This book provides an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of civil and military aircraft design. Giving a largely descriptive overview of all aspects of the design process, this well-illustrated account provides an insight into the requirements of each specialist in an aircraft design team. After discussing the need for new designs, the text assesses the merits of different aircraft shapes from micro-lights and helicopters to super-jumbos and V/STOL aircraft. Following chapters explore structures, airframe systems, avionics and weapons systems. Later chapters examine the costs involved in the acquisition and operation of new aircraft, aircraft reliability and maintainability, and a variety of unsuccessful projects to see what conclusions can be drawn. Three appendices and a bibliography give a wealth of useful information, much not published elsewhere, including simple aerodynamic formulae, aircraft, engine and equipment data and a detailed description of a parametric study of a 500-seat transport aircraft.

‘This book is very helpful for students and young design engineers as well as for aeronautical enthusiasts who intend to get a complete overview of all types of aircraft, their specific design considerations, the basic principles and why aircraft programmes in the past have been successful or failed.’

Source: Aircraft Design

‘ … this is a book intended as an ‘introduction’ to the whole field of aircraft design. It sets out to answer significant design questions such as ‘Why design a new aircraft? Why is it that shape? What is under the skin? … of value to undergraduate and graduate aeronautical enginnering students and professionals working in the aerospace industry.’

Source: Air International