ABSTRACT
In this introduction chapter, the theory and practice of aircraft flight dynamics are presented with several applications and examples. The chapter provides various definitions, aircraft nomenclature, description of motion variables and various forces acting on an airplane with illustrative examples of motions an airplane may execute in real flight. Flight dynamics equations in the plane of symmetry (longitudinal plane) are written down and concept of equilibrium (trim) is introduced. Various time scales associated with longitudinal motions are defined which forms the basis for derivation of perturbed dynamic behaviour in longitudinal flights. Numerical example problems following theory at appropriate places are presented and supplementary materials are provided in the Boxes for ready reference.
