MAE 3050

Introduction to Aeronautics

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course is an overview of the engineering science relevant to the design of aircraft. It is a course in applied aerodynamics, designed to develop the engineering background required to understand the principal aerodynamic constraints involved in the design of heavier-than-air, atmospheric flight vehicles. Basic concepts in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics are reviewed and described in the context of their relevance to the performance of aircraft and to the stability and controllability of flight vehicles. The fluid mechanical theory for lift and drag forces is developed, the characteristics of aircraft propulsive systems are explored, and the two are brought together to investigate the performance of typical aircraft.

Prerequisites REF-FA25/Corequisites REF-FA25 MAE 2030. Prerequisite or corequisite: ENGRD 2210 or BEE 2220, MAE 3230 or CHEME 3230 or BEE 3310 or CEE 3310. Corequisites: None.

Last 4 terms offered (None)

Outcomes REF-FA25

• Students will be able to understand the basic elements of aerodynamic lift, drag, and moments forming the basis for flight.
• Students will be able to analyze the motion of aircraft to obtain performance, stability and control information.
• Students will be able to perform computer based solutions of problems related to aeronautics.

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