Introduction to Aerodynamics [Hardcover]

Gale Craig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2003

INTRODUCTION TO AERODYNAMICS applies to existing need in the void between simplistic flight explanations for public school students and mathematically complex publications for aeronautical professionals.

The 224 page book with 167 illustrations begins with applicable principles of Newtonian physics presented in aerodynamics context, and progresses into more aerodynamics in Newtonian terms of air mass interaction with aircraft surfaces. Airplanes, autogyros, helicopters and surface effect planes are all discussed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Gale Craig is retired from a General Motors career in research and product development. He holds a Masters Degree in Physics, license to teach physics and mathematics, and is a licensed pilot who owns and flies a Cessna 182. He is named as sole inventor in sixteen U.S. Patents in areas of gas turbine engines, electronics, fuel cells and automotive lighting.

Finding popular explanations of flight inadequate and misleading, he created this publication for others seeking more plausible explanations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Regenerative Press (January 12, 2003)
• ISBN-10: 0964680637
• ISBN-13: 978-0964680630
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book of Flight Based on Newtonian Mechanics, February 17, 2006

By 

Michael Freen (Jacksonville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Aerodynamics (Hardcover)

What everyone needs to remember is that all of classical physics are based on Newton's Laws of Motion. While energy and momentum are different, they are intimately related. While you can change the momentum of an object, without changing its energy, and you can change the energy of an object without changing its momentum....You Need a source of energy to affect a change in momentum, and you need a source of momentum to change the energy. The total momentum of a gun/bullet system is zero. However, the bullet does not just fly out of the gun on its own. It takes the release of energy in the gunpowder to change the momentum of the BULLET, while the momentum of the gun changes in the opposite direction.

Mr Craig does a great job re-stating that Newtonian Mechanics is what physics is based on. Even in advanced engineering text, Bernoulli's Equation is derived from F=MA. F=MA applied to a fluid element leads to the Euler equation, which when integrated comes out to Bernoulli's equation. Again, in advanced engineering books it is often stated that Euler applied Newtonian Mechanics to fluids. Another thing to remember is that there is only two ways for a fluid medium to communicate forces to object imersed in it...pressure and friction. Regardless of how complex the flow field, these are the only two ways nature has of generating forces...Forces which obey obviously Newton's Laws. Craig at no time tries to discredit Bernoulli's Principle, all he does is show that its roots lay in Newtonian Mechanics, which is what advanced engineering text also do. This book is an excellent, common sense, practical approach to flight theory.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Aero Book Out There, September 26, 2006

By 

Thomas Nalevanko - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Aerodynamics (Hardcover)

I have read quite a few aero books and while these sometime explain aspects of aerodynamics like lift, drag, etc in an understandable manner, this book is the only one that I found that explains aero actions and phenomenon using simple and basic force/pressure and acceleration concepts (Newtons Laws). Moreover the author ties it all together with a string of simply basic concepts using real airplane examples. No matter if you are going to be a weekend flyer, an astronaut or an aspiring aircraft designer, this book will truly offer you the understanding to fly into the future.

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Aerodynamics, September 22, 2010

By 

gigafriend - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Aerodynamics (Hardcover)

This book is one of the few books on this subject at all, dealing with aerodinamics on this specific level in that way, as it should be done. Time has come to stop bad teaching as it is done in most of todays books on the market.Student pilots and the rest of the comunity deserve to learn the truth on the laws of nature.
Mr. Craig, well done.
Gigafriend