On the principles of aerodynamic design

Abstract It is suggested that the development of aeroplanes requires, at the beginning, the solution of an aerodynamic design problem, namely, to find in broad outline classes of shapes with acceptable physical properties and types of flow which are usable in engineering practice. The basic principles of the classical design problem are briefly discussed and it is indicated how these methods can logically be extended to lead to new types of aircraft such as the slender wing.