Conceptual Aircraft Design

By Mark A. Price

I have had the honour and privilege of working with Ajoy for some 20 years now since he came to Queen's after working in Bombardier. I have always learned much from his vast experience and wisdom, and have always thoroughly enjoyed partnering with him. Most recently, this was in our venture writing the book titled Theory and Practice of Aircraft Performance (ISBN: 9871119074175), along with David, whom I have also been fortunate to know from a variety of research programmes and his engagement in our degree programmes. He has added much value to these with his industrial practitioner's experience and, of course, many years of technical knowledge.

When it comes to the subject of aircraft design there are few who really have the depth of perspective and breadth of knowledge to be able to convey the concepts to those wishing to learn. Although there are many aircraft flying today, those who have actually designed an aircraft that has successfully flown and become operational are few. Ajoy is one of those few. My own experience lies far more in the details of design and manufacturing, focusing more on how those concepts can be realised in a manufacturing environment. This is still the business of aircraft design, but there is a particular ability required of the concept designers. They require a knowledge of many aspects of the aeroplane. Understanding of aerodynamics, performance, structures, materials, controls, costs, manufacturing systems, and so on is needed, ...