Introduction to Aerospace Engineering with a Flight Test Perspective

Comprehensive textbook which introduces the fundamentals of aerospace engineering with a flight test perspective

Introduction to Aerospace Engineering with a Flight Test Perspective is an introductory level text in aerospace engineering with a unique flight test perspective. Flight test, where dreams of aircraft and space vehicles actually take to the sky, is the bottom line in the application of aerospace engineering theories and principles. Designing and flying the real machines are often the reasons that these theories and principles were developed. This book provides a solid foundation in many of the fundamentals of aerospace engineering, while illuminating many aspects of real-world flight. Fundamental aerospace engineering subjects that are covered include aerodynamics, propulsion, performance, and stability and control.

Key features:

• Covers aerodynamics, propulsion, performance, and stability and control.
• Includes self-contained sections on ground and flight test techniques.
• Includes worked example problems and homework problems.
• Suitable for introductory courses on Aerospace Engineering.
• Excellent resource for courses on flight testing.

Introduction to Aerospace Engineering with a Flight Test Perspective is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students in aerospace engineering, as well as practitioners in industry. It is an exciting and illuminating read for the aviation enthusiast seeking deeper understanding of flying machines and flight test.

Stephen Corda has BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and an Aeronautics Diploma from the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium. The material for this textbook is derived from the author’s 30 years of experience as an aerospace engineer, flight test engineer, flight research pilot, and educator at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, the U.S. Naval Academy, the University of Tennessee Space Institute, and Virgin Galactic-The Spaceship Company. He is currently an aerospace engineering consultant, living in California.