Proemium
Preparing students for courses in aerospace engineering has many challenges. The depth and breadth of knowledge expected of prospective aerospace engineers 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 which course materials constitute 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, industry’s perspective differs somewhat from academia’s, as industry emphasizes the need for more practical skills, such as programming and computer-aided design. However, the primary requirement for success as an engineer is a solid foundation in 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; both must support one another. 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 eBook (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 provide an introductory-level coverage of a broad range of fundamental technical topics relevant to aerospace engineering. The course was also intended to introduce aerospace topics earlier in the 4-year aerospace program and to cover essential prerequisites for subsequent 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 early exposure to aerospace topics, enabling them to understand critical concepts and principles more comprehensively. It has better prepared them for the rigors of an aerospace engineering curriculum.
The first part of this eBook is structured into lessons aligned with a one-hour lecture period. Individual instructors will inevitably choose more specific content aligned with their syllabi; covering all content in a single lecture is not feasible. 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 eBook has an attractive, interactive design that promotes evidence-based teaching practices such as scaffolded learning.
Each lesson includes text with detailed illustrations, application problems, a self-assessment quiz, and topics for further discussion, both within and beyond 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 eBook, there are numerous additional worked examples and application problems for students, mostly drawn from previous homework or exam questions.
This eBook includes additional content suitable for both junior- and senior-level courses in aerospace engineering, as well as selected graduate-level topics. Its overarching goal is to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the field of aerospace, combining rigorous technical coverage with an engaging and accessible presentation. The later chapters cover other types of flight vehicles, including helicopters, VTOL aircraft, electric airplanes, sailplanes, lighter-than-air vehicles, and space vehicles, and are intended primarily for self-study. These sections serve as a bridge to more advanced coursework and as a primer on important technical topics that continuing students in aerospace engineering are likely to encounter.
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 FlightVehicles.eBook@gmail.com.
