But Will It Fly?
The History and Science of Unconventional Aerial Power and Propulsion
Published on 19. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
292 pages
978-1-4766-9654-6 (ISBN)
Description
Conventional aircraft today are propelled by the action of propellers or jets, and powered by the internal combustion of petroleum fuels in piston, turboprop or jet engines. But other power sources, powerplants, and propulsion devices, for airships as well as aircraft, have been proposed and even experimented with over the last few centuries. The power sources considered include human muscles, steam, batteries, nuclear reactors, and hydrogen fuel; and the propulsion devices include sails, oars, flapping wings, rockets and cycloidal propellers.
This meticulously researched book presents the history of these unconventional aerial power and propulsion systems, explains the underlying science and technology behind them, and assesses the crucial question of practicality.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Illustrations
Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
481 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-9654-6 (9781476696546)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Iver P. Cooper is a retired patent attorney and is an independent researcher in the history of science and technology. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.
Content
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction: Preliminary Considerations
Part I: Unconventional Power
¿1.¿Muscle Power
¿2.¿Steam Power
¿3.¿Alternative External Combustion Power
¿4.¿Battery Power
¿5.¿Solar Power
¿6.¿Nuclear Power
¿7.¿Miscellaneous Power Sources
Part II: Unconventional Propulsion
¿8.¿Buoyancy-Driven Propulsion
¿9.¿Wind Propulsion
10.¿Oars, Paddle Wheels and Cycloidal Propellers
11.¿Biomimetic Propulsion (Flapping and Undulating)
12.¿Miscellaneous Propulsion Methods
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix 1: Author's Airship Aerodynamics Standard Model
Appendix 2: Aerodynamic Modeling of Buoyancy-Driven Propulsion
Appendix 3: Sensitivity of Aereon Predictions to Modeling Method
Appendix 4: Reliability of Wind Speed Estimates by the Aereon Flight Eyewitnesses
Appendix 5: Reliability of Estimates of the Ground Speed of the Aereon
Appendix 6: Analysis of Steam (Rankine) Cycle Thermodynamics
Appendix 7: Thermal Efficiency of Historical and Proposed Steam Locomotives
Appendix 8: Methods of Improving Theoretical Cycle Efficiency of Steam Powerplants
Appendix 9: Improving Actual Cycle Efficiency of Steam Powerplants
Appendix 10: Steam Car Data
Appendix 11: Condenser Pressure
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
Preface
Introduction: Preliminary Considerations
Part I: Unconventional Power
¿1.¿Muscle Power
¿2.¿Steam Power
¿3.¿Alternative External Combustion Power
¿4.¿Battery Power
¿5.¿Solar Power
¿6.¿Nuclear Power
¿7.¿Miscellaneous Power Sources
Part II: Unconventional Propulsion
¿8.¿Buoyancy-Driven Propulsion
¿9.¿Wind Propulsion
10.¿Oars, Paddle Wheels and Cycloidal Propellers
11.¿Biomimetic Propulsion (Flapping and Undulating)
12.¿Miscellaneous Propulsion Methods
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix 1: Author's Airship Aerodynamics Standard Model
Appendix 2: Aerodynamic Modeling of Buoyancy-Driven Propulsion
Appendix 3: Sensitivity of Aereon Predictions to Modeling Method
Appendix 4: Reliability of Wind Speed Estimates by the Aereon Flight Eyewitnesses
Appendix 5: Reliability of Estimates of the Ground Speed of the Aereon
Appendix 6: Analysis of Steam (Rankine) Cycle Thermodynamics
Appendix 7: Thermal Efficiency of Historical and Proposed Steam Locomotives
Appendix 8: Methods of Improving Theoretical Cycle Efficiency of Steam Powerplants
Appendix 9: Improving Actual Cycle Efficiency of Steam Powerplants
Appendix 10: Steam Car Data
Appendix 11: Condenser Pressure
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index