Beginning Aircraft Structures for Pilots from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of this course you will be able to describe in detail the construction and components of a typical modern transport aircraft and the forces affecting it both in the air and on the ground.
The effects of aircraft loads on a modern transport aircraft.

The components and construction of the aircraft fuselage including pressurisation.
The components and construction of the aircraft wing structure.

By the end of this course you will be able to describe in detail the construction and components of a typical modern transport aircraft and the forces affecting it both in the air and on the ground.
The effects of aircraft loads on a modern transport aircraft.
The components and construction of the aircraft fuselage including pressurisation.
The components and construction of the aircraft wing structure.

Syllabus

Beginning Aircraft Structures for Pilots

INTRODUCTION TO AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

An introduction to "Beginning Aircraft Structures for Pilots' This short introductory video introduces your instructor William BG Harvey, who is a qualified Commercial Pilot and Airline Instructor with many years experience. Please check out his biography. William have taught airline pilots how to operate MD-90 and B747-400 aircraft, including all the relevant ground subjects, to Captains and First Officers of a major international airline at one of the top airline flight academies. William received his instructor training at Boeing Fight Safety in Long Beach, California on the MD-90 and at the Prince Sultan Aviation Academy on the B747-400 for Saudi Arabian Airlines.

This introductory video outlines the subjects you will study including the following:

Aircraft Loads – In this topic you will learn the following Topics:

Typical Loads on an Aircraft 
Elastic Properties 
Structural Safe-Life 
Fail-Safe Structures 
Damage Tolerant Structures.

Aircraft Fuselage – In this topic you will gain an understanding of the construction of a typical aircraft fuselage including:

Monocoque Structures 
Semi-Monocoque Structures
Effects of Pressurisation
Flight-Deck Windows
Passenger Cabin Windows

   Aircraft Wings – In this topic you will learn about the construction and components of a typical aircraft wing including:

Aircraft Wing Spars
Aircraft Wing Ribs
Aircraft Wing Stringers
Aircraft Wing Torsion Box.

A WELCOME MESSAGE

A welcome message from your instructor William BG Harvey.

AIRCRAFT LOADS

Welcome to this first lecture on ‘Aircraft Loads’, which is part of our ‘Aircraft Structures’ course. In this lesson you will learn the following subjects

Typical Loads on an Aircraft 
Elastic Properties 
Structural Safe-Life 
Fail-Safe Structures 
Damage Tolerant Structures.

Please answer the Summary Questions to follow as they will help aid your understanding of the material.

Also check out the additional videos on Aircraft Loads and Longitudinal Hoop Stresses on the Supplementary material section.

This lecture illustrates the six forced acting on the aircraft

THIS QUIZ WILL TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THE COURSE 'AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES'

THE FUSELAGE (Part One)

After the study of loads on an aircraft both on the ground and in the air we now can move to the subject of the Fuselage.

The preferred methodology for constructing a modern jet transport aircraft’s fuselage is the Semi-Monocoque design, usually covered with an all aluminum skin. The skin normally carries all the loads from the internal pressurization of the fuselage. In this lesson we will learn the concepts of Monocoque and Semi-Monocoque structures and their differences. Both monocoque and semi-monocoque structures are referred to as "stressed skin"

We will also be introduced to the construction of a typical fuselage, which is built with a series of Frames, providing the structures overall shape. In order to provide rigidity, the Frames are held together with lightweight longitudinal elements called Stringers normally attached using rivets or bonding.

By the end of this video you will have been introduced to the following topics:

Monocoque Structures 
Semi-Monocoque Structures

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON THE COURSE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

THE FUSELAGE (Part Two)

In the second part of the Fuselage topic we take a look at pressurization and the requirements for oxygen above a certain altitude. In addition, we will look in detail at the construction of the aircraft flight-deck windows and their regulatory criteria. We also will look at the Passenger Cabin Windows and how they are constructed to allow for the effects of pressurization and how the fuselage can accommodate a loss of pressurization in one of the compartments by the use of blow-out-bungs.

