This course introduces the fundamentals of aircraft mission analysis and conceptual aircraft design, with emphasis on developing, evaluating, documenting, and presenting a complete aircraft design. Students progress from mission requirements to aircraft configuration, sizing, performance analysis, design trade studies, and verification.
The course integrates technical analysis with engineering decision-making. Students learn to translate mission objectives into design requirements, estimate aircraft weight and performance, select major components, and justify design decisions using quantitative trade studies.
Course Topics
Students develop competency in the major elements of conceptual aircraft design, including:
- Aircraft mission analysis
- Conceptual aircraft configuration development
- Weight estimation for aerospace systems
- Wing design and sizing
- Payload compartment design
- Stabilizer and control surface design
- Engine selection and aircraft systems design
- Aircraft performance analysis
- Design trade studies
- Design verification
- Technical design documentation and presentation
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Perform aircraft mission analysis and use the results to generate a conceptual aircraft design.
- Conduct weight estimation to support aerospace system design decisions.
- Develop, verify, document, and present a complete aircraft design.
Design Emphasis
The course emphasizes the iterative nature of aircraft design. Students evaluate competing design options, balance mission performance against weight, propulsion, stability, payload, and systems constraints, and communicate their final design through professional documentation and presentation.