Practical Aeronautics

Jet Engine Fundamentals – A Practical Overview of Gas Turbine Propulsion

After this one-day course, you will have a terrific appreciation for the gas turbine engine – how it works and how it’s used in various air-breathing propulsion systems. With clear lesson objectives, the course follows the outline below:

“Did a great job explaining concepts in easy to understand terms.”
–Ohio Aerospace Institute, March 2009

• Setting the Stage: Fundamental Aerodynamics and a Look the Airplane as a Whole
• How Thrust is Generated
• The Gas Turbine Engine “Core”: Compressor, Combustor, and Turbine
• Propulsion Systems: Turboprop, Turboshaft, Turbofan, and Turbojet
• Practical Considerations: A Pilot’s Perspective
• Review Learning Objectives and Concluding Remarks

You will be given a complete set of course notes. 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

This course is particularly suited for anyone working in the gas turbine engine field, including those manufacturing, testing, and maintaining jet engines.  For those who simply want an appreciation for the jet engine, this is the ideal course.  This includes program managers, technicians, and administrative support.

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 Jet Engines – A Practical Perspective

This course is all about Gas Turbine Engines (GTEs), how they operate and how they are used in various air-breathing propulsion systems.  From a very practical perspective, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of the engine core (compressor, combustor, and turbine) and the various GTE propulsion systems.

“I liked this course immensely because while not being an engineer, I need to have a basic understanding of jet engines and aero for the research project I am currently associated with … this class gave me a great general base of engine knowledge.”
–Ohio Aerospace Institute, March 2009

Course Outline – First Day:

• Introduction and Historical Perspective
• Foundational Concepts:  Blade Geometry, Aerodynamics, and Thrust Fundamentals
• Applications:  Propeller Aerodynamics, Inlets and Nozzles

Second Day:

• The Gas Turbine Engine “Core” :  Compressor, Combustor and Turbine
• Propulsion Systems:  Turbojet, Turbofan, Turboprop, and Turboshaft

Third Day (Morning Only):

• Engine Performance and Operability
• Airframe and Engine(s) Integration
• Review Learning Objectives and Concluding Remarks

You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of Klaus Hunecke’s text, “Jet Engines – Fundamentals of Theory, Design, and Operation.”  2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

In Affiliation with Dr. Jack Mattingly, Practical Aeronautics is proud to offer the following continuing education courses for engineers!

Aircraft Engine Systems Design

This two-week course presents a realistic exposure to the entire aircraft engine system design process, from the statement of aircraft requirements to the detailed design of components, emphasizing installed performance.  The mutually supportive roles of analytical tools, iteration, and judgment are clearly demonstrated.  The methodology employed reproduces the design process of industry and can be applied to any type of engine, while allowing the free substitution of individual design criteria anc calculations.

Week 1 of the course focuses on aircraft-engine system analysis and design, while week 2 emphasizes engine component design.

“This course gave me tools that I will use in my job every day.  I work performance issues and I can now look at the engine with new methods.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           –Tinker AFB, August 2012

Course Outline – Week 1

• Aircraft System Constraint and Mission Analysis
• Parametric Cycle Analysis
• Engine Performance Analysis

Course Outline – Week 2

• Engine Life
• Component Design (Turbomachinery, Combustor, Inlet & Nozzle)
• Engine Layout and Design Team Brief

The course will benefit both young and experienced professionals who wish to broaden their understanding of the engine systems design process.  A working knowledge of thermodynamcis and compressible flow is required, and a background in chemical reactions, materials, and structures is desirable.

The course is based on the popular AIAA Education Series textbook, “Aircraft Engine Design, Second Edition,” and its AEDsys software, both of which are provided to the participants, as are course notes.  This textbook is the winner of the 2005 AIAA Summerfield Book Award, and Dr. Mattingly is the lead author.  7.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

Cycle Analysis of Gas Turbine Engines

This one-week course is for engineers with a fundamental knowledge of thermodynamics who desire a practical understanding of aircraft gas turbine engine cycle performance including design, analysis, and test.  Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of the interplay between basic engine design choices and aircraft-engine system performance.  Course content includes a design project and an engine lab experience featuring engine performance calculations from measured test data, with comparison to performance estimates from cycle analysis software.

“I will better understand the impact and purpose of the testing I do.  This will help me better communicate with customers.”
–Arnold AFB, March 2013

Course highlights include:

• Overview of Aircraft-Engine System Fundamentals
• Fundamentals of Parametric Cycle Analysis
• Fundamentals of Engine Performance Analysis
• Design Team Competition

Both new and experienced engineers working in the aircraft and/or engine technology area will benefit from this course. Attendees will return to their work with an improved understanding of aircraft gas turbine engine cycle analysis as well as the entire engine enterprise.

Course attendees receive a copy of Dr Mattingly’s text “Elements of Propulsion,” his cycle analysis software, AEDsys, as well as course notes.  3.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.