Document Type: Book (Technical Reference). Purpose: Informational. Authority: Author Expertise.

Scope: First edition of a technical monograph written for an educated audience by "Charles Hugh Chatfield, S.M. and Charles Fayette Taylor, M. E. (Associate Professors in the Course in Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)."

From the Preface: "Such a large number and such a wide variety of books on aeronautical subjects are now being published that the authors of this volume feel that an explanation for adding to the already imposing list may not be out of place.

It appears to us that there has been a distinct gap in aeronautical literature between the purely popular on the one hand, and the highly technical on the other. The first appeals to those interested in the romantic side of aviation, who are eager for stories of famous flights and aviators, and for illustrations of many airplanes, without much regard to their importance as representative types. The other class of books is intended for the technical student, the trained designer, or the highly specialized mechanic, and is therefore of little interest to the general reader. As in everyday life, the multitude ane ee are well provided for, while the "middle class" is largely forgotten.

The present volume is intended primarily for the intelligent middle-class aeronautical readers that is, for persons interested in acquiring a sound knowledge of the basic facts and theories of the airplane-who still do not desire to give to the subject the intensive study which is essential for the designing engineer or the expert mechanic.

It has been our aim to avoid the use of any but the simplest mathematics, and to require of our readers only such knowledge of physics and mechanics as is acquired in the first two or three years of a high-school course.

For the sake of brevity we have confined ourselves strictly to the modern airplane, avoiding the historical as being of less interest than the contemporary, and omitting all discussion of other types of aircraft, which at present are of secondary importance. We have not attempted to enlarge on the art of piloting, for we believe that this can be learned only by actual practice, nor have we dealt with methods of aircraft operation and maintenance, as these are subjects for the specialist.

No claim is made for originality. What we have related is part of the general knowledge of all aeronautical engineers, and most of it can be found in many places in their writings.

We wish to express our appreciation of the assistance afforded us in the shape of illustrations and data by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the Air Corps, U.S. A., the Bureau of Aeronautics, U. S. N., and many manufacturers.

We are indebted to several members of the aeronautics staff at the Institute for information and helpful suggestions, and particularly to Mr. Manfred Rauscher, who also made the diagrams and calculations in the chapters devoted to the airplane.

Our thanks are due also to Mr. Frank M. Bondor, one of our graduate students, who made most of the power plant drawings and diagrams.

The faithful and intelligent assistance of our secretary, Miss Carolyn P. Butts, has been of the greatest value, as has been also the cooperation of the publisher's staff. CHARLES H. CHATFIELD C. FAYETTE TAYLOR

September 1928"

Contents (from Table of Contents): PREFACE

I. THE ESSENTIAL PARTS OF THE AIRPLANE II. THE WING III. AIRFOIL MODIFICATIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS IV. PARASITE RESISTANCE, FUSELAGE AND LANDING GEAR V. STABILITY AND CONTROL VI. THE AIRPLANE ENGINE VII. THE AIRPLANE ENGINE (Continued) VIII. THE PROPELLER IX. THE COMPLETE POWER PLANT X. AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE XI. AIRPLANE MANEUVERS XII. AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION XIII. THE SEAPLANE AND THE AMPHIBIAN XIV. THE COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE XV. MILITARY AIRPLANES XVI. SPECIAL TYPES OF AIRPLANES XVII. AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES

INDEX"