Aviation and Aerospace

Technological advances in air and space flight have made aviation a dynamic and rapidly growing industry. The tagline “Faster, Farther, Cheaper” has never been more appropriate. Aviation and space industries will need educated and skilled workers to not only replace those pilots, technicians and engineers who will soon be retiring but also to fill the newly created positions necessitated by invention.


This rigorous course will provide the eager student an introduction to the science of air and space flight and the career opportunities available following this course of study. Learn to fly. This course is designed to serve as a general introduction to topics covered in aviation ground school and will serve to assist the student in preparing for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot and Sport Pilot written exams. This course will include flight simulator time in the classroom and a familiarization flight around the Twin Cities Terminal Control Area.


Topics covered will include, among others, the history of aviation and space flight, the physics of flight, aviation meteorology, navigation and communications, aircraft systems, instruments and performance, and the history and engineering successes of major human spaceflight missions.


Aviation and Aerospace: Syllabus

Texts: Private Pilot Manual (2010 ed.), Jeppesen
Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Federal Aviation Administration
Readings and notes from various sources
Week Schedule of Topics and Assignments Reading Quiz/Exam
Fundamentals of Flight
1 Introduction
A Brief History of Aviation
Pilot Training: How can I become a pilot?
Career Opportunities in Aviation		  
2-3 Anatomy of an Airplane
Structure and Components
Flight Instruments		  
4 Aerodynamics and the Principles of Flight
Forces of Flight
Aicraft Stability and Maneuvering		  
Flight Operations
5 Safety of Flight
The Cockpit
The Airport
Aeronautical Charts and Defined Airspace
6 Communication and Flight Information
Radar and Air Traffic Control
Aircraft Radio
Sources of Flight Information
Aviation Weather
7-8 Meteorology for Pilots
Basic Weather Theory
Understanding Weather Patterns and Potential Hazards to Aviators
Obtaining and Interpreting Weather Reports and Forecasts
Sources of Weather Information
Aircraft Performance and Navigation
9 Factors Affecting Aircraft Performance
Understanding Performance Charts
Weight and Balance
Flight Computers
10-11 Navigation
"Seat of the Pants" and Dead Reckoning
Instrument Flying and VOR Navigation
ADF Navigation
Advanced Navigation		  
Integrating Pilot Knowledge and Human Factors
12 Human Physiology and Flight
Decision Making
Flight Planning
Federal Aviation Regulations and the CFRs
Aerospace and Space Flight
13-14 The Environment of Space – Beyond the “Wild Blue Yonder”
The Solar System
Earth and it’s Reference Systems
Gravitation and Mechanics
Interplanetary Trajectories and Planetary Orbits
Electromagnetic Phenomena
15-16 Space Flight Procedures and Projects
Spacecraft Classification
Telecommunications
Typical Onboard Systems and Science Instruments
Spacecraft Navigation
Space Flight Operations		  

Aviation and Aerospace: Guidelines & Expectations

We are partners in learning. During this course, you will have the opportunity to discover things about aviation and aerospace that should amaze and fascinate you. I will make every effort to present this material in an interesting, informative, and provocative way. However, attending class and paying attention will probably not be all you need to do to achieve success here. I expect you to study at least 1 hour each day (7-10 hours/week), outside of class, so you may fully understand and assimilate this material. You need to make this effort.


Come to class on time. Students are expected to be in their assigned seat at the tone that marks the beginning of the period. Three or more unexcused tardies will result in disciplinary action. Each student is expected to exhibit appropriate classroom behavior. Disruptions and annoyances that interfere with students’ ability to learn will not be tolerated. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices will not be permitted during class.


Be prepared each day with your text (if requested), notebook, pen or pencil, calculator, and an active mind. Please don’t ask to borrow a pen, pencil, calculator, or mind.


If you miss a day, you miss a lot. It will be your responsibility to make up all work due to absence. Immediately upon your return to class, you should make an appointment with me to discuss what you have missed. Failure to do so may result in no credit (grade of 0) awarded for the assignments missed. Be sure to contact a responsible classmate to obtain notes you missed during your absence.


Assignments need to be completed on time. Work turned in late (except for absences noted above) will not be accepted and a grade of 0 will be given. You will be given sufficient time to complete your assignments. Many of these assignments require several days to complete. Do not wait until the night before the due date to attempt to complete these tasks.


Your submitted assignments must be just that...yours. Cheating, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Penalties for this type of infraction will be severe, up to and including an F in the course.


Grading Procedure: Students receive their grade based upon the total number of points earned from the following assessments:

Tests and quizzes: 40% Grading scale: A 93-100 A- 90-92
Laboratory exercises and observations: 40%   B+ 88-89 B 82-87 B- 80-81
Class activities (i.e. projects, reports, homework): 20%   C+ 78-79 C 72-77 C- 70-71
  D+ 68-69 D 62-67 D- 60-61
            F < 60


This is an "elective" course. I am assuming you are here because you want to learn about Aviation and Aerospace. To do well, your work needs to be completed on time and be a reflection of your best efforts.

Please also take a moment to read this letter from the National Commission on Excellence in Education.