This text contains an integrated bound-in CD-ROM, and has a strong emphasis on design. Its active visual approach and inclusion of space-orientated engineering make it an interesting examination of the aerospace engineering field.

This riveting work of investigative reporting and history exposes classified government projects to build gravity-defying aircraft--which have an uncanny resemblance to flying saucers. The atomic bomb was not the only project to occupy government scientists in the 1940s. Antigravity technology, originally spearheaded by scientists in Nazi Germany, was another high priority, one that still may be in effect today. Now for the first time, a reporter with an unprecedented access to key sources in the intelligence and military communities reveals suppressed evidence that tells the story of a quest for a discovery that could prove as powerful as the A-bomb. The Hunt for Zero Point explores the scientific speculation that a "zero point" of gravity exists in the universe and can be replicated here on Earth. The pressure to be the first nation to harness gravity is immense, as it means having the ability to build military planes of unlimited speed and range, along with the most deadly weaponry the world has ever seen. The ideal shape for a gravity-defying vehicle happens to be a perfect disk, making antigravity tests a possible explanation for the numerous UFO sightings of the past 50 years. Chronicling the origins of antigravity research in the world's most advanced research facility, which was operated by the Third Reich during World War II, The Hunt for Zero Point traces U.S. involvement in the project, beginning with the recruitment of former Nazi scientists after the war. Drawn from interviews with those involved with the research and who visited labs in Europe and the United States, The Hunt for Zero Point journeys to the heart of the twentieth century's most puzzling unexplained phenomena.

This is the story of the work of the original NASA space pioneers; men and women who were suddenly organized in 1958 from the then National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) into the Space Task Group. A relatively small group, they developed the initial mission concept plans and procedures for the U. S. space program. Then they boldly built hardware and facilities to accomplish those missions. The group existed only three years before they were transferred to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, in 1962, but their organization left a large mark on what would follow.Von Ehrenfried's personal experience with the STG at Langley uniquely positions him to describe the way the group was structured and how it reacted to the new demands of a post-Sputnik era. He artfully analyzes how the growing space program was managed and what techniques enabled it to develop so quickly from an operations perspective. The result is a fascinating window into history, amply backed up by first person documentation and interviews.

Provides a broad and accessible introduction to the field of aerospace engineering, ideal for semester-long courses Aerospace engineering, the field of engineering focused on the development of aircraft and spacecraft, is taught at universities in both dedicated aerospace engineering programs as well as in wider mechanical engineering curriculums around the world-yet accessible introductory textbooks covering all essential areas of the subject are rare. Filling this significant gap in the market, Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Basic Principles of Flight provides beginning students with a strong foundational knowledge of the key concepts they will further explore as they advance through their studies. Designed to align with the curriculum of a single-semester course, this comprehensive textbook offers a student-friendly presentation that combines the theoretical and practical aspects of aerospace engineering. Clear and concise chapters cover the laws of aerodynamics, pressure, and atmospheric modeling, aircraft configurations, the forces of flight, stability and control, rockets, propulsion, and more. Detailed illustrations, well-defined equations, end-of-chapter summaries, and ample review questions throughout the text ensure students understand the core topics of aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, and aircraft performance. Drawn from the author’s thirty years’ experience teaching the subject to countless numbers of university students, this much-needed textbook: Explains basic vocabulary and fundamental aerodynamic concepts Describes aircraft configurations, low-speed aerofoils, high-lift devices, and rockets Covers essential topics including thrust, propulsion, performance, maneuvers, and stability and control Introduces each topic in a concise and straightforward manner as students are guided through progressively more advanced material Includes access to companion website containing a solutions manual and lecture slides for instructors Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Basic Principles of Flight is the perfect "one stop" textbook for instructors, undergraduates, and graduate students in Introduction to Aerospace Engineering or Introduction to Flight courses in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering programs.

Aircraft Performance: An Engineering Approach introduces flight performance analysis techniques that enable readers to determine performance and flight capabilities of aircraft. Flight performance analysis for prop-driven and jet aircraft is explored, supported by examples and illustrations, many in full color. MATLAB programming for performance analysis is included, and coverage of modern aircraft types is emphasized. The text builds a strong foundation for advanced coursework in aircraft design and performance analysis.

With the development of supersonic aircraft, the X-plane era ushered in a new and challenging phase of flight. Researchers found that much of the knowledge accumulated from the previous, subsonic flight era did not apply to the emerging supersonic aircraft. These turbojet-powered planes also outpaced the usefulness of the wind tunnel, previously an indispensible tool of aeronautic research.This book explores the development of the X-series research aircraft, the planes that helped bridge the gap between subsonic flight and hypersonic flight.

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.

Aircraft PERFORMANCE STRAIGHTFORWARD METHODS TO DESIGN AND OPERATE AIRCRAFT TO MEET PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Aircraft Performance sets forth a group of tested and proven methods needed to determine the performance of an aircraft. The central theme of this book is the energy method, which enhances understanding of the standard methods and provides accessibility to advanced topics. As a result, readers gain a thorough understanding of the performance issues involved in operating an aircraft in an efficient and economic manner. While covering all the standard topics—level and climbing flight, range and endurance, take-off and landing, and maneuvering flight—the book focuses on the energy methods applied to path performance analysis. Throughout the text, numerous examples from both the commercial and military sectors show readers how the concepts and calculations are applied to real-life situations. Problems, ranging from basic to complex, test the readers’ understanding and provide an opportunity for essential practice. To help focus the readers’ attention on core issues, this text assumes that aerodynamics and propulsion are known inputs. Special appendices are provided to present some aerodynamic and propulsive equations and data. In general, topics are separated into horizontal and vertical plane approaches. Following an introduction and overview, basic energy concepts are employed to obtain a fundamental performance equation. This text, with its extensive use of examples and problem sets, is ideal for upper- level undergraduate and graduate students in engineering. It also serves as a reference for design engineers in both military and industrial sectors who want a set of clear and reliable methods to calculate aircraft performance.