ENG AM201: Introduction to Aircraft Performance
General Information
Sheryl Grace
Rm. 407,
sgrace@bu.edu
(617)
Office hours: M 11-12, T 10-12
Course time and location: TH 4-5, GCB 207
Textbook:
Textbook: J. D. Anderson, Aircraft
Performance and Design, McGraw-Hill, 1999
Reference:
D. Randall, Jane's Aircraft
Recognition Guide, HarperCollins Publishers, 1996.
J. D. Anderson, Introduction to Flight, 3rd
Ed. McGraw-Hill, 1989.
Grading:
Approximate Grading Scale (The following scale is subject to change.)
|
Aircraft Portfolio |
20% |
|
Aircraft Project |
20% |
|
Homework(+possible quizzes) |
5% |
|
Other assignments |
15% |
|
Midterm |
20 |
|
Final Examination |
20% |
Remember: THE PROFESSOR DOES NOT GIVE GRADES, THE STUDENTS EARN A GRADE
Exams will be closed book and held in class. The final exam will be comprehensive. You can bring on 8.5" X 11" sheet written on one side with helpful formulae etc. to the first exam and two such sheets to the final exam.
Homework, which will be assigned in class and noted on the course web
page is due at the beginning of the designated class
period (unless otherwise noted.) All homework will be graded and returned. The
top of the first page of the homework should have: your name and the course
number. Every page should have the problem number on the top right corner.
There should be no frayed edges and multiple pages must be stapled. You should
briefly restate the problem ( some even make a photo
copy and tape the problem statement to the page ). Give a sketch if helpful.
List the basic assumptions. Give all necessary analysis. If asked to plot
something, you must create a computer-generated graph with appropriate axis
labels and legend. Place a box around the final answer. Correct units should
accompany all numerical answers. Any answer that is not of the correct order
of magnitude, with no accompanying explanation, will be given no points, even
if the method used to do the problem is correct. Homework solutions will be
on reserve in the
Honest policy: Adherence to the Student Academic Code of Conduct is expected. I encourage you to freely discuss the homework amongst one another as you formulate your solutions individually. Your written work should represent your understanding of the problem. The "Aircraft Portfolio" calculations and "Other Assignments" must be done individually unless otherwise noted.
In practice this means that copying (in whole or in part) another student's homework, exam, computer program, or paper is not permitted. If you choose to discuss your work with a colleague, it should be a discussion in which one teaches another or both work to a mutual understanding. As a counter-example, it is not acceptable to give a friend your homework five minutes before class so that your friend can copy your work. I also consider it unacceptable to copy work from a student who was in the class a previous year. In your written reports, be careful to correctly use quotation marks for words that did not originate with you. Also, be sure to properly cite all sources you used. As is done in the scientific literature, you should briefly acknowledge in writing any significant discussion or interactions you had regarding the work you submit. As a general principle, I do not accept the justification that you were not sure of my intentions. If you feel you may be in an ethical gray area, then you should consult with me before acting.
Course Objectives with Assessment/Measurement Method:
Primary:
* Students will be able to analyze the
basic performance parameters for a subsonic aircraft.
Homework assignments, Exam, Aircraft portfolio
Secondary:
* Students will be able to present complete
solutions to technical problems following an acceptable engineering format.
Homeworks, project reports.
* Students will learn to see equations as
representations of physical phenomenon and learn how previous mathematics
courses are useful when studying an engineering topic.
Quizzes, in class active learning projects
* Students will begin to employ computer tools
for obtaining and presenting solutions.
Homeworks requiring the use of Excel or MATLAB to produce graphs,
"Aircraft portfolio", Web research for projects and homework
Computer Usage:
- Some homework will require the use of an algebraic manipulation package
- Some homework will require the use of a plotting package
- Predictions of performance parameter using a computer will be required
Projects:
- "Airfoil portfolio" You will have the option of one of four different aircrafts specified by the instructor. The portfolio will be created as an ongoing project during the term. As new performance metrics are introduced, you will calculate the capabilities of the aircraft you have chosen.
- "Other assignments" You will be tasked with answering questions related to public policy and aerospace engineering.
- "Aircraft project" You will design and build a new wing for an existing model airframe, predict the composite aircraft's performance, measure its performance, and discuss your results. This may be completed in teams. More information concerning this project will become available as the semester progresses.
Drop date:
Tuesday
Withdrawal:
Tuesday