Aeronautics Courses

Fundamentals of Flight – A Practical Overview of Aeronautics

This two-day course is all about airplanes, how they fly and why they look the way they do. From a very practical perspective, you’ll be introduced to the key aspects of aeronautics, including: low and high speed aerodynamics, stability and control, structures, and propulsion systems. Airplane performance and design tradeoffs are weaved throughout the discussion. A field trip to be determined will reinforce the learning objectives.

“Great intro to aeronautics. Good examples, great visual aids. Excellent ability to discuss and explain concepts. Can also delve into detail. The best course I’ve taken at GRC [Glenn Research Center] in eight years.”
–Ohio Aerospace Institute, March 2009

You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, one of the best references available. 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

This course is designed for anyone working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation including program managers, engineers, scientists, analysts, and technicians, as well as aircraft operational, test, logistical, and maintenance personnel. A building-block approach is used. No prior knowledge is assumed. After seven years and nearly 2000 graduates from audiences across the Air Force, Navy, NASA, FAA, and industry, our instructors have earned a tremendous reputation for teaching fundamental aeronautics and propulsion. In our classroom, theory and practical application come alive!

Introduction to Aeronautics – A Practical Perspective

After taking this course, you will never look at an airplane the same again! Using design as a common thread, this course answers questions like: High wing placement or low? Swept or unswept? One vertical stabilizer or two? Canard or conventional configuration? Turbofan or turbojet?

“Perfect balance of technical and practical information — best class I’ve taken since I’ve been with NASA (17 years) – spoke at a level where everyone could understand.”
–NASA Marshall, March 2004

Packed full of examples, you will graduate with a solid understanding of the basics of aeronautics and the give-and-take inherent to aircraft design. With clear lesson objectives, the key aspects of aeronautics are presented:

  • Low and High-Speed Aerodynamics Lift: Sources of Drag — Stall — Mach Number Effects — Designing for Speed
  • Stability and Control: Ailerons, Elevator, and Rudder — Designing for Roll, Pitch, and Yaw Stability
  • Structures and Materials: Ribs, Spars, and Pressure Bulkheads — G-Loading — Landing Gear…Composites
  • Propulsion Systems: Propellers to SCRAMjets — Compressor, Combustor, and Turbine — Aircraft & Engine(s) Integration
  • Aircraft Performance: Thrust Curves, Range and Endurance, Glides, Climbs, Takeoffs and Landings, and Turns

Although the focus is clearly on conventional airplanes, discussion will “stray” to other air vehicles, including airships, helicopters, UAVs, and stealth, hypersonic, STOL, and micro-air vehicles. You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, one of the best references available. 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

Aeronautics for Scientist and Engineers – A Practical Perspective

This course follows the same outline as our four-day introductory aeronautics course. However, the additional day provides the opportunity for significantly more detail, in terms of the physics, equations, and graphs. Using design as a common thread, this course answers questions like: High wing placement or low – swept or unswept? One vertical stabilizer or two? Canard or conventional configuration? Turbofan or turbojet? Packed full of examples, you will graduate with a firm foundation in aeronautics.

You’ll leave with a system perspective, as well as a good understanding of the give-and-take inherent to aircraft design. With clear lesson objectives, the key aspects of aeronautics are presented:

“I liked everything, but especially the practical examples and stories to illustrate important points … many thanks for explaining such a difficult subject so simply and making it easy to understand.”
–FAA HQ, June 2005

  • Low and High-Speed Aerodynamics: Lift — Sources of Drag – Boundary Layers — Mach Number Effects
  • Stability and Control: Ailerons, Elevator, and Rudder — Designing for Roll, Pitch, and Yaw Stability – Dynamic Modes
  • Structures and Materials: Ribs, Spars, and Pressure Bulkheads — G-Loading — Landing Gear — Composites
  • Propulsion Systems: Propellers to SCRAMjets — Compressor, Combustor, and Turbine — Aircraft & Engine(s) Integration
  • Aircraft Performance: Thrust Curves, Range and Endurance, Glides, Climbs, Takeoffs and Landings, and Turns

Although the focus is clearly on conventional airplanes, discussion will “stray” to other air vehicles, including airships, helicopters, UAVs, and stealth, hypersonic, STOL, and micro-air vehicles. You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of John D. Anderson’s Introduction to Flight, a standard in most aeronautics curriculums. 4.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.