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CCOG for AVS 137 Spring 2024

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Course Number:
AVS 137
Course Title:
Applied Aerodynamics
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces aerodynamics. Explores various concepts and theories relevant to modern aviation. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This course will provide each student with the principles and information necessary to understand the forces that act upon both airborne and stationary objects. With the combined use of lectures, discussions, videos, handouts, written tests and the class text, class participants will gain first hand knowledge of:

  1. the positive and negative effects that various aerodynamic forces have upon both airborne and stationary objects,
  2. how those aerodynamic forces are "controlled",
  3. how those forces affect the "performance" of various airborne and ground based vehicles,
  4. the impact that weight distribution can have upon an airborne vehicle's aerodynamic controllability, and
  5. how atmospheric conditions also affect the aerodynamic properties of objects.

Class participants will be expected to spend time on their own, outside of regular scheduled class time, to accomplish mastery of course content and provide a limited research project to be discussed in class.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
a) Describe the various forces that act upon an object.
b) Discuss the potential aerodynamic forces that would effect any randomly selected object or vehicle.
c) Relate the importance of weight distribution for airborne and ground vehicles.
d) Explain how various atmospheric conditions affect an aircraft's aerodynamic properties.
e) Provide an overview of the various "aerodynamic control surfaces and devices" and their impact upon the controllability of an object.
f) Describe the principles of propulsion and the benefits of various types of propulsion devices.
g) Outline the differences and similarities in low speed versus transonic and supersonic airfoils.
h) List some non-aviation vehicles and mechanisms that utilize aero-dynamic principles in their operation and/or function.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will explain the methods used to evaluate and record student progress, and the criteria for assigning a course grade. Evaluation methods may include one or more of the following: tests, quizzes, homework assignments, attendance, class participation, class assignments," and class projects.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Course Philosophy
To provide a comfortable setting for the study and review of the subject with an occasional minor reference to mathematical theories and formulas. The material will be presented within an aviation context however the broader application of aerodynamics in the everyday world will be emphasized throughout the course.
Course Content
The competencies, themes and concepts listed below are designed to result in the outcomes stated above.

  1. Aerostatics
  2. Heavier-Than-Air-Flight
  3. Physics of Lift
  4. Newton's Laws
  5. Bernoulli's Equation
  6. Application of Aerodynamic Devices
  7. Atmosphere and Fluid Dynamics
  8. History of Airfoil Design
  9. Evolution of Airfoil Design
  10. Airfoil Pressure Distribution
  11. Lift Devices
  12. Thrust + Lift versus Drag + Weight
  13. Stability and Control
  14. Principles of Propulsion
  15. Performance (Aircraft and Powerplant)
  16. High Speed Flight
  17. Transonic Airfoils
  18. Aircraft Design and Testing
  19. Rotary Wing Aerodynamics
  20. Non-Aviation Aerodynamics
  21. Weight and Balance
  22. Atmospheric Disturbances of an Airfoil