Understanding Aerodynamics

Understanding Aerodynamics offers a much-needed, fresh approach that brings greater insight into the physical understanding of aerodynamics. Based on the author’s decades of industrial experience with Boeing, this book assists students and practising engineers in gaining a deeper physical understanding of aerodynamics.

Relying on clear physical arguments and examples, Doug McLean provides a necessary fresh perspective on this sometimes contentious subject. He does this without shying away from addressing real aerodynamic situations, as opposed to the oversimplified ones frequently used for mathematical convenience. Motivated by the belief that engineering practice is enhanced through robust comprehension of the basics, as well as the real cause-and-effect relationships lying behind the theory, he offers intuitive physical interpretations and explanations. The book debunks commonly-held misconceptions and misinterpretations, using contrasts provided by incorrect explanations to strengthen understanding of the correct ones.

• Offers a refreshing perspective on aerodynamics, rooted in the author's extensive industrial experience and seamlessly connected to fundamental principles.
• Provides intuitive physical interpretations and explanations, debunking commonly-held misconceptions and misinterpretations.
• Presents new insights into some familiar topics, such as the true meaning of the Biot-Savart law and why it causes confusion, the real implications of “Reynolds number” and “incompressible flow”, and a genuine physical explanation of how an airfoil produces lift.
• Addresses real aerodynamic situations instead of the oversimplified ones typically used for mathematical convenience, omitting mathematical details when the physical understanding can be conveyed without them.