Applied aeronautics; the airplane - Beeldbibliotheek

527090Cvll.n^in> ermglibraiyPREFACETODAY the subject of aeronautics appeals to nearly everyone, duelargely to the wonderful progress which has been made in the developmentand utility of the airplane since the beginning of the war.Although the airplane is among the most important features ofmodern warfare, yet there are comparatively few comprehensive textswhich the beginner in aviation can readily understand. In many casesthe student aviator and the aero mechanic have had but a limited technicaltraining nor have many of them been specially trained in nuithematics,particularly in the higher branches. Therefore, many of thepresent-day text-books on aeronautics, which the aeronautical engineerwould consider quite elementary, are very difficult for the beginner.Realizing the difficulty under which the beginner labors, the AirplaneEngineering Department felt that an elementary course in applied aeronauticsand practical aviation was needed, and has brought forth thisvolume with the hope of filling this need, primarily for the instructionof the men at McCook Field. This book, however, is not intended as atext on the design of airplanes, but was written solely with the thoughtof imparting a clear idea of the principles of flight, together with suchother practical information as can be applied readily by the man in theshop or in the air.The text is base