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Table of Contents

Many aeronautical books of a purely descriptive nature have been written for the average man, but as a rule they contain little of interest for the more serious student of the subject. Other books of a highly technical and mathematical class have also been published, but their contents are all but unintelligible to anyone but a trained engineer. It is the purpose of the author to compromise between these two extremes, and give only that part of the theory and description that will be of practical use for the builder and flyer. The scope of the subjects covered in this volume has been suggested by the questions asked by students and clients, and is the result of many years' correspondence with beginner aviators and amateur aeroplane builders.

I have endeavored to explain the principles of the aeroplane in simple, concise language, starting with the most elementary ideas of flight and finishing with the complete calculations for the surfaces, power, weight, etc. When mathematical operations are necessary they are simple in form, and are accompanied by practical problems worked out numerically, so that a man with even the most elementary mathematical knowledge will have no difficulty in applying the principle to his own work. In cases where the calculations would necessarily be complicated, I have substituted tables of dimensions for the mathematical operations, these dimensions being taken from a number of representative machines.

While flying cannot be taught by books, and is only the result of actual experience, the chapter devoted to the use of controls under different flight conditions will be of great benefit to the prospective aviator. The portion of the book devoted to operation will be of use in flying schools and training camps since both training methods and control manipulation are covered in detail. In addition I have presented considerable data on the requirements of the modern aeronautical motor.

So many new firms are now entering the aeroplane industry that there is an ever increasing demand for trained mechanics, designers and flyers, and many technical men now working along other lines are taking a keen interest in aeronautical engineering. If the contents of this book will serve to inspire the technical reader to deeper interest and practical research in the fascinating subject of aeronautics, the author will be more than satisfied with the result of his labor. The aeroplane is rapidly assuming a great commercial importance, and there is no doubt but what it will develop into an industry rivaling that of the automobile.

To keep fully abreast of the times in aeronautic development, one should be a constant reader of the excellent aeronautical magazines. Too much praise cannot be given to the aeronautical press in its effort to maintain an interest in this subject, and as with all pioneering movements, these magazines have met with many discouragements and financial setbacks in the earlier days of flying. To the American magazines, "Aerial Age" and "Flying" (New York), the author owes a debt of gratitude for the use of several of the cuts appearing in this book. The English magazines, "Flight," "Aeronautics" and the "Aeroplane," have been similarly drawn on. "Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering" (New York) has suggested the arrangement of several of the tables included herein. All of these papers are of the greatest interest and importance to the engineer, aviator and aero-mechanic.

JOHN B. RATHBUN.