Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering

Introduction and History: History and evolution of aircraft, conventional airplane, progress in airplane design and application, current status, other kinds of heavier than air vehicle, helicopter, VTOL machines, space vehicles, reusable space vehicles and space shuttle, different parts of airplane, airfoil nomenclature and types, effect of viscosity and concept of boundary layer, high lift devices.

Basics of aerodynamics: Aerodynamic characteristics, types of lifting surface, types of wing plane- forms, lift and drag forces, lift to drag ratio as efficiency of a lifting surface, aspect ratio, airplane axis system, forces and moments, equilibrium of forces developed on wing and horizontal tail, aircraft stability, location of centre of gravity and centre of pressure their importance, elementary performance of airplane, use of elevator, rudder and ailerons.

Basics of propulsion: Requirement of power to fly, balance of forces, various means of producing power for forward flight, engine airframe compatibility, propellers nomenclature, types of propellers and theirs uses, different types of piston and jet engines, locations of such engines, rocket engines and various types of propellants.

Basics of structure: Configuration of fuselage and wings, evolution of structure, progress in materials: wooden to all metal airplanes, strength to weight ratio of aircraft materials, importance of weight load factors of safety in aeronautics and aerospace applications, details of the structural layout of wing, fuselage tail planes, cockpit and cabin configuration, different types of materials for airplane and engine application, materials for space vehicles, advance composite materials.

Aircraft systems: Elementary studies on hydraulic, pneumatic, pressurizing air-conditioning and oxygen systems, landing gear and control surface actuating system, aircraft electrical systems, elementary studies of generation and on-board distribution of electricity. Aviation legislation: Guidelines for airplane design, type certification and airworthiness certificate, role of DGCA in air safety and regulatory authority, accident investigation and rules of maintenance and services.