Flight mechanics - Propulsive balance and energy

WEEK 1: Equation of propulsion
First, we will look at the physics at the origin of drag and thrust, and derive basic models and representations like the drag polar.

WEEK 2: Flight regimes
We will see here how the airspeed chosen to fly a stabilized phase of flight, like climb, final approach, or cruise, affects the behavior of the airplane, and why certain speeds are optimal for a given phase.

WEEK 3: Cruise performance
Our main subject here is the distance we can fly with a given payload and fuel quantity, and how it relates to the design and operational characteristics of the airplane.