Aerodynamics for Professional Pilots

The assets on this website enhance my textbook:

• Theory of Flight - YouTube Series
• Aerodynamics for Professional Pilots
• Aerodynamics Workbook

Ray Preston

Aerodynamics Pages on the WWW

NASA Dryden Research Center
National Research Centre or Canada

FAA Text

The photo to the left shows a recreation of on the Wright brothers gliders used in 1902 to obtain aerodynamic data and develop pilot skills prior to the 1903 first powered flight.

To the right is a recreation of the wind tunnel Orville and Wilbur made to test their aerodynamic theories.

The brothers discovered that most of what was written about aerodynamics at the time was wrong. Their pain staking scientific approach explains why they succeeded when so may others were trying, and failing, to fly.

Octave Chaute, shown in recreation to the left, was one of the few early pioneers not obsessed with competitiveness and secrecy. He openly shared his advice and encouragement with the Wright Brothers.

This is one of Chanutes gliders from the late 1890s.