Stick and Rudder is great book, but you will fail in your engineering efforts if that's all you want to use. Langewiesche was trying to get people to use common sense to fly better. But engineering, physics, chemistry, nuclear science are based on largely imperceptible truths. That was one of the reasons I got out of chemistry, I was good at it until they got to the nuclear part and quantum theory, entire semesters went by where there was basically nothing to see, touch, do, or feel. It was so removed from common life it was unnerving. All abstract theory, all the time. I wasn't cut out for it perhaps, but then I found aerospace engineering as an applied science.

Cub,
Thank you, yes I will certainly use your article to explain lift.

If it helps please do. My goal was to make a short provocative peice that would spur further inquiry. The best story of what causes lift is found in college texts such as "Aerodynamics for Engineers" by John Bertin, and such books are best assimilated in the context of a college course at the same time. You hear a lecture, read the text, do some problems, argue with classmates, take a test, get many right and perhaps a few wrong- that's the fire that builds a mind.

Aerodynamics for Engineers

But for those who do not have time to drop everything and go back to school,

Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators

is quite nice as an abbreviated review.

One of the greatest aspects of aviation: The learning never stops.

X2

It really doesn't. My sister saw my lesson plan binder a bit ago (4" 3-ring completely full) and asked, "is that in your brain"? I told her I learn more and more everyday.

Barry Schiff had an article about 15 yrs ago that explained it pretty well to the non-math major and yet included all the relevant scientific principles. It was also later bundled with other articles and put into one of his books. I will dig it up if you're interested.

As I primarily instructed in part 61 schools my entire life and not a university environment, my students were housewives, auto workers, fire men, business owners, etc. The vast majority were not interested in becoming professional pilots and hence, each required a unique approach to the science behind flight. The Schiff article worked well for the masses. I've always had the student that wanted more; however, I've also had the student that was not so scientifically inclined.

Yes thanks. I am a big fan of Schiff, would appreciate it, if you could forward the article.

Pearl,
Will scan the article to PDF and get it over to you sometime tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks, take your time!