Syllabus

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Design (37.4230)
Prof. Brian E. Thompson, Supervising Professor
Mechanical Engineering, Aeronatuical Engineering & Mechanics
JEC 2028, Ext. 6989
thompson@rpi.edu
Office hours: W and F 10:00=10:50

AEROBATICS AIRCRAFT

Course Objective

The conceptual design of a fixed-wing aircraft to satisfy aerobatic specifications, including elements of initial sizing, geometry selection (or vehicle configuration), aerodynamics, propulsion integration, stability and control, loads, structures, manufacturability, and cost analysis. A more detailed description of the AEROBATIC AIRPLANE PROJECT is also given.

Text

D. F. Raymer, Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, AIAA Education Series; to be brought to class.

Attendance

Rrequired participation in over 90% of all classes and team meetings; classes on xx and xx at xx:xx-xx:xx in xxx; team meetings of 3 hours weekly outside of class. Minutes of team meetings to be emailed to your teammates and Prof. Thompson before xx lectures.

Final Grade Calculation

100% Total = 70% Design Team + 30% Individual + 10% Lessons Learned Bonus

Assignments for Semester

Individual:

Design Team:

Course Objective

Late Submission Policy Late submissions will not be graded.

Grades Appeal

Step 1: Consult with Professor Thompson
Step 2: Follow the procedure outlined in the Rensselaer Handbook

Academic Integrity

See the attached "Ethic Statement" and see the Rensselaer Handbook, "Fixed-Wing Aircraft Design 37.4230."

Course Goals

The goals for students in this course are:

  1. To foster practical design strategies for aircraft that encourage innovation.
  2. To develop a framework for assessing strategic and technological advancements with potential for impacting aircraft designs and the the industrry.
  3. To obtain experience with the interactive motivations, including social. economical and technological factors, that need to be in harmony in designs of aircraft.
  4. To understand the constraints that develop from decisions made during conceptual design.
  5. To experience a strategic approach to design, typical of the aircraft industry.

Long-Term Commitment

This course tries to provide realistic design experience in preparation for the assignments typically found in the aircraft industry. Your suggestions and feedback now and after some industrial experience will be MOST appreciated.

Design Teams

Design teams will comprise 3 members. Each member will be Lead Engineer for one Phase. Lead Engineers are responsible for all aspects (i.e., assignments, team management, final decisions, reporting) for their team during the Phase for which they are in charge.

Design Course Characteristics

Design course projects do not have a single correct answer. Design is different from analysis. Design courses are different from engineering science courses. It is common to become discouraged and frustrated with design problems. As an Engineer and Designer, you will find it necessary to tske the initiative and sometimes follow your intuition. Although methods that were successful in analytical courses need to be applied by engineering designers, new skills will be needed in this course because judgments will need to be made and these will influence your performance and grade. REMEBER ... Initiative and Intuition.

Communication

Communication is very important in design, as it is elsewhere. Poor communication will cloud the apparent benefits of your design and can result in misunderstandings, both of which can be detrimental to your success.

Additional References

Additions references are available at the Bookstore.

  1. D. Stinton: The Design of the Aeroplane, AIAA Education Series, NY, 1993.
  2. D. Stinton: The Anatomy of the Aeroplane, AIAA Education Series, NY, 1985.
  3. G. C. Oates: Aircraft Propulsion Systems Technology and Design, AIAA Education Series, NY, 1989.
  4. N.S. Currey: Aircraft Landing Gear Design: Principles and Practices, AIAA Educational Series, NY, 1988.
  5. F. M. Hoblit: Gust Loads on Aircraft: Concepts and Applications, AIAA Educational Series, NY, 1988.
  6. D. Stinton: Flying Qualities and Flight Testing of the Airplane, AIAA Educational Series, NY, 1996.

Library References

  1. M. Lambert (ed.): Jane¹s All the World¹s Aircraft, Jane¹s Information Group, Alexandria, VA, RPI Ref. Lib. REF TL501 J3.
  2. J. Roskam: Airplane Design, Parts I-VIII, Roskam Aviation, 1985.
  3. CFR 14 Aircraft and Aviation; Part 23 - General Aviation Aircraft; Part 35 - Aircraft Engines.
  4. S. F. Hoerner and H. V. Borst: Fluid Dynamic LIft, Hoerner Fluid Dynamics, Brick Town, NJ, 1985.
  5. S. F. Hoerner: Fluid Dynamic Drag: Theory of Wing Sections, Dover Publications, NY, 1959.
  6. I. H. Abbott and A. E. von Doenhoff: Theory of Wing Sections, Dover Publications, NY, 1959.
  7. D. Kuchemann: The Aerodynamic Design of Aircraft, Pergamon, NY, 1978.
  8. L. M. Nicolai: Fundamentals of Aircraft Design, Mets Inc., San Jose, CA, 1985.
  9. C. E. Lan and J. Roskam: Airplane Aerodynamics and Performance, Roskam Aviation, KS, 1980.A
  10. J. Roskam: Airplane Flight Dynamics and Automatic Flight Controls, Roskam Aviation, KS, 1979.

Journals and Aircraft Associations


This page was last updated, December 15, 1997.