Aircraft engine/Gas turbine engine Courses
two courses
Introductory Aircraft Engine/gas Turbine Engine Short Courses
Introduction to Jet Engines
A Practical Perspective
20 hour short course
Introduction to Gas turbine Engine Mechanical Systems
A Practical Perspective
20 hour short course
The focus of this 20 hr class is foundational understanding of gas turbine engine (GTE) “secondary” or “support” systems – bearings and lubrication, sealing, cooling, heating, gearing, fuel delivery, starting and power takeoff. These systems are required to support overall engine operation yet are often not well understood or covered in college courses. You will leave the class with a newfound, practical perspective on GTE mechanical systems to include improved vocabulary, the important physical principles governing system operation, and the challenging operating, maintenance, and integration environments. Case studies will drive home reasons why these important systems are often top drivers of engine readiness, maintenance, and safety issues. Suitable for anyone with interest (engineer or not) in any gas turbine engine application.
“I did not know much about bearings and seals going into the course. Now I feel confident to the point where I can take part in more conversations, and I know enough to ask more questions.”
Dayton, Ohio
“Liked interactive Learning Objectives at the end of each lesson, lots of good visuals, liked having physical engine parts to pass around and inspect, case studies were good to discuss to see practical application of learned material”
Patuxent River, Maryland
“Knowing how all the secondary systems fit in will better allow me to make informed decisions on making allowances and how they would affect the whole system.”
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
With clear learning objectives, the course covers the following topics:
- Introduction, Thermodynamics and the Gas Turbine Engine
- Engine Flowpaths and Components – Primary and Secondary
- Secondary Air Systems – Cooling, Heating, Controlling, Sealing
- Gear Systems and Engine-Driven Accessories
- Lubrication and Bearing Systems
- Field Trip (when possible) or In-Class Activity
- Fuel Systems
- Small Group Case Studies
You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of Aircraft Gas Turbine Powerplants Textbook, by Otis and Vosbury. 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
This course is designed for anyone working with GTE applications who wants to gain a practical appreciation for and foundational understanding of these important GTE systems — engineers, scientists, maintenance, repair, overhaul, operational, managers, contracting officers, etc. A building-block approach is used — no prior knowledge is assumed.
IN AFFILIATION WITH DR. LINK JAW AND WITH EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS GRANTED BY DR. JACK MATTINGLY, Practical Aeronautics is proud to offer the following continuing education courses for those with a technical background!
two courses
Advanced Aircraft Engine/gas Turbine Engine Short Courses
Cycle Analysis of Gas Turbine Engines
36 hour short course
This workshop-style short course is for those with a technical background who desire a practical understanding of gas turbine engine cycle performance including design, analysis, and test applied to an air, ship, or ground vehicle. Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of the interplay between basic engine design choices and vehicle-engine system performance. Course content includes a design project (which can be tailored) and a lab experience featuring engine performance calculations from measured test data, with comparison to performance estimates from cycle analysis software.
Course highlights include:
- Overview of Vehicle-Engine System Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Parametric Cycle Analysis
- Fundamentals of Engine Performance Analysis
- Design Team Competition
Both new and experienced folks working in the gas turbine engine technology area or aircraft, maritime, or ground vehicle systems that use gas turbine propulsion will benefit from this course. Attendees will return to their work with an improved understanding of gas turbine engine performance and analysis as well as its influence on the system application.
Course attendees receive a copy of the popular AIAA Education Series textbook “Elements of Propulsion, Second Edition,” written by Jack Mattingly and Keith Boyer, published in 2016, and winner of the 2019 AIAA Summerfield Book Award. They also receive the latest version of Dr. Mattingly’s cycle analysis software, AEDsys, as well as course notes. 3.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
Fundamentals of Aircraft Engine Controls, Accessories and Health Management
36 hour short course
This 36 hr short course is for those with a technical background who desire a foundational understanding of aircraft engine control and accessory systems for both turbofan and turboshaft engines. Course material focuses on five key topics: 1) overview of engine controls systems; 2) modeling and simulation; 3) system integration; 4) advanced control concepts; and 5) engine health management. Emphasis is on hands-on learning as numerous computer laboratories are interwoven with the lesson material. Theory and practice come together with practical applications.
Course highlights include:
- Engine Performance and Operability
- Fundamentals of Automatic Control and Engine Modeling
- Engine Set-Point and Transient Control Design
- Introduction to Active Controls and Advanced Control Concepts
- Engine Accessory Systems and Modeling
- Engine Health Management
- Multiple Computer Labs
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
The course is targeted for those with a technical background. A background in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, mechanics, or automatic control systems is desirable but not necessary. Some knowledge in gas turbine engines is preferred. The course is tailored for design engineers and maintenance engineers who routinely deal with sustainment of engines that employ Full Authority Digital Electronic Controls (FADEC) and hydro-mechanical controls. Attendees will return to their work with an improved understanding of aircraft gas turbine engine controls and accessory systems needed to ensure robust engine performance and operability.
The course is based on the AIAA Education Series textbook, Aircraft Engine Controls, Design, System Analysis, and Health Monitoring, which is provided to the participants as are course notes. The text is written by Dr. Link Jaw with Dr. Jack Mattingly. 3.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
Three courses
Aircraft Engine Systems Design
Our short courses in Aircraft Engine Systems Design (AESD) may be taken individually or as a 3-class sequence. The classes, listed in order of widest audience applicability, are:
AESD – Introductory Systems Analysis (16 hr)
AESD – Intermediate Engine Design (20 hr)
AESD – Advanced Component Design (36 hr)
Individual course descriptions are provided below. These courses will benefit both young and experienced engineers/scientists who wish to broaden their understanding of the strong interplay between design choices, application, and mission. Analysis and design proceeds in response to a simple Request For Proposal (this can be tailored), which specifies the aircraft performance requirements. We have deliberately designed all three courses with this systems-level perspective in mind. Students work in “design teams” which helps reinforce learning. 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 many engine types, while allowing for the free substitution of individual design criteria and calculations.
The courses are based on the popular AIAA Education Series textbook “Aircraft Engine Design, Third Edition,” written by Mattingly, Heiser, Boyer, Haven, and Pratt, published in 2018, and its AEDsys software, both of which are provided to the participants, as are course notes. The textbook is the winner of the 2005 AIAA Summerfield Book Award.
Aircraft Engine Systems Design
Introductory Systems Analysis
16 hour short course
Aircraft Engine Systems Design
Intermediate Engine Design
20 hour short course
Attendees are provided details of an engine on-design and off-design methodology like that used in industry. Based on results from constraint and mission analyses, students design and analyze engines, ultimately selecting a “best” engine by sizing, testing, installing and flying candidate engines through key aircraft mission segments to ensure performance requirements are met. Methods to include throttle-dependent system installation losses based on fundamental principles are included. Invaluable insights are gained into the strong interplay between system-level choices, engine design choices and mission. Designs are presented and discussed. This course can be taken stand-alone but is best taken following AESD Introductory Systems Analysis. Specification documents are prepared for the AESD Advanced Component Design course as needed.
Suitable for those with a technical background working any aspect of the aircraft-engine system. 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
Aircraft Engine Systems Design
Advanced Component Design
36 hour short course
Attendees are provided foundational principles governing preliminary engine component design to include aerodynamics as well as stress and materials considerations. Based on results from a candidate engine design, students design and analyze the turbomachinery, combustor, afterburner (if applicable), inlet, and exhaust nozzle. Specification documents are finalized, and overall designs presented and discussed.
Suitable for those with a technical background working in any aspect supporting aircraft gas turbine engine design, manufacturing, maintenance, or sustainment. 3.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
What’s Special about Practical Aero Courses?
Unique Content Design, Systems Focus,
Unique Teaching Style, Building Block Approach