Aerospace Engineering

ACTIVE STREAM

Build flight simulators, autopilots, and orbital mechanics solvers.

Projects

1

Project 1: Atmospheric Physics Engine

Create a library to calculate air properties at any altitude (ISA Model).

1.1 The Troposphere (0-11km)

1.1.1 Intro to ISA1.1.2 Temperature Lapse Rates1.1.3 Hydrostatic Equation1.1.4 Ideal Gas Law1.1.5 Coding the Troposphere

1.2 The Stratosphere (11-20km)

1.2.1 Isothermal Layers1.2.2 Gradient Discontinuities1.2.3 The Pressure Integral1.2.4 Speed of Sound1.2.5 Coding the Stratosphere

1.3 Upper Atmosphere (20km-86km)

1.3.1 Mesosphere Basics1.3.2 Geometric vs Geopotential1.3.3 Sutherland\1.3.4 Thermal Conductivity1.3.5 Full ISA Model

1.4 Non-Standard Atmospheres

1.4.1 Hot & Cold Days1.4.2 Density Altitude1.4.3 Humidity Effects1.4.4 Altimeter Settings1.4.5 AtmosphereContext

1.5 Optimization & API

1.5.1 Vectorizing with NumPy1.5.2 Unit Testing1.5.3 REST API1.5.4 Documentation1.5.5 Capstone: Mission Planner
2

Project 2: Aerodynamics Solver

Build a 2D panel-method solver to predict lift and pressure on airfoils.

2.1 Potential Flow Theory

2.1.1 Streamlines & Equipotential Lines2.1.2 Uniform Flow + Source2.1.3 Doublet & Vortex2.1.4 Superposition Principle2.1.5 Magnus Effect

2.2 Airfoil Geometry

2.2.1 NACA 4-Digit Airfoil Generator2.2.2 Discretizing (Panels)2.2.3 Coordinate Transforms2.2.4 Normal Vectors2.2.5 Visualizing Airfoils

2.3 Source Panel Method

2.3.1 Panel Method Concept2.3.2 Influence Coefficients2.3.3 Solving the Linear System2.3.4 Surface Velocity & Pressure2.3.5 Limitations of Source-Only Method

2.4 Vortex Panel Method

2.4.1 Vortex Panel Theory2.4.2 The Kutta Condition2.4.3 Vortex Panel Solver2.4.4 Computing Lift from Circulation2.4.5 Angle of Attack Sweep

2.5 Boundary Layer Corrections

2.5.1 Reynolds Number & Transition2.5.2 Skin Friction Drag2.5.3 Flow Separation Detection2.5.4 Stall Analysis2.5.5 Complete Aerodynamic Simulator
3

Project 3: Propulsion Systems

Turbojet thrust calculations and fuel flow dynamics.

3.1 Thermodynamic Cycles (Brayton)

3.1.1 Enthalpy & Entropy3.1.2 Intake & Compression3.1.3 Combustion (Isobaric Heating)3.1.4 Turbine & Nozzle3.1.5 The Ideal Brayton Cycle

3.2 Component Maps

3.2.1 Compressor Maps3.2.2 Turbine Efficiency3.2.3 Spool Dynamics3.2.4 Fuel Flow Logic3.2.5 Transient Engine Simulation

3.3 Inlets & Nozzles

3.3.1 Subsonic Inlets3.3.2 Supersonic Inlets3.3.3 Convergent-Divergent Nozzles3.3.4 Variable Geometry Nozzles3.3.5 Thrust Reversers

3.4 Afterburners

3.4.1 Reheat Cycle3.4.2 Rayleigh Flow3.4.3 Flame Holders & Stability3.4.4 Fuel Injection & Atomization3.4.5 Integrated Wet Thrust Model

3.5 Turbofan Engines

3.5.1 Bypass Ratio & Mixed Flow Analysis3.5.2 Fan Aerodynamics & Blade Loading3.5.3 Core-Bypass Stream Mixing & Losses3.5.4 Jet Noise Prediction & Suppression3.5.5 Capstone: Complete Engine Performance Deck
4

Project 4: 6-DOF Equations of Motion

Rigid body dynamics in 3D space.

