The X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Demonstrator was unique among experimental aircraft. A joint effort of the United States and Germany, the X-31 was the only X-plane to be designed, manufactured, and flight tested as an international collaboration. It was also the only X-plane to support two separate test programs conducted years apart, one administered largely by NASA and the other by the U.S. Navy, as well as the first X-plane ever to perform at the Paris Air Show. Flying Beyond the Stall begins by describing the government agencies and private-sector industries involved in the X-31 program, the genesis of the supermaneuverability concept and its initial design breakthroughs, design and fabrication of two test airframes, preparation for the X-31's first flight, and the first flights of Ship #1 and Ship #2. Subsequent chapters discuss envelope expansion, handling qualities (especially at high angles of attack), and flight with vectored thrust. The book then turns to the program's move to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and actual flight test data. Additional tasking, such as helmet-mounted display evaluations, handling quality studies, aerodynamic parameter estimation, and a "tailless" study are also discussed.The book describes how, in the aftermath of a disastrous accident with Ship #1 in 1995, Ship #2 was prepared for its outstanding participation in the Paris Air Show. The aircraft was then shipped back to Edwards AFB and put into storage until the late 1990s, when it was refurbished for participation in the U. S. Navy's VECTOR program. The book ends with a comprehensive discussion of lessons learned and includes an Appendix containing detailed information.

Aircraft Performance: An Engineering Approach, Second Edition introduces flight performance analysis techniques of fixed-wing air vehicles, particularly heavier-than-aircraft. It covers maximum speed, absolute ceiling, rate of climb, range, endurance, turn performance, and takeoff run. Enabling the reader to analyze the performance and flight capabilities of an aircraft by utilizing only the aircraft weight data, geometry, and engine characteristics, this book covers the flight performance analysis for both propeller-driven and jet aircraft. The second edition features new content on vertical takeoff and landing, UAV launch, UAV recovery, use of rocket engine as the main engine, range for electric aircraft, electric engine, endurance for electric aircraft, gliding flight, pull-up, and climb-turn. In addition, this book includes end-of-chapter problems, MATLAB® code and examples, and case studies to enhance and reinforce student understanding. This book is intended for senior undergraduate aerospace students taking courses in Aircraft Performance, Flight Dynamics, and Flight Mechanics. Instructors will be able to utilize an updated Solutions Manual and Figure Slides for their course.

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.