Appendix F: Configuration Aerodynamics Reading List

In our courses, we read and have class discussions about a few key papers in configuration aerodynamics. We don’t have time to read and discuss all the classic papers in class, so these are a few papers that fit the primary themes of the course. I wish we could discuss more. References in the various chapters provide citations to many of the other classic configuration aerodynamics papers.

To get oriented to the attitude of a successful configuration aerodynamicist:

Waaland, I. T., “Technology in the Lives of an Aircraft Designer,” AIAA Paper 91-3069, AIAA Wright Brothers Lecture, Aircraft Design and Operations Meeting, Baltimore, MD, Sept. 23-25, 1991. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1991-3069

These sources can be discussed together to compare and contrast different solutions for similar missions:

Shevell, R. S., and Schaufele, R. D., “Aerodynamic Design Features of the DC-9,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 3, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 1966, pp. 515–523. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.43770

Olason, M. L., and Norton, D. A., “Aerodynamic Design Philosophy of the Boeing 737,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 3, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 1966, pp. 524–528. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.43771 (Note: Also known as AIAA Paper 65-739.)

Read together to consider the role of CFD:

Shevell, R. S., “Aerodynamic Bugs, Can CFD Spray Them Way?” AIAA Paper 85-4067, Oct. 1985. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1985-4067 (Note: Later published in the Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 23, No. 8, Aug. 1986, as “Aerodynamic Anomalies: Can CFD Prevent or Correct Them?” pp. 641–649.) https://doi.org/10.2514/3.45356

Although some of the “CFD” methods discussed are slightly dated, the aerodynamic thinking, insight and approach to understanding aerodynamic flow fields is unsurpassed.

Tinoco, E. N., “The Impact of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Aircraft Design,” Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal, Vol. 44, No. 3, Sept. 1998, pp. 132–144.

Additional CFD resources:

Rubbert, P. E., “CFD and the Changing World of Airplane Design,” AIAA Wright Brothers Lecture, Sept., 1994. https://www.icas.org/icas_archive/ICAS1994/ICAS-94-0.2.pdf

Tinoco, E. N., “The Changing Role of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Aircraft Development,” AIAA Paper 98-2512, Jun. 1998. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1998-2512

Jameson, A., “Re-Engineering the Design Process through Computation,” AIAA Paper 97-0641, Jan. 1997. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1997-641

A paper describing transonic transport aerodynamic design:

Lynch, F. T., “Commercial Transports—Aerodynamic Design for Cruise Performance Efficiency,” Douglas Paper 7026, Feb. 1981. https://doi.org/10.2514/5.9781600865558.0081.0147 (Note: This is also included as Chapter 2 in Transonic Aerodynamics, edited by D. Nixon, AIAA Progress in Astronautics & Aeronautics, Vol. 81, 1982, pp. 81–147.)

The key paper on the physics of high lift:

Smith, A. M. O., “High-Lift Aerodynamics,” AIAA Wright Brothers Lecture, AIAA Paper 74- 939, Aug. 1974. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1974-939 (Note: Also published in Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 12, No. 6, Jun. 1975, pp. 501–530 https://doi.org/10.2514/3.59830.)

We have to have a case study of the SR-71, one of the most remarkable airplanes ever:

Rich, B. R., “F-12 Series Aircraft Aerodynamic and Thermodynamic Design in Retrospect,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 11, No. 7, Jul. 1974, pp. 401–406. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.60356

Garrison, P. “Desert Blackbirds,” Flying, Oct. 1994, pp. 96–99. https://books.google.com/books?id=qn20_NrLHC8C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA96#v=onepage&q&f=false