Syllabus

AEM 4331

Aerospace Vehicle Design I: Aircraft

3 Credits

 

Catalog Description:

 

Students teams/disciplines design atmospheric flight vehicle with realistic constraints and engineering standards. Design process, project environment, mission requirements, trade studies, vehicle sizing, performance, stability/control, propulsion, trajectory analysis, CAD/vehicle integration, systems/equipment, operating envelopes, baseline specification, certification. Professional ethics/responsibilities. Students keep design log and present an oral conceptual design review with written report.

 

Course Web Address:

 

http://www.aem.umn.edu/courses/aem4331/

 

Prerequisites by Topic:

 

1.      Mechanics of Flight (AEM2301)

2.      Aerodynamics (AEM 4202)

 

Text:

 

Inviting Disaster: Lessons from the Edge of Technology, James R. Chiles, Harper, 2001

Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, 4^th Edition, Daniel R. Raymer, AIAA, 20006

 

Format of Course: 

 

Two hours of lectures per week plus weekly design team meetings at recitation times.

 

Computer Usage:

 

CAD

 

Course Objectives:

 

Develop an understanding of the design process and how to work as a member of a team to accomplish the design of an aerospace vehicle: develop ability to identify key issues and apply technical knowledge to resolve these issues, learn basic CAD skills and use them to integrate the physical design of an aerospace vehicle. Other important objectives: appreciate the importance of professionalism/ethics, develop written and oral communication skills.

 

Course Outcomes:

 

Students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate the following outcomes by accomplishing the conceptual design of a spacecraft or aircraft with assignments, meetings, trade studies, oral presentations and written reports.

 

1.     An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering

2.     An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs.

3.     An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams. 

4.     An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. 

5.     An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities. 

6.     An ability to communicate effectively. 

7.     A knowledge of contemporary issues. 

8.     An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. 

 

Relationship of course to program objectives:

 

This course is an integrated design experience in which students learn teamwork, problem solving skills, system design and oral and written communication skills.  The course involves fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, aerospace structures and dynamics and controls.  The course also teaches professionalism and ethics, and is designed to foster life-long learning.

 

Relationship of course to program outcomes:

 

This course provides the following program outcomes:

 

1. Apply mathematics
2. Design and conduct experiments
3. System design
4. Multidisciplinary teamwork
5. Identify engineering problems
6. Professionalism and ethics
7. Communication skills
8. Lifelong learning
9. Contemporary issues
10. Engineering tools
11. Aerodynamics
12. Materials
13. Structures
14. Propulsion
15. Flight mechanics
16. Stability and control

 

Course Outline:

 

Students will be assigned to projects based on their job application letters; each team will be lead by one or two student manager(s). Students will meet for lecture on selected topics (see following list) during the first hour followed by team meetings during the second hour during which the students will develop their conceptual design. 

 

Lecture (Hrs, approx.)	Topic
2	Course Introduction and Overview, Project Descriptions, Team Organization and Disciplines, Job Application Letter
2	Introduction to Design and Design Process, Project Statement, Detailed Design Requirements, Trade Studies
1	Vehicle Concepts and Structural Systems Vehicle Systems and Equipment
2	Review Selected Analytical Tools
2	Vehicle Mission Requirements; Vehicle Sizing and Weight Estimates/Requirements Vehicle Operating Envelopes
1	ISO 9000
1	Operating in the National Airspace System
1	Defining the Vehicles: Baseline Specification/Drawing
1	Certification - FAR and other criteria
6	Using CAD for Physical Integration CAD Demo/Tutorial Parts and Assembly/Installation Drawings
3	Professional Ethics: Role Morality and Preventive Ethics Code of Ethics Standards of Responsibility - Malpractice/Civil Virtue
1	Tips: Conceptual Design Review/ Oral Presentations Written Reports

 

Outcome Measurement:

 

Outcomes are measured individual and team oral presentations (including CDR), CAD drawings, design logs (notebooks), written reports, class attendance/participation and peer evaluations.

 

Student Survey Questions:

 

This course improved my ability to do the following:

 

1.      Apply knowledge of math, science and engineering.

2.      Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs.

3.      Function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

4.      Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.

5.      Understand my professional and ethical responsibilities.

6.      Communicate effectively.

7.      Be aware of contemporary issues.

8.      Use modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

 

Please answer the following questions regarding this course:

 

9.      The courses job application process gave me a fair chance to work in an area which I have strong professional interests.

10.  The tutorial and rocket project were a good way of acquiring beginner SolidWorks skills.

11.  The textbooks were useful references and appropriate for the course.

12.  The courses team/discipline organization is a good way to teach students teamwork to prepare them for the job market.

13.  Classroom time spent on team meetings was adequate to identify, discuss and resolve most of the design projects major issues.

14.  The level of work required in this course was appropriate for the credit given.

15.  The design projects selected for the course were interesting, challenging and appropriate for the course.

16.  The design project gave me the opportunity to integrate material from several of my previous courses.

 

In this course, I acquired the following:

17.  A good understanding of the design process.

18.  A basic knowledge of SolidWorks.

19.  Ability to develop detailed design requirements from a general mission statement.

20.  Ability to identify major trade-offs and resolve them using my technical skills.

21.  Ability to work with and respect other students, and accept their ideas even if they conflict with my own.

22.  An opportunity to develop professional skills in my discipline interest(s).

 

Last modified:

 

2007-6-13