Exercises and Problems of Basic Aerodynamics (with solution codes in Python or Fortran)

This workbook is the companion volume to the Fundamental Aerodynamics textbook.

Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and know-how, it is aimed at Master's students, engineering students and even professional engineers who wish to learn how to solve very concrete aerodynamic problems, either analytically or numerically. Some relatively complex problems are aimed at post-graduate students or researchers who need aerodynamic reference data for their research activities. On the other hand, some exercises are suitable for undergraduates and preparatory classes. We also hope that this book and the codes provided can be used by teachers to prepare tutorials, practical work, projects or exams. Any pilot or aeronautics enthusiast will also be able to pick up information or data from it.

Each chapter includes reminders, statements and detailed answers. Numerous diagrams, figures and tables help to visualize and quantify the data and results associated with the various theoretical or numerical approaches.

Through the 120 or so exercises and problems presented, this book enables you to apply and understand the various theories in all flight regimes: low speeds during landing or take-off, medium speeds during subsonic or supersonic cruise flight, and very high hypersonic speeds during atmospheric re-entry of spacecraft.

A unique software suite (under Linux and Windows), freely accessible on GitHub, comprising code in Python, Fortran, Matlab and Maple, enables users to find the solutions to 95 of the topics, or to carry out their own aerodynamic developments or projects. It does, however, require some knowledge of programming and computing in general.

Introduction

1 - Local conservation and evolution equations

2 - Mathematical models for aerodynamics

3 - Theory of complex potentials: application to airfoils

4 - Linearized thin airfoil theory

5 - Lanchester-Prandtl airfoil theory

6 - Theory of lifting surfaces and slender bodies

7 - Numerical aspects: method of singularities

8 - Subsonic and transsonic compressible flows

9 - Linearized supersonic flows

10 - One-dimensional compressible flows

11 - Two-dimensional supersonic flows

12 - Characteristic methods in stationary and unsteady regimes

13 - Slender bodies in supersonic flows

14 - Hypersonic flows

15 - Viscous effects and boundary layer

Bibliography

Appendix 1: Newton's algorithm

Appendix 2: 1976 standard atmosphere

Table of contents