Introduction to Aircraft Operations provides students, engineers, mechanics and other professionals with exposure to aircraft systems, flight testing, operations and piloting. The course is intended to be a stand-alone program focused on helping attendees understand the theory, regulations and practical methods of testing and operating aircraft. It can also be used as a pre-cursor to flight training for private pilot certification. Classroom discussions focus on aerodynamics, aircraft design, flight testing, certification and piloting skills. Students will receive a pilot logbook and 2.5 hours of instruction in the AATD flight simulator and 2.5 hours of instruction in Piper Cherokee or Cessna 172 aircraft with a certified flight instructor.
$1,500
|
Meeting |
Topic |
Details |
|
1 |
Aerodynamics |
Airflow, dynamic pressure, airfoils, angle of attack, camber, lift, drag, Bernoulli, and Newton |
|
2 |
Wings and Tails |
Wing span, chord, sweep, taper, twist, dihedral. Wing-tail configurations, pitching moment, and center of gravity |
|
3 |
Aircraft Design |
Conceptual design, sizing, configuration, and requirements |
|
4 |
Aircraft Structures |
Wing spars, ribs, skins. Control surfaces, fuselage, and landing gear |
|
5 |
Propulsion System |
Propellers, internal combustion engines, gas turbine engines, turbojets, turbofans, and gliders |
|
6 |
Stability and Control |
Longitudinal and lateral static stability, dynamic stability, modes, and maneuvering |
|
7 |
Flight Testing |
Flight test methods, flight cards, maneuvers, data analysis, and reporting |
|
8 |
Aircraft Certification & Maintenance |
Part 23 aircraft certification for certified aircraft. Experimental amateur built requirement |
|
9 |
Aircraft Types and Use Cases |
Single engine, multi-engine, pressurized, turbine. Private, commercial, air carrier, government, and research |
|
10 |
Pilot Certification |
Private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, flight instructor, air transport pilot |
Plaster Center P305 – UMKC Flight Simulator Room
ATD Flight Systems - MKC Charles Wheeler Downtown Airport
Engineers, scientists, educators, students, and other technically-minded professionals interested in understanding more about aircraft flight operations. The course can be used to satisfy curiosity, as continuing professional education, in support of employee roles, or as a precursor to flight training and earning an FAA Private Pilot Certificate. No requirements for successful completion of the course.
This course is focused on providing a transition between the engineering thought process and the pilot training thought process. It helps attendees understand why airplane design engineers made specific design choices and provides a foundation for how aircraft achieve and maintain flight. The insight gained in this course will allow engineers to viscerally experience the vehicles they design.
About the instructor
Mujahid Abdulrahim, PhD, CFI is an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering at UMKC. His research areas focus on novel aircraft design, flight control systems, and autonomous robotics. Mujahid is a certified flight instructor with more than 1000 hours of flying experience in 30 different aircraft types.
Mujahid earned BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida. His graduate work focused on using biological inspiration to improve the agility and performance of micro air vehicles and included elements of aircraft design, fabrication, flight testing, data analysis, and control design.
Mujahid regularly maintains and flies a Thorp S-18 experimental aircraft and has rented aircraft from more 20 different flight schools. He teaches private and commercial students in single engine aircraft and is a commercial, multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot. Mujahid teaches Aircraft Design and Flight and Road Vehicle Test Engineering courses at UMKC.