ABSTRACT
While aerodynamics is the study of flows past and over bodies, the principles of flight are governed by the dynamics and aerodynamics of flight vehicles. The focus of this chapter is on the general principles of flight and the primary features of aircraft. Further details may be found in Anderson [1] and Shevell [2]. As the aerodynamics of bodies is greatly influenced by their external geometry, the aerodynamics of flight vehicles is entirely determined by their external geometry. The external geometry is in turn completely influenced by the entire complement of components external to the vehicle. The basic architecture of a typical aeroplane, the simplest of flight vehicles, is well known to any cursory observer of aeroplanes. It can be considered to be the assemblage of a number of individual components. The principal external components are the fuselage, the left and right wings, the power plant pods or nacelles, the tail plane unit comprising of the horizontal and vertical stabilisers, the various control flaps and control surfaces and the landing gear. When the components are assembled or integrated together, a complete external picture of a typical aeroplane emerges. A typical planform or top-down view of an aeroplane is shown in Figure 1.1.
