The Use of Dimensional Relationships: The System of Solution by Inspection Applied to Various Aeronautical Problems of Common Occurrence

IN Aeronautics as in other branches of science, applications of the “theory of dimensions” have been of great assistance, as the customary use of coefficients, which are in effect non‐dimensional variables, testified. In most text books of physics rules are given for obtaining dimensional relationships in any problem, but in practice the methods recommended are seldom used. The procedure suggested by the text books is recapitulated in Bairstow's Aerodynamics (p. 380), but the author adds, “After a little experience in the use of the method … it is possible to discard it and write down the answer without serious effort.”