Flight Theory and Aerodynamics: A Practical Guide for Operational Safety, 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

Charles E. Dole (Author), James E. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471370061 | ISBN-13: 978-0471370062 | Publication Date: April 19, 2000 | Edition: 2

The classic text for pilots on flight theory and aerodynamics now in an updated Second Edition

Flight Theory and Aerodynamics, the basic aeronautics text used by the United States Air Force in their Flying Safety Officer course, is the book that brings the science of flight into the cockpit. Designed for the student with little engineering or mathematical background, the book outlines the basic principles of aerodynamics and physics, using only a minimal amount of high school level algebra and trigonometry necessary to illustrate key concepts.

This expanded seventeen chapter Second Edition reflects the cutting edge of aeronautic theory and practice, and has been revised, reorganized, and updated with 30% new information including a new chapter on helicopter flight. Central to the book s structure is a clear description of aeronautic basics what lifts and drives an aircraft, and what forces work for and against it all detailed in the context of the design and analysis of today s aircraft systems:
* Atmosphere and airspeed measurement
* Airfoils and aerodynamic forces
* Lift and drag
* Jet aircraft basic and applied performance
* Prop aircraft basic and applied performance
* Slow and high-speed flight
* Takeoff, landing, and maneuvering performance


The book s practical, self-study format includes problems at the end of each chapter, with answers at the back of the book, as well as chapter-end summaries of symbols and equations. An ideal text for the USN Aviation Safety Officer and the USAAA s Aviation Safety Officer courses, as well as for professional pilots, student pilots, and flying safety personnel, Flight Theory and Aerodynamics is a complete and accessible guide to the subject, updated for the new millennium.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A guide to the theory and practical application of aerodynamics as it relates to flying an airplane. Outlines relevant principles of physics and aerodynamics with a minimal amount of algebra and trigonometry. Each section includes practical exercises, a summary of symbols, and a summary of equations. Geared towards non-engineering personnel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

This basic text in aeronautics for students of aviation safety approaches the subject from the pilot’s rather than the engineer’s viewpoint, unlike most other books in the field. It explains, as simply as possible, the theory and practical application of aeronautical principles in terms that both professional and non-professional pilots can readily understand. The mathematics is restricted to the level of high school algebra and trigonometry, and is kept to the minimum required to illustrate applications of the basic concepts presented. The author has drawn his material from courses he has taught in Flying Safety over the past eighteen years. He has taught thousands of Air Force, Army, Navy and many foreign Air Force pilots. The vast majority of these students did not have an engineering background. The first two chapters cover the basic concepts of aerodynamic principles and the construction of the thrust-required curves. Chapter 3 expands these basic principles and applies them to both thrust-producing and power-producing aircraft. The causes of many slow-speed aircraft accidents are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 discusses the problems of takeoffs and landings and the accelerations encountered during these phases of flight. Chapter 6 covers maneuvering flight. Chapter 7 explores high-speed flight in the transonic and supersonic speed regions. Static and dynamic stability and control of aircraft are analyzed in Chapter 8. There are problems at the end of each chapter, with answers given at the back of the book. The basic philosophy underlying this clear text can be stated as follows: "Any well-coordinated, intelligent person can be taught to fly an airplane—but a basic understanding of the aerodynamic principles involved will help the pilot to be a safer operator and help avoid the pitfalls that often lead to disaster." To this end, the author applies the understanding method rather than the do-it-this-way-because-I-say-so method of learning that is so often used in flight training. Flight Theory and Aerodynamics is currently used as the basic text for the USAF Flying Safety Officer courses. It can be used by the U.S.N. Aviation Safety Officer course, the USAAA’s Aviation Safety Officer course, and as a text for professional pilots and flying safety personnel. By promoting a better understanding of technical problems, aviation mishaps can be reduced. Any competent instructor, with the aid of Charles E. Dole’s book, should be able to design a course in basic aerodynamics that requires from 8 to 40 (present USAF requirement) classroom hours of instruction. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 2 edition (April 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471370061
• ISBN-13: 978-0471370062
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for flight professionals, November 10, 2000

By 

Dr Albert Gomez, PhD (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flight Theory and Aerodynamics: A Practical Guide for Operational Safety, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This text offers an algegraic approach to basic aerodynamics, air craft performance, plus limited coverage of helicopters. The chapters are now managebable for use in a college level introductory aerodynamics course primarily geared toward flight students, in any of the new emerging college curriculum. The book's organization has improved significantly over the first edition. The text is easy to read with good practical examples but there is a level of sophistication above most of the other aerodynamics texts geared for pilots. Practicing aviation professionals will also gain from use of this text. In short, I would say that the book is ideal for college level aviation programs and practicing aviation professionals.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic guidance for aerodynamics theory, August 24, 2000

By 

song yoon seob (iksan, chonbuk Korea (South)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flight Theory and Aerodynamics: A Practical Guide for Operational Safety, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

In short, this new volume is an excellent introduction to the aerodynamics of aircraft. This book could well serve as an introductory text for those entering the study aeronautical engineering student, engineers, pilots, publics. The author explains the subject of aerodynamics in concise languages. So very easy to read. It will not only help you fly more safely and get more performance out of your aircraft, but also increase the aerodynamic knowledge greatly and easily. This book well illustrated and nicely developed the physical phenomena with good photo, drawings, and understandable curves. If you're interested in understanding the principles of aerodynamics and aircraft design, this outstanding source book is the place to turn! Whether you're a pilot, technician, flight student, or kitbuilder, a knowledge of basic aerodynamics is essentials. The new material covers all the important topics needed for the complete understanding of aircraft flight dynamics. These topics included the basic concepts for the mechanics and aerodynamics, aircraft performance, low and high speed flight, takeoff and landing performance, maneuvers, stability and control. In addition, this book includes a convenient question-and answer helpful for anyone studing aeronautical engineering. "Flight theory and aerodynamics-2nd edition", you'll have all the information you need to fully comprehend this complex, yet fascinating, scinece!

1.0 out of 5 stars Misrepresented book, May 25, 2010

By 

Teddy Mekonnen "Teddymekonnen" (woodbridge,VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flight Theory and Aerodynamics: A Practical Guide for Operational Safety (Paperback)

Flight Theory and Aerodynamics: A Practical Guide for Operational Safety

When I was originally browsing amazon.com for books on this subject I came across this book and clicked on the "Click here to look inside " link and chose the table of contents view and read through it and liked what I saw.I then placed the order believing that this was the book I was going to get. When I received the order though It was an earlier version of the book with a considerably different table of contents. To be specific it does not have the chapters covering Jet airplanes and helicopters and others. When I went back to the Amazon web site and checked, I saw that the "look inside link" is actually for a the 2nd edition of the book which is significantly different.Just for my curiosity,I tried to see if a table of contents for the older edition I received is available on the Amazon site and could not find any. I consider this a misrepresentation of a product and very misleading and unfair on Amazon's part.