Thesis Aerospace Engineering is a discrete branch of engineering that has a huge affect on everyday life. Designing aircraft is a very complex and intricate art that involves a wealth of knowledge and skills.
What is Aerospace Engineering? A branch of engineering that involves the design, manufacturing, and science of aircraft and spacecraft.
Branches of Aerospace There are two main branches of Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineering involves craft that stay inside Earth’s atmosphere. Astronautical Engineering involves craft that operate in outer space.
Continued Aerospace Engineering encompasses the design, manufacturing, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and rockets. The focus of Aerospace Engineering revolves around the advancement of space exploration, aviation, and defense systems. Aerospace Engineers specialize in areas that include: structural design, navigation and control, guidance, and instrumentation.
History The first planning for “flying machines” began in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sire George Cayley is know as the first real pioneer of aeronautics engineering. The Wright brothers first flight on December 17, 1903 sparked interest in aerospace engineering on a whole different level.
History continued The official definition of aerospace engineering was not written until February of 1958. Also in 1958 the USA founded NASA because of the cold war. The majority of the advancements in aerospace engineering have come from wartime technology.
Careers within Aerospace Engineering A major in Aerospace Engineering can provide may different career opportunities including careers in: Software development Marketing and sales Management Research Design and development Field service Teaching
Career Outlook The number Aerospace Engineers is expected to increase by 2013. The cuts in military spending may cut back on aerospace engineers in the military, but the number of engineers in the private sector is expected to increase. The troubled economy is expected increase the number of aerospace engineers because airlines want new aircraft that are cheaper to run.
Salaries The average aerospace engineer makes around $61,180 to $94,340 annually. The lower end of the spectrum makes less than $49,920 annually. The upper end of the spectrum makes upwards of $120,760 annually.
Schooling The career choice for an Aerospace Engineer starts with schooling. There are many courses an engineer can take to determine what their career path will be including: Fluid mechanics Astrodynamics Mathematics Propulsion Aircraft Structures Avionics Materials Science, etc.
Schooling Continued Even though there are many courses within the Aerospace Engineering major, most of the courses are based around design.
Design Courses The design courses include: Thermodynamics Celestial mechanics Aerodynamics Propulsion Acoustics Guidance and Control systems
Design Principles Continued
Design Principles Continued
Computer Aided Design (CAD) With today’s technology engineers can use CAD to design all parts of an aircraft. CAD allows engineers to make 2D and 3D designs of aircraft. Engineers can make scale drawings with design programs that manufacturers then use to build the aircraft.
Popular CAD Programs AutoCAD TurboCAD AutoDesk Inventor Pro/Engineer MicroStation (used in our school)
Production of Aircraft First Aerospace Engineers design the airframe, avionics (controls), the power plant, and the interior. Next, the designs are given to other engineers that then use the designs to actually build the aircraft. Then, test pilots or licensed engineers than test the aircraft. Finally, if the airplane is successful the manufacturer can then sell the aircraft
Application To apply what I learned in my research to everyday life, I built a model airplane and rocket. I also transferred the aircraft design to a CAD drawing.
The rocket I built is a standard rocket
that can be bought at a hobby store.
The complete assembly took around two hours and is fairly simple.
There are several types of engines that can be used to launch the rocket.
Engines are sized by letters, A being the weakest and the higher the letter in the alphabet, the stronger the engine.
The engines also have a small charge that blows the parachute out of the top of the rocket when it reaches its maximum height.
The model airplane I built was
of a WWII aircraft called the Birddog.
The model took around 16 hours
to built because it is very complex.
The airplane model is powered by
a rubber band that is twisted to create energy.
The whole airplane is made of
balsa wood and the wings are covered in tissue paper.