonstrate how theoretical aspects, drawn from topics on airplane aerodynamics, aircraft structures, stability and control, propulsion, and compressible flows can be applied to produce a new conceptual aircraft design. The book uses theoretical expressions wherever possible to seek optimums, but also stresses the interplay between different aspects of the design that often require compromises. As necessary, it draws on historical information to provide necessary input parameters, especially at an early stage of the design process. In addition, trends are used to provide checks on design elements to determine if they deviate too far from historical norms. A sample case study of a conceptual supersonic business jet runs through the chapters to illustrate each design step. The process of the conceptual design of an aircraft is divided into 14 elements that are covered in sequential chapters. These range from the initial design proposal to the unit cost estimate. For each element, the degree of optimization based on design drivers can be examined. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets are included for each element of the design to perform iterative or repetitive calculations, and graph results. Each chapter contains a detailed description of the spreadsheet structure for that element, so that students can easily make modifications that suit their specific designs. In addition to the case study covered throughout the chapters, the Appendix includes two complete case studies with spreadsheets, for a large transport aircraft and a small kit aircraft. The chapters also contain individual problems that are designed to examine potential optimums and sensitivity of the different design elements to input parameters. Some of these problems are "open ended" and require interpretation and discussion.