Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 08:49 AM - Re: CHris Heintz' book (Jim Belcher)
2. 09:59 AM - Re: CHris Heintz' book (n801bh@netzero.com)
3. 10:27 AM - Re: CHris Heintz' book (Paul Mulwitz)
4. 03:37 PM - Re: CHris Heintz' book (kmccune)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Re: CHris Heintz' book |
I said I'd publish a review of this book as soon as I read it. I spent quite a
bit of time with it last night. I've posted a review on Mr. Heintz website
(www.flyingonyourownwings.com), and on Barnes and Noble, per their request.
I don't believe humans write perfect books, and I've tried my best to give
this book an honest review. I like it, and I recommend it, but as you will
see, I think it could be made better.
==========================================
Chris Heintz' book, Flying on You Own Wings, is subtitled: A Complete Guide
to Understanding Light Airplane Design. The subtitle is a very accurate
description of the book's contents. I'm going to first tell you my basis for
review, and what I believe is good about the book. I'll then tell you what I
believe could be improved.
I won't hide my conclusion from you, or make you wait until the end of the
review. Your wife has been hiding money in the sugar bowl so she can buy a
second dress. Wait until she is fast asleep, sneak out $39.95, and buy the
book. Who needs a second dress? You need this book.
His first chapter, Mathematics, is a review of freshman and perhaps sophomore
level college math, and physical symbology. Those already possessing this
information could easily skip over this chapter and the following chapter.
However, I feel it and the second chapter on units would help introduce many
to these subjects, and provide a generally good basic grounding. In fact, I
intend to buy a copy of this book, and provide it to our son, who is a first
year engineering student, trying to come to grips with where all this math
came from, and what it really means.
Mr. Heintz hits his stride in the third chapter on aerodynamics and air loads,
followed by chapters on structural stress analysis, and human factors.
Although his approach provides reasonably rigorous mathematical backup, it is
common sense, and has real world examples.
He concludes with chapters on a sample design, and flight testing.
I can't absorb all this book at a single reading period. It's going to take
days or weeks to think some of this through. I am confident that this book will
provide me with background missing in many areas. It's certain I will have a
much better understanding of aircraft design when I finish.
You should be aware that the reviewer holds degrees in physics, with minors in
math and computer science. What I consider common knowledge may not be common
to everyone, and you should adjust the opinions I express accordingly.
Conversely, some of you may have much more knowledge than I, and find the book
too basic.
Now for the down side of things. First, it's clear the author's primary
language is not English. This results in occasional odd turns of phrase which
may hinder the readability of the book. Engineers are not known for being the
best communicators, and don't always break things up into short, manageable
segments. This book is no exception: it appears to badly need a technical
editor. It's far, far, too pedantic. But so are a lot of technical books.
The lot of the author of a book on a technical subject is a challenging one.
If the book is too technical, it becomes turgid, and difficult to read, even for
those knowledgable in the field. If the author writes on too broad a level,
some of the technical content is lost.
It's even worse when math is involved. Mathematicians are less concerned about
the real world value of their work than its theoretical value. Those of us in
the real world must pick our way very carefully through a mine field, selecting
those areas of math which have physical meaning, and those which do not.
Unfortunately, it's too easy to dismiss something of value in another
discipline, which is meaningless in our own. That's an error Mr. Heintz has
made.
An example of this is on page 32, where imaginary numbers are dismissed.
Students of engineering and science need to be aware that these numbers have
real physical meaning in some fields. There really are things that work this
way. Where there is one error of this type, there are likely to be others.
Study this book carefully, and focus on the aircraft design portions.
I agree with his premise that the metric system is easier to use in most
engineering calculations. But I wonder why, in a book whose largest audience
is likely to be in the United States, this system was used. Maybe I
underestimate the ability of aircraft builders, but those I know don't use the
metric system, and most rather frown on its usage. Perhaps one purpose of the
book is to educate on the use of the metric system, or to promote it.
I think it might have been more accurate to introduce the subject by saying
that calculations are more readily done in the metric system. For this reason,
the book is written around that system, to make the calculations easier to
understand. I do most of my own calculations in the metric system, but convert
the results to a more familiar form, because most materials available to me
only come in feet, pounds, and inches.
Some of the philosophy strikes the mark very well. For example, an aircraft
should not only perform well, it should be handsome in appearance. But some of
the philosophy is very cryptic, and I have no idea what its intent may have
been.
Unfortunately, some of the philosophy borders on metaphysics, and would put
Shirley McClaine to shame. On page 51, there is speculation that the number of
calendar years in a sidereal year are the approximately the same as the number
of breaths a human takes in in one day. This is hardly a causual relationship,
and included in a book on light aircraft design, throws the technical
credibility into question. If I breathe more slowly, does the universe slow
down?
More of this appears on page 53, where Mr. Heintz observes Note: Although the
gravitational pull of planets does not affect aircraft design, its action on
the life forces (plants, animals, humans) and soul forces (animals and humans)
is not much recognized in our western culture. Some cultures are more attuned
to this....
