Airplane Stability and Control
A History of the Technologies that Made Aviation Possible

An informal history of the personalities and events surrounding the development of airplane stability and control.

Malcolm J. Abzug (Author), E. Eugene Larrabee (Author)

9780521809924, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 September 2002

414 pages, 192 b/w illus.
26.3 x 18.1 x 2.6 cm, 0.873 kg

'This is a splendid book. The authors try to tell the whole story, starting with Cayley. With their immense background, practical as well as academic, the maths are all there but so are countless often fascinating references to actual aircraft … How often do you find an erudite treatise that is truly un-put-downable?' Bill Gunston, Aerospace Magazine

From the early machines to today's sophisticated aircraft, stability and control have always been crucial considerations. In this second edition, Abzug and Larrabee again forge through the history of aviation technologies to present an informal history of the personalities and the events, the art and the science of airplane stability and control. The book includes never-before-available impressions of those active in the field, from pre-Wright brothers airplane and glider builders through to contemporary aircraft designers. Arranged thematically, the book deals with early developments, research centers, the effects of power on stability and control, the discovery of inertial coupling, the challenge of stealth aerodynamics, a look toward the future, and much more. It is profusely illustrated with photographs and figures, and includes brief biographies of noted stability and control figures along with a core bibliography. Professionals, students, and aviation enthusiasts alike will appreciate this readable history of airplane stability and control.

1. Early developments in stability and control
2. Research centers and texts
3. Flying qualities becomes a science
4. Power effects on stability and control
5. Managing control forces
6. Stability and control at the design stage
7. The jets at an awkward age
8. The discovery of inertial coupling
9. Spinning and recovery
10. Tactical airplane maneuverability
11. High mach number difficulties
12. Naval aircraft problems
13. Ultra-light and human-powered airplanes
14. Fuel slosh, deep stall, and more
15. Safe personal airplanes
16. Stability and control issues with variable sweep
17. Modern canard configurations
18. Evolution of the equations of motion
19. The elastic airplane
20. Stability augmentation
21. Flying qualities research moves with the times
22. Challenge of stealth aerodynamics
23. Very large aircraft
24. Work still to be done
Short biographies of some stability and control figures
References and core bibliography.

Subject Areas: Aerospace & aviation technology [TRP], Electrical engineering [THR], Production engineering [TGP]