Proemium
Preparing students for courses in aerospace engineering has many challenges. The depth and breadth of material that prospective aerospace engineers are expected to know upon entering the workplace have grown substantially in recent decades. Therefore, designing an introductory course that provides a strong foundation and prepares students for further study and future careers in the industry is essential. Furthermore, the emphasis on lifelong learning has never been more critical.
Over the decades, numerous discussions and debates have taken place regarding what course material constitutes a thorough introduction to the subject matter relevant to aeronautical and aerospace engineering. Many possible answers have been proposed, including those from distinguished academics, and numerous applicable and valuable books have been written to cover the field. However, it still seems that nobody knows how to teach engineering, and everyone else thinks that each new engineering book or revised course is no better than the previous one; Plerosque discipulos aliquando satisfactory potes, sed nanomoles discipulos semper satisfactory potes.
Interestingly, the modern industry’s perspective differs somewhat from academia’s, as the industry emphasizes the need for more practical skills such as programming and computer-aided design. However, it is undeniable that the primary requirement for success as an engineer is a solid foundation in all fundamental technical principles, including core subjects such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Striving for a good balance between theory and practical skills is crucial for a successful aerospace engineer; one must support the other. This balance fosters engineering innovation, critical thinking, and the ability to tackle new challenges effectively. This approach can also help students build a stronger foundation, enabling them to excel in their future studies and careers.
This e-book (or webbook) was initially written for AE201 Aerospace Flight Vehicles students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is a resource for ERAU students, students at other colleges and universities, and anyone who might be interested and find it helpful. It is freely distributed worldwide under a Creative Commons, non-commercial, and non-derivative (CC NC, CC BY-NC) license. By being freely accessible and distributed, it has the potential to reach a wider audience and provide educational opportunities for those who might not otherwise have access to such resources. This CC NC, CC BY-NC license also ensures that the core material will remain unaltered and available for future generations to use and build upon, rather than being commercialized for corporate or personal profit, a severe failing of the modern world.
The AE201 course was first introduced into the Aerospace Engineering program at ERAU in Fall 2017. This new course was designed to cover, at an introductory level, a broad range of fundamental technical topics relevant to aerospace engineering. The course was also intended to bring aerospace topics into the 4-year aerospace program earlier and cover essential prerequisites for later studies. Based on student and faculty feedback, the course’s success has been remarkable, indicating that it has effectively fulfilled its intended purpose. Students have benefited from the early exposure to aerospace topics, allowing them to understand critical concepts and principles comprehensively. It has better prepared them for the rigors of an aerospace engineering curriculum.
The first part of this e-book is structured and divided into lessons centered around a one-hour lecture period. Individual instructors will inevitably choose more specific content aligned with their own syllabus – covering all the content in one lecture will not be possible. Still, students will have an opportunity to read further or be assigned content for self-study. Students eventually come to realize that self-learning is essential and that relying solely on classroom instruction is necessary but insufficient for achieving long-term success. The e-book has an attractive, interactive design that promotes evidence-based teaching practices such as scaffolded learning.
Each lesson includes text content with detailed illustrations, application problems, a self-assessment quiz, and topics for further discussion, both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, hyperlinks to supplementary resources are provided to support students who wish to explore each topic in greater detail. At the end of the e-book, there are numerous additional worked examples and application problems for students, mostly former homework or exam questions.
The overarching concept of this e-book is to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the aerospace field, emphasizing technical content while making the material engaging and accessible. The latter parts of this e-book are intended primarily for self-study and to serve as a primer for the continuing student on other important technical topics in aerospace engineering.
Much success and best wishes in your future studies!
J. Gordon Leishman, D.Sc.(Eng.), Ph.D., F.R.Ae.S.
Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering, ERAU, Daytona Beach, FL.
Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Contact the author via email at LeishmanEbook@gmail.com.
