Flight mechanics - The basis

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/basis-flight-mechanics

Introduction

### Course Review: Flight Mechanics - The Basis In the world of aviation, understanding the fundamental principles that govern flight is essential, whether you're an aspiring pilot, an aerospace engineer, or simply an aviation enthusiast. The Coursera course titled **"Flight Mechanics - The Basis"** provides a thorough introduction to the essential concepts of flight mechanics, bringing together theoretical knowledge and practical application. #### **Overview** "Flight Mechanics - The Basis" takes you on a journey that transcends more than a century of aeronautical advancement since the Wright brothers' pioneering flight. This course delves into the dynamics of flight, teaching participants how to identify the various parts of an airplane and describe its geometry with precision. By linking aviation to fundamental mechanics, the course essentially empowers learners to understand how airplanes operate against the forces that seem to defy our intuition. #### **Course Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Anatomy of the Plane** - The course kicks off with an introduction to the airplane, where students learn to name its various parts and quantify geometry. This segment includes hands-on exercises that challenge commonly held notions—such as measuring wing surface area—highlighting the intricacies of aircraft design. 2. **Vocabulary and Tools** - Building a strong vocabulary is paramount in understanding flight. This week revisits basic mechanics, particularly Newton’s second law, and how it plays a critical role in flight. Students will learn to determine the forces affecting an airplane while delving into kinetic and potential energies. A unique feature of this week is a virtual tour of a full flight simulator, Pegasus (or Pegase in French), which demonstrates the application of these principles in real-time flight scenarios. 3. **Basis of Flight Mechanics** - The course deepens understanding by exploring the small number of forces acting on an airplane in flight. It categorizes these forces based on their ability to change energy states or modify the trajectory. A standout learning moment includes a deep dive into the concept of load factor using the example of a combat pilot experiencing heightened weight. This section culminates in establishing the lift and propulsion equations, critical for determining the necessary forces for various flight paths and speeds. 4. **Graded Assessment** - The course wraps up with an engaging final assessment where participants apply their newfound knowledge to solve a practical flight dynamic problem: simulating how to fly a loop in a glider. This assessment not only tests theoretical understanding but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to real-world scenarios. #### **Recommendations** "Flight Mechanics - The Basis" is an excellent choice for anyone with a strong interest in aviation—students, professionals wishing to refresh their knowledge, or hobbyists eager to learn the science behind flight. Here are a few reasons why I highly recommend this course: - **Well-Structured Content**: The organization of the syllabus offers a logical progression from foundational knowledge to application, making it accessible for learners at different levels. - **Engaging Learning Environment**: The combination of theoretical materials, interactive exercises, and simulations keeps the content engaging and helps reinforce concepts. - **Applicability**: The course not only conveys theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes practical application, which is crucial in maintaining learner interest and relevance in the field. - **Expert Instruction**: The course is taught by knowledgeable professionals whose expertise in aerodynamics and flight mechanics ensures that learners receive high-quality education and insights. #### **Conclusion** If you're looking to deepen your understanding of flight mechanics, “Flight Mechanics - The Basis” on Coursera is a pathway to mastering the vital concepts that shape the aviation industry today. With its combination of theoretical underpinnings and practical insights, this course stands out as a compelling resource for all aviation enthusiasts. Enroll today and take your first step towards demystifying the mesmerizing world of flight!

Syllabus

Anatomy of the plane

Along this first week, we want you to get acquainted to the airplane. We will first learn how to name the different parts of the airplane and how to describe and quantify its geometry. And we will see through an exercise that concepts that seem well defined, like the surface of the wing (wing surface), can be, in practice, difficult to measure. This part will allow us to share a common and precise vocabulary.

We need now to share a precise vocabulary to describe the airplane's movement and attitude in space, and a refresher on basic general mechanics principles. You will review how Newton's second law allows you to determine what force must be applied on an apple - or on an airplane, to modify the magnitude and direction of its speed. Coming back on the concepts of kinetic energy and potential energy, you will discover the very useful concept of total height and you will be able to explain how an airplane can quickly exchange speed for altitude, while changes in total height are much slower. To conclude this week, we invite you on a tour of our full flight simulator Pegasus (Pegase in French), to see how clever use of those concepts in a Head-Up Display might allow you to conduct a perfect approach and landing without a single glance at your speed or altitude indicators.

It's time to apply your knowledge to the airplane! You will discover that only a very small number of forces apply on an airplane in flight and that you are able to classify those that change its energy state and those that modify its trajectory. You will discover the concept of load factor and understand why the pilot of a combat aircraft can feel a weight nine-time greater than his actual weight! You will come on board our DR400 light airplane (not a combat airplane indeed) with Newton's apple to better understand what this load factor actually means. Finally, you will establish the lift and propulsion equations, that form the basis of flight mechanics, and you will be able to compute the lift and thrust necessary to follow a given trajectory at a given speed. No apples were harmed in the making of this course.

In this final graded assessment, you will check your knowledge and apply it to solve an actual flight dynamic problem : how to fly a loop in a glider.