MECH 460 - Aeronautics

This course is designed to provide engineering professionals and students with the fundamental concepts in aircraft performance and operability. Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics principles are applied towards the steady state analysis of performance parameters like aircraft endurance and range, ceiling, climb, descent, and glide. Aircraft transient operability notions like maneuverability, stability and control are covered using the classical control theory. Additionally, the course curriculum also introduces the basic concepts of aircraft propulsion, allowing the course participants capture the fundamental understanding of all aspects of aircraft flight and appreciate the mechanics of the safest mode of transportation.
Upon successful completion of this course, the participants should be able to:
• calculate aircraft aerodynamics including lift and drag,
• analyze aircraft performance including maximum velocity, range and endurance, take-off and landing,
• evaluate airplane stability and control, and
• conduct airplane propulsion calculations
The 8-week Summer version of this course is a fully online offering, specially designed for engineering professionals who are interested in pursuing professional development opportunities, and senior-year and graduate students who are seeking elective credits and are interested in pursuing an aeronautical engineering career.