151-1116-00L  Introduction to Aircraft and Car Aerodynamics

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersJ. Wildi
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionGerman


AbstractAircraft aerodynamics: Atmosphere; aerodynamic forces (lift, drag); thrust.
Vehicle aerodynamics: Aerodynamic and mass forces, drag, lift, car aerodynamics and performence. Passenger cars, trucks, racing cars.
ObjectiveAn introduction to the basic principles and interrelationships of aircraft and automotive aerodynamics.
To understand the basic relations of the origin of aerodynamic forces (ie lift, drag). To quantify the aerodynamic forces for basic configurations of aercraft and car components.
Illustration of the intrinsic problems and results using examples.
Using experimental and theoretical methods to illustrate possibilities and limits.
ContentAircraft aerodynamics: atmosphere, aerodynamic forces (ascending force: profile, wings. Resistance, residual resistance, induced resistance); thrust (overview of the propulsion system, aerodynamics of the propellers), introduction to static longitudinal stability.

Automobile aerodynamics: Basic principles: aerodynamic force and the force of inertia, resistance, drive, aerodynamic and driving performance. Cars commercial vehicles, racing cars.
Lecture notes1.) Grundlagen der Flugtechnik (Basics of flight science, script in german language)
2.) Einführung in die Fahrzeugaerodynamik (Introduction in car aerodynamics, script in german language)
LiteratureEnglish literature covering the content of the course:
- Anderson Jr, John D: Introduction to Flight, Mc Graw Hill, Ed 06, 2007; ISBN: 9780073529394
- Mc Cormick, B.W.: Aerodynamics, Aeronautics and Flight Mechanics, John Wiley and Sons, 1979
- Hucho, Wolf-Heinrich: Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles, SAE International, 1998