An analysis is presented which allows the engineer to quantitatively estimate the validity
bounds of aerodynamic methods based in linear potential flows a-priori. The development is
limited to quasi-steady planar flows with attached shocks and small body curvature. Perturbation
velocities are parametrised in terms of Mach number and flow turning-angle by means
of a series-expansion for flow velocity based in the method of characteristics. The parametrisation
is used to assess the magnitude of nonlinear term-groupings relative to linear groups in
the full potential equation. This quantification is used to identify dominant nonlinear terms
and to estimate the validity of linearising the potential flow equation at a given Mach number
and flow turning angle. Example applications include the a-priori estimation of the validity
bounds for linear aerodynamic models for supersonic aeroelastic analysis of lifting surfaces
and panels.http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=AFR2017-06-30hb2017Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineerin
