Practical Aeronautics

From a practical perspective, we teach introductory aeronautics and propulsion short courses to anyone working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation.

Jet Engine Courses

This 20 hr short 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. A field trip is included when available to reinforce the foundational concepts in a very practical way.

“Really liked how complex concepts were explained in a way that anyone could understand regardless of backgrounds”
Cleveland, Ohio
“Best class ever taken by me in 27 years provided by TAFB.”
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“This was better than any propulsion course I’ve had”
North Charleston, South Carolina
“Loved the personal approach and true appreciation for the craft. Great knowledge and real world application”
Dayton, Ohio

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

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.

This is our most popular introductory propulsion short course. It is the best course for most audiences as it provides a practical appreciation for and foundational understanding of the aircraft gas turbine engine. It is well suited for anyone working with the aircraft-engine system, regardless of functional specialty, experience, or educational background.  A building-block approach is used. No prior knowledge is assumed.

bearing cavity
Bearing Cavity

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. Contact us for more details!

In Affiliation with Dr. Jack Mattingly and Dr. Link Jaw, Practical Aeronautics is proud to offer the following continuing education courses for those with a technical background!

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.

“I will better understand the impact and purpose of the testing I do.  This will help me better communicate with customers.”
Tullahoma, Tennessee
“I liked that you tied this not only together with the aircraft and mission, but also that you pull this back to the Air Force and our overall mission…I think your class really recharges us and reiterates our real purpose in this job.”
Dayton, Ohio
“Teach it as much as possible.  I took 4 years of similar courses in college yet this one tied it all together in 1 week.”-
Cherry Point, North Carolina

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.

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.

As always, I loved the practical aspect. You can learn transfer functions/ plane functions in class, but this course shows how it applies to the work we do and the physical aspects of how it works”
Dayton, Ohio
“Got ideas for trending that can directly apply to issues I am currently facing on the platform I support”
Patuxent River, Maryland
“I have taken Controls in the past, it is difficult and confusing, the three of you were able to make it understandable and “simple”
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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.

Aircraft Engine Systems Design – 3 Courses

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.

“I learned more to apply to my job in this one class than I did in 4 years of college.”
Patuxent River, Maryland
“Loved the fact that we start with a mission and go through all the details down to the component level and see how it all relates”
Dayton, Ohio
“Like getting a better understanding of complexity of designing engines to aircraft requirements”
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Attendees are introduced to the aircraft-engine system design process in a very practical way – by responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) which defines aircraft requirements. Students apply basic principles presented to them to determine the key constraints and mission performance requirements based on the RFP that dictate airframe-engine size and engine thrust and fuel burn requirements. Fundamental insights are gained regarding specific mission application and system-level design choices. The mutually supportive roles of analytical tools, iteration, and judgment are clearly demonstrated. The course can be taken stand-alone, or results are used for the second course in the sequence, Intermediate Engine Design.

Suitable for those with a technical background working any aspect of the aircraft-engine system. 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.

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.

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.

Learn more about other Practical Aero Courses

Why Take A Course with Practical Aero?

More than ever, today’s aircraft are complex systems requiring skilled professionals to combine their specific expertise into a fully integrated vehicle. The professionals who engineer, test, manufacture, and in any way support these aircraft are accomplished specialists, but often lack an overall understanding of the airplane system as a whole. Fundamental understanding of the airplane-engine system gives you improved ability to communicate more effectively and frame thinking beyond your area of expertise.

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