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23 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Comprehensive, simple and comprehensible Aug 30, 1997
Unless one has considerable experience interpreting mathematical formulae, it may be worth their while to consider a book such as this before reading a university level aerodynamics textbook. The textbook will be made somewhat more comprehensible knowing the basic principlew which a more descriptive book, such as this one, can teach simply. Most textbooks in the subject, even those meant as introductory, give a painfully mathematical and theoretical treatment with insufficient verbal explanation. They are meant for complete school courses, where a teacher can qualitatively describe the physical principles. Without the benefit of professors, a book like Smith's isrequired to provide the intuitive capacity which then makes the textbooks useful. The Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics was not prepared as a university textbook, hence its semi-quantitative, largely practical, explanation of aerodynamics principles, but students will still find it valuable in reducing the effort needed when they turn to their textbooks. The important concepts are all covered and explained well, along with aerodynamics terms and design considerations. Use this book to help you understand, the others to help your grade point average. Smith's book would also be understandable to those who are not students, but do want to know about the physical principles involved in aircraft flight. Many diagrams and graphs explain the subject matter in pictures. A knowledge of basic mechanics and basic fluid mechanics is required, however. My only complaint is the author's use of English units on an SI continent. English units are somewhat forgiveable however, since aerodynamics and fluid mechanics are areas which continue to resist complete conversion to SI. In any case, the formulae in the book are meant mainly to illustrate cause and effect relationships. Though the book was for the topic of flight, some basics in materials and structures would have been welcome too. Thank you, "Skip", for writing a comprehensive book on aerodynamics which is enjoyable and comprehensible. You have taught us to read aerodynamics.
17 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 An excellent reference for pilots and aircraft homebuilders Aug 21, 1999
I found Skip Smith's book to be an excellent layman's introduction to aerodynamics. Fluid mechanics does not usually make for interesting, easily comprehensible reading, but Dr. Smith's book is clearly the exception. I'm constantly irritated by the very inaccurate descriptions of aerodynamics given in many flying magazines and instructional books. This book has none of those common errors. Reading this book should greatly increase the average pilot's knowledge of how his plane flies and what huge design constraints aeronatical engineers have to live with. Highly recommended reading for all those who are interested in learning more about the principles of flight.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Really Useful Reference Mar 23, 2008
By C. Smith
I read this book for research that I am doing at school. In this book the author carefully and slowly explains the principles of aerodynamics. His approach is perfect for those of us who are new to the subject.
The layout of the book makes sense. The book includes many examples along with thorough explanations of these examples. (He also gives many interesting anecdotal comments.) Additionally, the author's handling of the material is simple, but not so basic that one cannot get a full understanding of aerodynamic forces acting on an airplane and on the structures than comprise the vehicle.
This book is a very useful reference for understanding aerodynamic forces and how these forces can be determined and predicted.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent introductory book Nov 16, 2007
By Karoliina Salminen
I started from Aerodynamics for Engineers which was a bad choice. However, this was excellent introductory book that was on very understandable and practical level, just how introduction should be. Very good book for homebuilder or pilot point of view.
easy to read, just enough math to keep it complicated Sep 06, 2011
By crocodile bobbies
I have not finished this book, but I have learned so much about airplane wings, tails, propellers, winglets, fins, drag, lift, thrust. Lots of graphs, diagrams, pictures (showing drag & lift), to help illustrate airplane flying concepts. How wings actually work.
I think the best description for me, for why the curved upper wing surface creates lift is simply, the air molecules are farther apart on the upper surface, and thus the pressure is lower on the top of the wing, and greater on the lower surface of the wing. Thus the wing is "lifted" upwards. That is why, if the air does not stay with the upper and lower wing surface, the wing stalls. Since the air pressure is really the same on the top surface and the lower surface, when the air is not flowing over the wing properly. Therefore the wing (airplane) will drop since the air pressure is the same on the top and bottom surface.
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