Welcome

OVERVIEW

The course consists of the conceptual/preliminary design of an airplane, with the first iteration in AE 460A and a second iteration, with additional requirements, in AE 460B.

PREREQUISITES

  • AE 302 High Speed Aerodynamics
  • AE 303 Experimental Aerodynamics
  • AE 310 Aerospace Structural Analysis

PROJECTS

Design projects are described in detail by material provided by the instructor.  There are three project options for this year: Air Force Advanced Pilot Trainer (APT), Close Air Support aircraft (CAS), or Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ).  The following constraints and conditions apply:

  • Teams shall be a minimum of 5 students, with a maximum of 6.
  • Technical and administrative guidance will be provided by the instructor.
  • Tasking, grading and general format and content is specified in the Statement of Work (SOW)
  • Technical memos and design reports shall follow the Statement of Work (SOW) and Report Content Requirements (RCR).
  • A Peer Review (PDR with peers) informal oral presentation will be made in early November.
  • A Preliminary Design Review (PDR) formal oral presentation will be made to a panel selected from the industry in late April.
  • To ensure a variety, the instructor will assign the student projects, but will based on the order of the team’s requested preference.

STUDENT EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME

At the conclusion of AE 460B, the student is expected to have reached most of the following goals:

1.   An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering (ABET Criterion 3a).

2.   An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (ABET Criterion 3b).

3.   An ability to work on multi-disciplinary teams to design a complex system, such as aircraft or spacecraft, from conceptual to preliminary design, within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. (ABET Criterion 3c, 3d & 3j).

4.   An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (ABET Criterion 3e).

5.   An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility (ABET Criterion 3f).

6.   An ability to communicate effectively, using oral, written and graphical communication skills (ABET Criterion 3g).

7.   The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context (ABET Criterion 3h).

8.   A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning (ABET Criterion 3i).

9.   An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (ABET Criterion 3k).

10. An understanding of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control

11. AE460 uses a System Requirements Document of realistic aircraft design requirements to fulfill this outcome.  Included is a knowledge of contemporary issues needed to design the system.