A small-scale, instrumented research aircraft was flown to investigate the flight characteristics of inflatable wings. Ground tests measured the static structural characteristics of the wing at different inflation pressures, and these results compared favorably with analytical predictions. A research-quality instrumentation system was assembled, largely from commercial off-the-shelf components, and installed in the aircraft. Initial flight operations were conducted with a conventional rigid wing having the same dimensions as the inflatable wing. Subsequent flights were conducted with the inflatable wing. Research maneuvers were executed to identify the trim, aerodynamic performance, and longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the vehicle in its different wing configurations. For the angle-of-attack range spanned in this flight program.

Based on a 15-year successful approach to teaching aircraft flight mechanics at the US Air Force Academy, this text explains the concepts and derivations of equations for aircraft flight mechanics. It covers aircraft performance, static stability, aircraft dynamics stability and feedback control.

Learn the design and analysis of numerical algorithms for aerodynamics. Ideal for graduates, researchers, and professionals in the field.

This book covers state-of-the-art optimization methods and their applications in wide range especially for researchers and practitioners who wish to improve their knowledge in this field. It consists of 13 chapters divided into two parts: (I) Engineering applications, which presents some new applications of different methods, and (II) Applications in various areas, where recent contributions of state-of-the-art optimization methods to diverse fields are presented.