This valuable volume offers a systematic approach to flight vehicle system identification and exhaustively covers the time domain methodology. It addresses in detail the theoretical and practical aspects of various parameter estimation methods, including those in the stochastic framework and focusing on nonlinear models, cost functions, optimization methods, and residual analysis. A pragmatic and balanced account of pros and cons in each case is provided. The book also presents data gathering and model validation, and covers both large-scale systems and high-fidelity modeling. Real world problems dealing with a variety of flight vehicle applications are addressed and solutions are provided. Examples encompass such problems as estimation of aerodynamics, stability, and control derivatives from flight data, flight path reconstruction, nonlinearities in control surface effectiveness, stall hysteresis, unstable aircraft, and other critical considerations.

Summary: A technical method is given for calculating the axial interference velocity of a propeller. The method involves the use of certain weight functions P, Q, and F. Numerical values for the weight functions are given for two-blade, three-blade, and six-blade propellers.

Distributed propulsion technology is one of the revolutionary candidates for future aircraft propulsion. In this book, which serves as the very first reference book on distributed propulsion technology, the potential role of distributed propulsion technology in future aviation is investigated. Following a historical journey that revisits distributed propulsion technology in unmanned air vehicles, commercial aircrafts, and military aircrafts, features of this specific technology are highlighted in synergy with an electric aircraft concept and a first-of-its-kind comparison between commercial and military aircrafts employing distributed propulsion arrangements. In light of propulsionairframe integration and complementary technologies, such as boundary layer ingestion, thrust vectoring and circulation control, transpired opportunities and challenges are addressed in addition to a number of identified research directions proposed for future aircrafts. Moreover, a diverse set of distributed propulsion arrangements are considered. These include: small engines, gas-driven multi-fan architectures, turboelectric systems featuring superconductive and non-superconducting electrical machine technology, and electromagnetic fans. This book features contributions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Air Force (USAF), and includes the first proposed official definition for distributed propulsion technology in subsonic fixed wing aircrafts.