RIBOLDI - Flight Dynamics. Modeling Characterization and Performance

This text offers an analytic description of the dynamic behavior of an aircraft in flight. The explanation firstly covers in detail the build up and characterization of an analytic model for aircraft in flight. The proposed derivation process allows the reader to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the principles and assumptions employed in the obtainment of the equations describing the dynamic response of an aircraft, in parallel yielding suggestions on how to easily obtain models for other flying machines. Secondly, the model representing aircraft dynamics is populated, employing as much as possible additional simple models, linking basic aerodynamic and geometrical characteristics of an aircraft to the corresponding representation in terms of coefficients. Finally, the dynamic performance of a typical aircraft is analyzed, making use of the notions on the dynamic behavior and on the typical values and balance of aircraft-specific coefficients. In this latter part, following an analysis of a equilibrium conditions, static and dynamic stability qualities are analyzed. An introduction to the conditioning of free dynamics through the design of a stability augmentation system is included as well.

This book aims to support engineers as well as engineering students at the graduate level, offering a concise yet in-depth description of the dynamic behavior of a flying aircraft, trying to keep a rigorous approach to a greater extent than what is usual in the field. This should hopefully foster the comprehension of the key features in the model derivation process, and consequently the range of validity and applicability of the corresponding formulation. This focus on analytic modeling provides the reader with a key-asset when dealing with engineering problems, for example flight simulation, model identification and flight control design. Therefore, the present books attempts to mark a first relevant step in consolidating the notions required to face more specialized topics in aeronautical engineering.

CARLO E.D. RIBOLDI obtained a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Politecnico di Mila- no in 2012, where he is currently faculty member at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology. Since then, he has been lecturing in undergraduate and graduate courses on flight dynamics and aircraft design. His recent research activities include design methodologies for aircraft featuring novel propulsion systems, accurate dynamic simulation and practical automatic flight control design for diverse flying craft (including missiles and airships). He has authored and co-authored around 100 journal and conference papers in his research fields, as well as an introductory book on aircraft dynamics. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, with a special interest for the history of aeronautics, he holds a pilot’s license since 2013, and he currently flies in the general aviation category.