4.1 Coordinate Systems

4.1.1 Frames of Reference4.1.2 Rotation Matrices4.1.3 Euler Angles4.1.4 Quaternions4.1.5 Transformations

4.2 Kinematics

4.2.1 Linear Velocity4.2.2 Angular Velocity4.2.3 Position Propagation4.2.4 Attitude Propagation4.2.5 Navigation Equations

4.3 Forces & Moments

4.3.1 Gravity Model4.3.2 Aerodynamic Forces4.3.3 Thrust Forces4.3.4 Moments (L, M, N)4.3.5 Total Force Vector

4.4 Rigid Body Dynamics

4.4.1 Inertia Tensor4.4.2 Newton-Euler Equations4.4.3 Gyroscopic Effects4.4.4 Coriolis Effect4.4.5 State Derivatives

4.5 Numerical Integration

4.5.1 Euler Method4.5.2 Runge-Kutta 44.5.3 Time Step Control4.5.4 Stability Analysis4.5.5 Capstone: Flight Loop
5

Project 5: Flight Instruments

Coding the logic for Altimeter, Airspeed Indicator, Gyros.

5.1 Air Data Computer

5.1.1 Pitot-Static System5.1.2 Indicated Airspeed (IAS)5.1.3 True Airspeed (TAS)5.1.4 Mach Number5.1.5 Air Data Computer Class

5.2 Altimetry

5.2.1 Barometric Altitude5.2.2 VSI & Lag5.2.3 Radar Altimeter5.2.4 Instrument Errors5.2.5 Altitude Encoding

5.3 Gyroscopic Instruments

5.3.1 Gyro Physics5.3.2 Attitude Indicator5.3.3 Heading Indicator5.3.4 Turn Coordinator5.3.5 Drift & Precession

5.4 Magnetic Compass

5.4.1 Earth Magnetic Field5.4.2 Variation5.4.3 Deviation5.4.4 Dip Errors5.4.5 Flux Gate Compass

5.5 EFIS Integration

5.5.1 PFD Layout5.5.2 ARINC 429 Bus5.5.3 Warning Systems5.5.4 Heads-Up Display5.5.5 Capstone: Full Panel
6

Project 6: Control Surfaces

PID controllers for Ailerons, Elevators, Rudder.

6.1 Actuator Dynamics

6.1.1 Servo Motors6.1.2 Hydraulic Systems6.1.3 Rate Limiting6.1.4 Hinge Moments6.1.5 Actuator Class

6.2 PID Control Theory

6.2.1 Feedback Loops6.2.2 Proportional Term6.2.3 Integral Term6.2.4 Derivative Term6.2.5 Tuning PID

6.3 Stability Augmentation (SAS)

6.3.1 Yaw Damper6.3.2 Pitch Stability6.3.3 Roll Stability6.3.4 Gain Scheduling6.3.5 Fly-By-Wire Basics

6.4 Trim Systems

6.4.1 Trim Tabs6.4.2 Stabilizer Trim6.4.3 Auto-Trim Logic6.4.4 Mach Trim6.4.5 Runaway Protection

6.5 Flight Control System

6.5.1 Control Mixing6.5.2 Envelope Protection6.5.3 G-Limiting6.5.4 Direct vs Normal Law6.5.5 Capstone: Full FCS
7

Project 7: Navigation Systems

Implementing Inertial Navigation (INS) and GPS triangulation.

