Mechanics of Flight [Hardcover]

Warren F. Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0471334588 | ISBN-13: 978-0471334583 | Edition: 1

Mechanics of Flight is a unique combination of theory and applications organized in a logical presentation. It affords readers extensive coverage of individual topics within flight mechanics, including overviews of aerodynamics and propulsion. It also offers a full range of modern and classical techniques for applying fundamental principles to the solution of engineering problems in fight mechanics. Mechanics of Flight explores the basic principles of flight mechanics with the help of many worked examples, starting with simple problems involving steady-level flight and building to more complex ones such as the analysis of turning flight and spins. Special coverage found here–and not in most books on the subject–includes a detailed presentation of the quaternion formulation for six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation, including treatment of efficient numerical integration methods.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Complete and accessible coverage of flight mechanics

Mechanics of Flight is a unique combination of theory and applications organized in a logical presentation. This book provides extensive coverage of individual topics within flight mechanics, including overviews of aerodynamics and propulsion. This complete instructional reference offers a full range of modern and classical techniques for applying fundamental principles to the solution of engineering problems in fight mechanics.

Mechanics of Flight explores the basic principles of flight mechanics with the help of many worked examples, starting with simple problems involving steady-level flight and building to more complex ones such as the analysis of turning flight and spins. Special coverage found here–and not in most books on the subject–includes a detailed presentation of the quaternion formulation for six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation, including treatment of efficient numerical integration methods. Students and practicing engineers who are familiar with the principles of static stability and control can begin the study of flight dynamics in Chapter 7, starting with a review of coordinate systems and notation as well as a development of the more general rigid-body equations of motion.

Mechanics of Flight is an essential volume for mechanical and aerospace engineering students and a valuable reference for practicing engineers in the aerospace industry.

About the Author

WARREN F. PHILLIPS is Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Utah State University and has more than thirty years of experience teaching engineering analysis and design. He is the author of more than fifty scientific journal publications, including thirteen Journal of Aircraft publications on aerodynamics and flight mechanics during the last four years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 984 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471334588
• ISBN-13: 978-0471334583
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,101,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you study or design aircraft, you must have this book, April 8, 2004

By 

"qjk" (Fort Worth, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanics of Flight (Hardcover)

"Mechanics of Flight" will become a classic in the aerodynamicist's library alongside Abbott and Von Doenhoff's "Theory of Wing Sections". Here's why:

* Coverage of topics in aircraft design is exhaustive. From balancing lift and weight for steady flight, on through off axis forces and moments from running propellers, to 6-dof formulas for aircraft dynamic modes, to how propeller location affects aircraft stability, and on and on. Great for both the beginner and the authority in aircraft.

* Often a completely thorough analysis including the minutest effects is presented along with a linearized or simplified method. The simplified analysis is so useful for rapid conceptual design and study of fundamentals, while the detailed analysis gives a complete grasp of the physics and phenomena involved. Plus, in simplifying a complex derivation, the reader is shown which parameters may be safely neglected and which require careful scrutiny, and what is engineering if not intelligently ignoring smaller effects to come up with a reasonable solution to a problem?

* The figures! Well thought out and consistent, the figures clearly illustrate the material.

* Actual aircraft data is used in the example and homework problems. I have a feel for the performance of several classes of aircraft simply from using this book.

* Phillips derives everything, and I mean everything using the fundamental laws of physics as the starting point. A student would be very well served to go through these derivations themselves. Phillips basically shows the student how to learn and how to think mathematically. No shortcuts here. I wish I had learned these things very early on in my own schooling.

* Phillips has included experimental data along with rigorous analytical derivation and computer numerical analysis. I believe that all three are necessary for a true understanding of fluid dynamics.

The bottom line: Buy and use this book! While it is true that the material is focused on subsonic flight, I work for a large airframer of supersonic aircraft and I find the principles and fundamentals to be extremely useful in my work. Whether you are a student or a professional, if you have an interest in aerodynamics this is THE book to use.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, May 1, 2004

By 

Mark Anderson (Ridgecrest, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanics of Flight (Hardcover)

This text provides unparalled detail in it's discussion of flight mechanics. It contains clear and concise derivations of underlying equations and has well planned figures and example problems. Subject matter includes static and dynamic stability, propulsion, lifting line theory, 6-dof flight simulation with quaternions, along with many other essential topics. I particularly appreciated the straightforward way in which Phillips applies numerical methods to solving many of the problems. The equations required are located in such a manner as to make it easy to find what you need. Though mainly geared toward subsonic flight, I have found the understanding gained through this book invaluable in the design of supersonic vehicles. This is a great book for students learning the subject for the first time and a must have for engineering professionals and aircraft enthusiasts.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, Meticulous, Comprehensive, April 9, 2004

By 

Jerome Jenkins (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanics of Flight (Hardcover)

I am an Aerospace engineer working for the Air Force. While attending the annual AIAA aerospace convention in Reno Nevada, I met a professor from Denmark who raved about the work and research of a professor local to the west, Phillips. This seasoned scholar from Denmark wouldn't miss a session if he found Phillips' name appearing in it. I picked up the "Mechanics of Flight" which was on display for the first time at that conference. Due to the mountain of topics covered (900+ pages) I can't say that I have read every line of that book but the material I studied was impressive. I've never seen such complete derivations right from F=MA. The explanations are meticulous and thorough. I coded a real-time 6-DOF flight simulator for a midsized RCAV using this book as the main reference. I've never seen such a straightforward explanation of Quaternion algebra. If there were a "bible" of flight mechanics and dynamics, I would certainly give this my vote over any other in its class.