Understanding Flight – An Introduction to Aeronautics

This 4-day course is all about aircraft – how they fly and why they look the way they do. Using design as a common thread, the course answers questions like: High wing or low – swept or unswept? One vertical tail or two? Canard or conventional configuration? Podded or buried engine(s)? Packed full of examples, students will “graduate” with a solid understanding of the basics of aeronautics and the give-and-take inherent to aircraft design.

An afternoon “field trip” to examine actual aircraft, from a design perspective, is an integral part of this course.

Course Goals

Look at aircraft differently than you ever have before
Gain an appreciation for the various and intertwined subject areas “buried” in the field of aeronautics ... and its language
“Graduate” with a “big picture” understanding of aeronautics ... regardless of your academic background

Course Topics

Building Blocks   Language of aeronautics and basic physical principles
Low-Speed Aerodynamics   Explanation of lift, boundary layers, and profile drag
High-Speed Aerodynamics   Mach number, flight regimes, shock & expansion waves, designing for supersonic flight
Aircraft Aerodynamics   Wing geometry, induced and parasite drag, stall speed, and high-lift devices
Stability and Control   Controlling the airplane (from a pilot’s perspective) and designing for roll, pitch, & yaw static stability
Structures and Materials   The “envelope” (V-n diagram), load factors, structural components, materials, and other important considerations (e.g. pressurization and landing gear)
Propulsion Systems   Explanation of thrust, various propulsion systems (propeller, turboprop, turbofan, turbojet, ramjet, and SCRAMjet), and airframe/engine integration
Aircraft Performance   Range, endurance, climbs, glides, takeoffs & landings, powered-lift concepts, and turns ... all from an applied perspective

Who should Attend

Anyone interested in the overall big picture of aeronautics – program managers, engineers (electrical, software, mechanical, etc.), scientists, analysts, aircraft operational, logistical, & maintenance personnel. This is “aero for non-aeros” -- no technical background is necessary!

Course Materials

Each participant will receive:

A complete set of course notes with copies of all slides used in the presentations
A copy of the course text Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators – one of the best reference books on the market
TSTI Alumni status allowing on-line access to course materials, including videos through the Student Lounge

Testimonials

Over a thousand “students” have taken this course – it has earned superb reviews from audiences across the Air Force, Navy, industry, FAA, & NASA. Here’s what a couple graduates have said:

“Best course I’ve ever taken – best instructor I’ve ever had!”
“Exceeded expectations! It was exactly what I was looking for. After 23 years in the propulsion area, I found I knew very little about the rest of the plane.”
“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.”
“I was thrilled to learn the technical aspects of aeronautics and that I wasn’t required to design a plane or solve a ton of equations. This is AERO for NON-AEROS!”