1 - Introduction

Summary

Overview

This book begins with a brief historical introduction in which our aeronautical legacy is surveyed. The historical background illustrates the human quest to conquer the sky and is manifested in a system shaping society as it stands today: in commerce, travel, and defense. Its academic outcome is to prepare the next generation for the advancement of this cause.

Some of the discussion in this chapter is based on personal experience and is shared by many of my colleagues in several countries; I do not contest any differences of opinion. Aerospace is not only multidisciplinary but also multidimensional – it may look different from varying points of view. Only this chapter is written in the first person to retain personal comments as well as for easy reading.

Current trends indicate maturing technology of the classical aeronautical sciences with diminishing returns on investment, making the industry cost-conscious. To sustain the industry, newer avenues are being searched through better manufacturing philosophies. Future trends indicate “globalization,” with multinational efforts to advance technology to be better, faster, and less expensive beyond existing limits.

What Is to Be Learned?

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Section 1.2: A brief historical background

• Section 1.3: Current design trends for civil and military aircraft

• Section 1.4: Future design trends for civil and military aircraft

• Section 1.5: The classroom learning process

• Section 1.6: Units and dimensions

• Section 1.7: The importance of cost for aircraft designers

Coursework Content

There is no classroom work in this chapter, but I recommend reading it to motivate readers to learn about our inheritance.