Our goal in writing this book is to present a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the subject of inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational aerodynamics. Over the last several years there has been a widespread use of computational (surface singularity) methods for the solution of problems of concern to the low-speed aerodynamicist and a need has developed for a text to provide the theoretical basis for these methods as well as to provide a smooth transition from the classical small-disturbance methods of the past to the computational methods of the present. This book was written in response to this need. A unique feature of this book is that the computational approach (from a single vortex element to a three-dimensional panel formulation) is interwoven throughout so that it serves as a teaching tool in the understanding of the classical methods as well as a vehicle for the reader to obtain solutions to complex problems that previously could not be dealt with in the context of a textbook. The reader will be introduced to different levels of complexity in the numerical modeling of an aerodynamic problem and will be able to assemble codes to implement a solution.

We have purposely limited our scope to inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational aerodynamics so that we can present a truly comprehensive coverage of the material. The book brings together topics currently scattered throughout the literature. It provides a detailed presentation of computational techniques for three-dimensional and unsteady flows.