First, if it has nothing to do with aircraft design, why is it here? Second,
it's possible to find a lot of cultures with some pretty strange ideas, but
that doesn't make them correct. The book needs to be more focused.
Do not take this criticism as damming the book with faint praise. It's a good
book, and, if you want to understand aircraft design, well worth studying. In
fairness, the answer to many of these issues is that children should not read
books written for adults. When you read Mr. Heintz' book, you should simply be
mature enough to recognize his rather unique outlook. Absorb the parts about
aircraft design, and filter out some of the rest.
This is a good book, and worth studying (reading is too light a word). My
regret is that what is now a good book could have been an excellent book with
the services of a good technical editor.
--
=======================================
Jim B. Belcher
BS,MS Physics
A&P/IA
General Radio Telephone Certificate
Instrument Rated Pilot
Retired Aerospace Technical Manager
Semi-proficient Househusband
=======================================
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: CHris Heintz' book |
I am living proof that Chris designs a strong airframe... <<GG>>
But this statement flys in the face of reality...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the philosophy strikes the mark very well. For example, an aircr
aft
should not only perform well, it should be handsome in appearance. But s
ome of
the philosophy is very cryptic, and I have no idea what its intent may h
ave
been.
Unfortunately, some of the philosophy borders on metaphysics, and would
put
Shirley McClaine to shame
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
After all , he did design the 801 and its 'less then handsome' looks. <G
>
Thanks for the write up though, I will one day get the book and read it.
Ben Haas
N801BH
www.haaspowerair.com
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Jim Belcher <Z601c@anemicaardvark.com>
Subject: Re: Zenith-List: CHris Heintz' book
>
I said I'd publish a review of this book as soon as I read it. I spent q
uite a
bit of time with it last night. I've posted a review on Mr. Heintz websi
te
(www.flyingonyourownwings.com), and on Barnes and Noble, per their reque
st.
I don't believe humans write perfect books, and I've tried my best to gi
ve
this book an honest review. I like it, and I recommend it, but as you wi
ll
see, I think it could be made better.
========================
==================
Chris Heintz' book, Flying on You Own Wings, is subtitled: =9CA Co
mplete Guide
to Understanding Light Airplane Design.=9D The subtitle is a very
accurate
description of the book's contents. I'm going to first tell you my basis
for
review, and what I believe is good about the book. I'll then tell you wh
at I
believe could be improved.
I won't hide my conclusion from you, or make you wait until the end of t
he
review. Your wife has been hiding money in the sugar bowl so she can buy
a
second dress. Wait until she is fast asleep, sneak out $39.95, and buy t
he
book. Who needs a second dress? You need this book.
His first chapter, Mathematics, is a review of freshman and perhaps soph
omore
level college math, and physical symbology. Those already possessing thi
s
information could easily skip over this chapter and the following chapte
r.
However, I feel it and the second chapter on units would help introduce
many
to these subjects, and provide a generally good basic grounding. In fact
, I
intend to buy a copy of this book, and provide it to our son, who is a f
irst
year engineering student, trying to come to grips with where all this ma
th
came from, and what it really means.
Mr. Heintz hits his stride in the third chapter on aerodynamics and air
loads,
followed by chapters on structural stress analysis, and human factors.
Although his approach provides reasonably rigorous mathematical backup,
it is
common sense, and has real world examples.
He concludes with chapters on a sample design, and flight testing.
I can't absorb all this book at a single reading period. It's going to t
ake
days or weeks to think some of this through. I am confident that this bo
ok will
provide me with background missing in many areas. It's certain I will ha
ve a
much better understanding of aircraft design when I finish.
You should be aware that the reviewer holds degrees in physics, with min
ors in
math and computer science. What I consider common knowledge may not be c
ommon
to everyone, and you should adjust the opinions I express accordingly.
Conversely, some of you may have much more knowledge than I, and find th
e book
too basic.
Now for the down side of things. First, it's clear the author's primary
language is not English. This results in occasional odd turns of phrase
which
may hinder the readability of the book. Engineers are not known for bein
g the
best communicators, and don't always break things up into short, managea
ble
segments. This book is no exception: it appears to badly need a technica
l
editor. It's far, far, too pedantic. But so are a lot of technical books
.
The lot of the author of a book on a technical subject is a challenging
one.
If the book is too technical, it becomes turgid, and difficult to read,
even for
those knowledgable in the field. If the author writes on too broad a lev
el,
some of the technical content is lost.
It's even worse when math is involved. Mathematicians are less concerned
about
the real world value of their work than its theoretical value. Those of
us in
the real world must pick our way very carefully through a mine field, se
lecting
those areas of math which have physical meaning, and those which do not.
Unfortunately, it's too easy to dismiss something of value in another
discipline, which is meaningless in our own. That's an error Mr. Heintz
has
made.
