Preface

Aeronautics involves the research, development, and manufacture of machines capable of air flight as well as methods for controlling airplanes and rockets inside the atmosphere. The development of kites in China in the fifth century marks the beginning of flying. The first versions of a rational airplane were envisioned by the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci in his paintings from the fifteenth century. Tito Livio Burattini created a miniature airplane in 1647 that included four sets of glider wings. The Wright brothers were American inventors and aviation pioneers who made one of the earliest powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flights in 1903. Two years later, they built and flew the first fully functional airplane, surpassing their record.

Technologies like augmented reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation are just a few examples of how modern aviation and space travel has improved. In-flight instruction for pilots is being provided by virtual instructors, autonomous wingmen are surveying the skies ahead, and AI algorithms are assisting with more effective aircraft routing. The demand for engineers and scientists is anticipated to increase by 6% by 2031. The Middle East and South America will see the fastest growth rates in the aerospace industry going forward, with compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 10.5% and 10.1%, respectively. The markets in Africa and Eastern Europe are anticipated to see CAGR increases of 8.9% and 8.1%, respectively.

This book presents state-of-the-art research and developments in the field of aeronautics. It includes ten chapters divided into six sections. Chapters discuss topics such as the applications of drones, recent challenges in aeronautics, control approaches for the civil and military domains, modeling and simulation, and modern aviation applications.

> **Zain Anwar Ali** Associate professor, Electronic Engineering Department, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

> > **Dragan Cvetković** Singidunum University, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

Section 1

Introduction

**1**

Section 1 Introduction