7.1 Dead Reckoning

7.1.1 Vector Math7.1.2 Time-Distance-Heading7.1.3 Wind Correction7.1.4 Great Circle Route7.1.5 DR Computer

7.2 Radio Navigation

7.2.1 VOR Logic7.2.2 DME Logic7.2.3 NDB & ADF7.2.4 ILS Localizer7.2.5 ILS Glideslope

7.3 Inertial Navigation (INS)

7.3.1 Accelerometers7.3.2 Integration Errors7.3.3 Schuler Tuning7.3.4 Alignment7.3.5 Strapdown INS

7.4 GNSS / GPS

7.4.1 Trilateration7.4.2 Satellite Orbits7.4.3 DOP (Dilution of Precision)7.4.4 WAAS/SBAS7.4.5 GPS Receiver Sim

7.5 Flight Management System

7.5.1 Waypoint Database7.5.2 Flight Plan7.5.3 LNAV Logic7.5.4 VNAV Logic7.5.5 Capstone: FMS
8

Project 8: Autopilot Logic

Waypoint tracking and auto-landing algorithms.

8.1 Basic Modes

8.1.1 Wing Leveler8.1.2 Heading Hold8.1.3 Altitude Hold8.1.4 Vertical Speed Mode8.1.5 Mode Control Panel

8.2 Lateral Guidance

8.2.1 VOR Tracking8.2.2 Localizer Capture8.2.3 Bank Limiting8.2.4 Turn Anticipation8.2.5 LNAV Path Following

8.3 Vertical Guidance

8.3.1 Flight Level Change8.3.2 Glideslope Capture8.3.3 VNAV Path8.3.4 Flare Control Law8.3.5 Go-Around Mode

8.4 Autothrottle

8.4.1 Speed Mode8.4.2 N1 Limit Protection8.4.3 Mach Hold8.4.4 Retard Mode8.4.5 Throttle Servo Sim

8.5 Autoland System

8.5.1 CAT III Requirements8.5.2 Align Mode8.5.3 Rollout8.5.4 Autobrake8.5.5 Capstone: Full Autopilot
9

Project 9: Glass Cockpit UI

Rendering flight data (PFD/ND) in real-time.

9.1 Graphics Engine

9.1.1 HTML5 Canvas9.1.2 Vector Graphics9.1.3 Double Buffering9.1.4 Font Rendering9.1.5 WebGL Basics

9.2 Primary Flight Display (PFD)

9.2.1 Artificial Horizon9.2.2 Speed Tape9.2.3 Altitude Tape9.2.4 HSI Compass Rose9.2.5 Flight Mode Annunciator

9.3 Navigation Display (ND)

9.3.1 Map Mode9.3.2 Route Rendering9.3.3 Waypoint Icons9.3.4 Weather Radar9.3.5 TCAS Overlay

9.4 EICAS / ECAM

9.4.1 Engine Gauges9.4.2 Message List9.4.3 Synoptic Pages9.4.4 Electronic Checklist9.4.5 System Monitor

9.5 Interaction & Input

9.5.1 Soft Keys9.5.2 Cursor Control9.5.3 FMS Keyboard9.5.4 Touch Interface9.5.5 Capstone: Full Cockpit
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Project 10: Full System Integration

Connecting all modules into a flyable simulation.

10.1 Simulation Architecture

10.1.1 Main Loop Design10.1.2 Pub/Sub Pattern10.1.3 Shared Memory10.1.4 Threading Model10.1.5 Config Management

10.2 Data Recording

10.2.1 Flight Data Recorder10.2.2 Replay System10.2.3 Live Telemetry10.2.4 Post-Flight Analysis10.2.5 Black Box Logic

10.3 Environment Simulation

10.3.1 Terrain Database10.3.2 Weather Engine10.3.3 Navaid Database10.3.4 Traffic Generator10.3.5 ATC Interaction

10.4 Failure Management

10.4.1 Failure Injection10.4.2 CAS Logic10.4.3 Emergency Procedures10.4.4 Redundancy Mgmt10.4.5 System Resets

10.5 The Final Flight

10.5.1 Pre-flight Setup10.5.2 Takeoff Profile10.5.3 Cruise & Nav10.5.4 Approach & Land10.5.5 Shutdown

Total Projects

10

Estimated Time

40+ hrs

Difficulty Range

BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced

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