An example of this is on page 32, where imaginary numbers are dismissed.
Students of engineering and science need to be aware that these numbers
have
real physical meaning in some fields. There really are things that work
this
way. Where there is one error of this type, there are likely to be othe
rs.
Study this book carefully, and focus on the aircraft design portions.
I agree with his premise that the metric system is easier to use in most
engineering calculations. But I wonder why, in a book whose largest audi
ence
is likely to be in the United States, this system was used. Maybe I
underestimate the ability of aircraft builders, but those I know don't u
se the
metric system, and most rather frown on its usage. Perhaps one purpose o
f the
book is to educate on the use of the metric system, or to promote it.
I think it might have been more accurate to introduce the subject by say
ing
that calculations are more readily done in the metric system. For this r
eason,
the book is written around that system, to make the calculations easier
to
understand. I do most of my own calculations in the metric system, but c
onvert
the results to a more familiar form, because most materials available to
me
only come in feet, pounds, and inches.
Some of the philosophy strikes the mark very well. For example, an aircr
aft
should not only perform well, it should be handsome in appearance. But s
ome of
the philosophy is very cryptic, and I have no idea what its intent may h
ave
been.
Unfortunately, some of the philosophy borders on metaphysics, and would
put
Shirley McClaine to shame. On page 51, there is speculation that the num
ber of
calendar years in a sidereal year are the approximately the same as the
number
of breaths a human takes in in one day. This is hardly a causual relatio
nship,
and included in a book on light aircraft design, throws the technical
credibility into question. If I breathe more slowly, does the universe s
low
down?
More of this appears on page 53, where Mr. Heintz observes =9CNote
: Although the
gravitational pull of planets does not affect aircraft design, its actio
n on
the life forces (plants, animals, humans) and soul forces (animals and h
umans)
is not much recognized in our western culture. Some cultures are more at
tuned
to this....=9D
First, if it has nothing to do with aircraft design, why is it here? Sec
ond,
it's possible to find a lot of cultures with some pretty strange ideas,
but
that doesn't make them correct. The book needs to be more focused.
Do not take this criticism as damming the book with faint praise. It's a
good
book, and, if you want to understand aircraft design, well worth studyin
g. In
fairness, the answer to many of these issues is that children should not
read
books written for adults. When you read Mr. Heintz' book, you should sim
ply be
mature enough to recognize his rather unique outlook. Absorb the parts a
bout
aircraft design, and filter out some of the rest.
This is a good book, and worth studying (reading is too light a word).
My
regret is that what is now a good book could have been an excellent book
with
the services of a good technical editor.
--
========================
===============
Jim B. Belcher
BS,MS Physics
A&P/IA
General Radio Telephone Certificate
Instrument Rated Pilot
Retired Aerospace Technical Manager
Semi-proficient Househusband
========================
===============
========================
===========
========================
===========
========================
===========
========================
===========
____________________________________________________________
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Message 3
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| Subject: | CHris Heintz' book |
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the great review of Chris' book. My immediate reaction was to order
a copy from Amazon.com.
The biggest reason I did that was one small comment you made about Chris nixing
imaginary numbers. I did the same thing in my career as an electrical engineer.
You see -- My education is in mathematics. All of mathematics is based on
4 axioms. To get imaginary numbers to work you need to add a 5th axiom (that
i-squared is equal to -1). This is totally unacceptable from a philosophical
point of view. In my opinion it invalidates all the math used after making
this outrageous change to the rules. (There is a reason they are called imaginary.)
I am still very angry over my experience with the Zodiac XL and the business conducted
by ZAC/Zenair. Still, my original reason for selecting this design was
Chris' reputation for design of this type of aircraft. I really look forward
to reading his thoughts on airplane design.
Paul
XL - installing upgrade kit
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jim Belcher
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:24 AM
Subject: Re: Zenith-List: CHris Heintz' book
I said I'd publish a review of this book as soon as I read it. I spent quite a
bit of time with it last night. I've posted a review on Mr. Heintz website
(www.flyingonyourownwings.com), and on Barnes and Noble, per their request.
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: CHris Heintz' book |
Ben,
I for one, hold to the beauty of function over form! And the 701/750 and 801 are
beautiful technical designs!
Sorry couldn't resist.
Kevin
n801bh(at)netzero.com wrote:
> I am living proof that Chris designs a strong airframe...
> But this statement flys in the face of reality...
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Some of the philosophy strikes the mark very well. For example, an aircraft
> should not only perform well, it should be handsome in appearance. But some of
> the philosophy is very cryptic, and I have no idea what its intent may have
> been.
>
> After all , he did design the 801 and its 'less then handsome' looks.
> Thanks for the write up though, I will one day get the book and read it.
> Ben Haas
> N801BH
> www.haaspowerair.com
>
> --------
--------
"Real freedom is the sustained act of being an individual."
WW - 2009
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