Classical aerodynamics is a compulsory study subject for pilots at all levels of experience. Propeller Aerodynamics is a subset of this fascinating subject. Propellers have their unique aerodynamic terminology, forces and handling requirements, knowledge of which all pilots must be aware of to safely handle the aircraft they are flying. Incorrect propeller handling can cause damage to the aircraft and reduce performance efficiency. Most aerodynamic text books only give a brief view of propeller aerodynamics; however this book Propeller Aerodynamics delves more deeply into this subject. The book covers the history and operation of aircraft propellers, prop pitch, thrust, efficiency, aircraft stability, prop forces, constant-speed units and more. This is all essential reading for the pilot progressing to more advanced high-performance aircraft.

An extremely practical overview of V/STOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing) aerodynamics, this volume offers a presentation of general theoretical and applied aerodynamic principles, covering propeller and helicopter rotor theory for both the static and forward flight cases. Both a text for students and a reference for professionals, the book can be used for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses. Numerous detailed figures, plus exercises. 1967 edition. Preface. Appendix. Index.

The Encyclopedia of Aerodynamics was written for pilots at all levels from private pilot to airline pilot, military pilots and students of aerodynamics as a complete reference manual to aerodynamic terminology. General aerodynamic text books for pilots are relatively limited in their scope while aerodynamic text books for engineering students involve complex calculus. The references in this book, The Encyclopedia of Aerodynamics, are clearly described and only basic algebra is used in a few references but is completely devoid of any calculus - an advantage to many readers. Over 1400 references are included with alternative terms used where appropriate and cross-referenced throughout. The text is illustrated with 178 photographs and 96 diagrams. The Encyclopedia of Aerodynamics is an ideal aerodynamic reference manual for any pilot's bookshelf.

A summary is made of the state of the art of propeller-whirl flutter -- a precession-type instability that can occur on a flexibly mounted aircraft engine-propeller combination. This report reviews the literature relating to this problem from the time it first became of concern on conventional turboprop and V/STOL aircraft. Included in the survey are a description of the basic mechanism of whirl flutter, a summary of generalized trend studies on idealized systems, the status of methods for predicting propeller aerodynamic coefficients, the effects of flapping hinged blades and twisted flexible blades on whirl flutter, and some approaches for including propeller whirl modes as a part of the flutter evaluation for complete aircraft. Also, brief consideration is given to the response of flexibly mounted propeller-nacelle systems to random atmospheric turbulence. Whirl flutter of conventional propeller-nacelle systems is now a reasonably well understood phenomenon and amenable to analysis. For propeller-rotor systems with flapping blades, however, comparisons between experiment and theory suggest the need for further refinements in the mathematical model.

Currently, the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions is considered as the state-of-the-art in the modeling of unsteady nonlinear flow physics and offers an early and improved understanding of air vehicle aerodynamics and stability and control characteristics. This Special Issue covers recent computational efforts on simulation of aerospace vehicles including fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, propeller driven vehicles, unmanned vehicle, projectiles, and air drop configurations. The complex flow physics of these configurations pose significant challenges in CFD modeling. Some of these challenges include prediction of vortical flows and shock waves, rapid maneuvering aircraft with fast moving control surfaces, and interactions between propellers and wing, fluid and structure, boundary layer and shock waves. Additional topic of interest in this Special Issue is the use of CFD tools in aircraft design and flight mechanics. The problem with these applications is the computational cost involved, particularly if this is viewed as a brute-force calculation of vehicle’s aerodynamics through its flight envelope. To make progress in routinely using of CFD in aircraft design, methods based on sampling, model updating and system identification should be considered.

An international community of specialists reinvented the propeller during the Aeronautical Revolution, a vibrant period of innovation in North America and Europe from World War I to the end of World War II. They experienced both success and failure as they created competing designs that enabled increasingly sophisticated and 'modern' commercial and military aircraft to climb quicker and cruise faster using less power. Reinventing the Propeller nimbly moves from the minds of these inventors to their drawing boards, workshops, research and development facilities, and factories, and then shows us how their work performed in the air, both commercially and militarily. Reinventing the Propeller documents this story of a forgotten technology to reveal new perspectives on engineering, research and development, design, and the multi-layered social, cultural, financial, commercial, industrial, and military infrastructure of aviation.