Classical panel methods – a routine tool for aerodynamic calculations of complex aircraft configurations: from concepts to codes

Among all the methods of computational fluid dynamics perhaps most significant are the panel methods (PMs). This paper not only reviews existing techniques for calculating aerodynamic loads for realistic aircraft configurations, but also provides an account of mathematical ideas needed to understand them. The scope of this paper covers the main issues of problems of engineering analysis and design by means of PMs. Results of example applications of these methods to particulary complex configurations encountered in aircraft industry are also included. A selection is given at both subsonic and supersonic speeds.