Courses

Practical Aeronautics offers three AERONAUTICS courses:

IMG_1822Each course introduces the following key subject areas– the level of detail is dictated by the course length and/or audience.  Design implications and system perspective are the common thread.

  • Low & High-Speed Aerodynamics – Lift, Sources of Drag, Mach Number Effects & Designing for Speed
  • Stability & Control – Ailerons, Elevators, and Rudders – Designing for Roll, Pitch, and Yaw Stability
  • Structures & Materials – Ribs, Spars, and Frames – Impact of g-loading
  • Propulsion Systems – Piston & Gas Turbine Engines – Airframe and Engine(s) Integration
  • Aircraft Performance – Range & Endurance, Glides, Climbs, Takeoffs & Landings, and much more

All aeronautics courses include an excursion that allows “hands on” examination of aircraft and further reinforces lesson objectives.  Although course focus is clearly on conventional airplanes, discussion expands to other air vehicles, including airships, helicopters, UAVs, stealth, hypersonic, STOL, and micro-air vehicles.

F-404 Compresssor&nozzlesPractical Aeronautics offers two JET ENGINE courses:

Each course introduces the fundamental language of aerodynamics and the following key subject areas–the level of detail is dictated by the course length and/or audience.

  • How Thrust is Generated
  • Gas Turbine Engine “Core” – Compressor, Combustor, and Turbine
  • Propulsion Systems – Turboprop, Turboshaft, Turbofan, and Turbojet
  • Inlets & Nozzles – Integrating the Airframe and Engine

Introduction to Jet Engines – A Practical Perspective includes an excursion that allows “hands on” examination of gas turbine engine hardware and further reinforces lesson objectives.

Who Should Attend

Anyone looking for a “big picture” understanding of aeronautics and/or propulsion should attend Practical Aeronautics courses.  Past students represent a broad range of professionals and technicians working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation—program managers, engineers, aircraft operations and support personnel, wind tunnel and flight test technicians, administrative personnel and new hires.  While course topics are highly technical by nature, all Practical Aeronautics courses are designed for those with limited or no technical background and appeal to those with or without formal engineering education.

Relaxed Teaching Style

Each course is designed around a set of clear course goals and specific learning objectives.  Practical Aeronautics courses use a “building-block” approach—no prior knowledge of the subject area is assumed.  Fundamental topics are introduced then connected to the “real world” through discussion and numerous examples.  Videos help bring the material to life and reviews assure retention of the learning objectives.  The classroom environment is informal—open discussion and student questions are an important part of all Practical Aeronautics courses.  Trips to local airstrips or museums further reinforce learning objectives and provide the opportunity to see first hand how classroom discussion topics translate to the design of an air vehicle.

Small Classes and Team Teaching

TecnanBravo P204(Rotax)Practical Aeronautics strives to create the most favorable learning environment possible.  Class size is usually 15 to 25 students.  Each student receives a complete set of course notes, as well as a proven and appropriate level reference text.  In most cases, courses are taught in a two-person team made up of highly distinguished and experienced experts—a “PhD educator” and a high-time aircraft “operator.”

Client List

  • NASA
    • Headquarters
    • Ames Research Center
    • Dryden Flight Research Center
    • Glenn Research Center
    • Goddard Space Flight Center
    • Johnson Space Center
    • Kennedy Space Center
    • Langley Research Center
    • Marshall Space Flight Center
    • Wallops Island
  • US Navy
  • US Air Force
    • Edwards AFB
    • Eglin AFB
    • Hill AFB
    • Robins AFB
    • Wright-Patterson AFB
  • FAA
  • Industry/Government Through Affiliates