Introduction to Aeronautics – A Practical Perspective
Date & Time:
Coming Soon (Date TBD)
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location:
The National Institute of Aerospace (NIA)
Room 101
100 Exploration Way,
Hampton, Virginia 23666
COURSE DESCRIPTION and MATERIALS: After taking this short course, you will never look at an airplane the same again! Using design as a common thread, this course answers questions such as: 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 solid understanding of the basics of aeronautics and the give-and-take inherent to aircraft design. You’ll also gain an appreciation for the aircraft as a collection of subsystems … a “collection†that must be successfully integrated for the aircraft to accomplish its mission. A “field trip†to a local air museum will hit the concepts home! 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 > Ribs, Spars, and Pressure Bulkheads — G-Loading — Landing Gear — Flight “Envelopeâ€
- Propulsion Systems > Propellers to SCRAMjets — Piston and Gas Turbine Engines — Airframe & Engine Integration
- Aircraft Performance > Thrust Curves, Range and Endurance, Glides, Climbs, Takeoffs and Landings, and Turns
While the focus is clearly on conventional airplanes, discussion will include other air vehicles, including airships, RPVs, helicopters, and stealth, hypersonic, and micro-air vehicles. You will be given a set of course notes and a copy of Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, the best reference available. 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.
—WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation — program managers, engineers, scientists, analysts, and technicians — aircraft operations, test, logistical, and maintenance personnel. A building-block approach is used — no prior knowledge is assumed. Since 2002, we’ve taught thousands of “students†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! Here’s what a few graduates have said:
- “Without a doubt, the best course of any type held here at Edwards AFB†Edwards AFB, California
- “Keep coming back to PAX!!! Excellent course! Would be very beneficial for lots of people! Excellent instructors – I liked the examples and detail of explanation – caring/patient!†NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
- “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.†Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- “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, Alabama
- “Best airplane/flying/aero course I’ve taken! Furthermore, quite possibly the best teaching technique I’ve ever seen. Am going to add this class to our engineer’s required curriculum.†Robins AFB, Georgia
COST, REGISTRATION, and CANCELLATION POLICY: $1650 ($1550 if early registration), $1485 for Federal Government employees — Group discounts are available. For more information and to register, visit PracticalAero.com, contact JEllsworth@PracticalAero.com, or call (719) 659-7319. Substitutions may be made at any time. Cancellations must be received two weeks prior to course start date and are subject to a $50 fee. If you must cancel within the two-week period, and do not have a substitute, you may forfeit the entire fee. Refunds of the registration fee (only) are issued if the course is canceled.
NOTE: This course is an “open enrollment†course and must meet a minimum student count for the offering to be held. If the minimum count is not met, the course will be cancelled not later than two weeks prior to the course start date. Practical Aeronautics will not be responsible for any travel/lodging costs incurred by the student if the course is cancelled.
