TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.

THE DESIGN OF AEROPLANES

Historical Introduction-Aerodynamic Theory-Aeroplane Cal-

culations.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

Introduction-The work of Langley, Lilienthal and Chanute

and their influence on the progress of Aviation.....

1-16

CHAPTER II.

THE RESISTANCE OF THE AIR AND THE PRESSURE ON NORMAL

PLANES

Variation in the density. Air Pockets. The values and na-

ture of Air Resistance as determined by various experi-

menters. Values of Air Resistance as determined by

Rotating Apparatus and Straight Line Motion. Photo-

graphs of air-streams on normal planes. Numerical

example. References

CHAPTER III.

FLAT INCLINED PLANES

The diagram of forces on a flat inclined plane. Newton's

famous Theorem. Photographs of air-streams passing flat

inclined planes. Values of the pressure on such planes

and the formulæ of various investigators. Numerical ex-

ample of the calculation of the Pressure on a flat plane.

Lift and Drift-its meaning and significance. Refer-

ences

17-34

35-44

CHAPTER IV.

THE PRESSURE ON CURVED PLANES

The conditions of Pressure on a curved plane. Lilienthal's

determination. The forces on a curved surface. Photo-

graphs of air-streams passing curved planes. The results

of other investigators. The Ratio of Lift to Drift on

Curved surfaces. Its higher value, compared to flat sur-

faces. Eiffel's results. Numerical Examples. Refer-

ences

PAGE

45-54

CHAPTER V.

THE FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE OF AIR

Results of various investigations. Zahm's experiments, and

Skin Friction Table. Numerical Examples. References..

CHAPTER VI.

THE CENTER OF PRESSURE ON FLAT AND CURVED PLANES

The work of Joessel, Kummer, and Langley on flat planes.

Work of Rateau, Eiffel and Prandtl on curved surfaces.

Variation in position of centre of pressure with changing

incident angle. The Distribution of Pressure on a plane.

References

55-60

61-66

CHAPTER VII.

THE EFFECT OF DEPTH OF CURVATURE AND ASPECT RATIO UPON

THE LIFT AND DRIFT OF CURVED PLANES

The work of Prandtl and Eiffel. Low depth of curvature for

a racing machine. High aspect ratio for high efficiency.

Reasons for this. References..

CHAPTER VIII.

NUMERICAL EXAMPLE OF THE DESIGN OF AN AEROPLANE

Complete determination of size, shape and characteristics of

planes, weight, speed and angle of incidence

assumed. Rudder Design. Determination of Motive

Power and Propeller. Summary..

the main

67-74

75-90

IMPORTANT TYPES OF MONOPLANES

Detailed and Illustrated Descriptions of the Antoinette, Blériot

XI., Blériot XI 2 bis., Blériot XII., Blériot "Aero-bus,"

Dorner, Etrich, Grade, Hanriot, Nieuport, Pfitzner, Pischof,

R. E. P. (1909), R. E. P. (1911), Santos Dumont, Sommer,

Tellier and Valkyrie....

95-160

CHAPTER XI.

PROMINENT TYPES OF BIPLANES

Detailed and Illustrated Descriptions of the Breguet, Cody
(1909), Cody (1911), Curtiss, Dufaux, Dunne, H. Farman
(1909), H. Farman (Michelin), Maurice Farman, Goupy,
Neale, Paulhan, Sommer, Voisin (1909), Voisin (Trac-
tor), Voisin (Bordeaux), Voisin (Front Control, 1911),
Wright (1909), Wright (Model R), Wright (Model B)... 161-246

PART III.

COMPARISON OF THE TYPES

Controlling Systems-Accidents-The Future.

CHAPTER XII.

COMPARISON OF THE PROMINENT TYPES

Discussion of the advantage and disadvantages of the various

dispositions. I.-Mounting. II.-Rudders. III.-Keels.

IV. Position of seats, motor, etc. V.-Position of center

of gravity. VI.-Transverse Control. VII.-Aspect Ra-

tio. VIII-Incident Angle. IX.-Propellers. X.-Struc-

ture and Size. XI.-Efficiency. XII.-Speed and Flight.. 247-278

CHAPTER XIII.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Detailed and Illustrated explanations of the controlling sys-

tems on 1. The Antoinette. 2.-Blériot. 3.-Breguet.

4.-Curtiss. 5.-Etrich. 6.-Farman. 7. Hanriot. 8.-

Wright

PAGE

279-290

CHAPTER XIV.

ACCIDENTS-SAFE FLYING LIMITED BY WIND CONDITIONS.

Different ways in which accidents happen. 1.-Physical in-

ability of the aviator. 2.-Collisions with obstacles. 3.-

Heavy landing. 4.-Loss of equilibrium in turning. 5.-

Sudden failure of motive power. 6.-Breakage of some

part in mid-air. 7.-Sudden dives when in motor flight.

8. Sudden dives to ground in "volplaning." 9.-Tearing

away of wings in mid-air, when about to turn at the end

of a dip. Explanation and Discussion....

CHAPTER XV.

THE VARIABLE SURFACE AEROPLANE

Consideration of its advantages. Suggested means of varying

291-318

an aeroplane surface..

319-323

PART I.

THE DESIGN OF AEROPLANES

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION—AERODYNAMIC

THEORY-AEROPLANE CALCULATIONS