By the end of this lesson you will have acquired a knowledge of the following subjects:

Effects of Pressurisation
Flight-Deck Windows
Passenger Cabin Windows

Please answer the Summary Questions to follow as they will help aid your understanding of the material.

A lecture on Hoop Stresses and Axial Stresses

Summary Questions: Pressurisation, Flight Deck and Cabin Windows

AIRCRAFT WING STRUCTURE

This is the final video in the course, which explains the construction and components of a typical transport aircraft's wing. It is specifically concerned with the cantilever wing design of a modern gas turbine transport aircraft.

By the end of the video you will have been introduced to the following topics:

Aircraft Wing Spars
Aircraft Wing Ribs
Aircraft Wing Stringers
Aircraft Wing Torsion Box.

Please answer the Summary Questions to follow as they will help aid your understanding of the material.

Summary Question: Aircraft wing construction

The final course summary from the instructor.

Some additional material for your studies

Please complete the final course Quiz which is designed to test your understanding of ALL the material contained in the course. Keep going over the videos until you get 100% correct.

A final farewell from William and Digital Aviation Training Ltd

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the requirements of modern transport aircraft fuselage design

Provides a comprehensive view of aircraft wing construction

Emphasizes the stresses on aircraft in both air and ground environments

Suitable for individuals in flight training to develop a deeper understanding of aircraft structures

Can be beneficial for those interested in a career in aircraft engineering

Taught by a qualified Commercial Pilot and Airline Instructor with extensive real-world experience

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beginning Aircraft Structures for Pilots with these activities:

Discuss Aircraft Structural Loads

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Engage with peers to discuss and reinforce concepts related to aircraft structural loads.

Browse courses on Aircraft Structures

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Identify the different types of aircraft structural loads.
Analyze the effects of structural loads on aircraft components.
Discuss methods to mitigate structural loads on aircraft.

Review Aircraft Structural Design

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Practice and review important aircraft structural design concepts by completing a series of drills.

Browse courses on Structural Design

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Identify the different types of aircraft structural components.
Analyze the forces acting on an aircraft structure.
Calculate the stresses and strains in aircraft structural components.

Explore Aircraft Fuselage Construction

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Gain a deeper understanding of aircraft fuselage construction through guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Aircraft Structures

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Review the different types of fuselage construction methods.
Analyze the design and construction of aircraft fuselage components.
Evaluate the structural integrity of aircraft fuselages.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Design and Analyze an Aircraft Wing

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Apply your knowledge by designing and analyzing an aircraft wing.

Browse courses on Aircraft Structures

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Determine the aerodynamic requirements of the aircraft.
Select and design the appropriate wing structure.
Analyze the structural performance of the wing.
Optimize the wing design for performance and efficiency.

Participate in an Aircraft Design Competition

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Challenge yourself and apply your knowledge in an aircraft design competition.

Browse courses on Aircraft Structures

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Identify a suitable aircraft design competition.
Develop and submit your aircraft design.
Evaluate the performance and efficiency of your design.

Assist in Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection

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Gain practical experience by assisting in aircraft maintenance and inspection activities.

Browse courses on Aircraft Maintenance

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Identify opportunities to volunteer with aircraft maintenance or inspection organizations.
Assist with aircraft maintenance or inspection tasks under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Apply knowledge of aircraft structures and materials to real-world scenarios.

Contribute to an Open-Source Aircraft Structural Analysis Project

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Enhance your understanding and contribute to the aircraft structural analysis community through open-source projects.

Browse courses on Structural Analysis

Show steps

Identify open-source aircraft structural analysis projects.
Review the project documentation and code.
Contribute to the project by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or adding new features.

Mentor Junior Engineers in Aircraft Structures

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Share your knowledge and support junior engineers as they learn about aircraft structures.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior engineers.
Provide guidance and support on aircraft structural design, analysis, and testing.
Review and critique the work of junior engineers.

Career center

Learners who complete Beginning Aircraft Structures for Pilots will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Aircraft Structural Mechanic

Aircraft Structural Mechanics maintain and repair aircraft fuselages, wings, and other structural elements. By studying this course, you will learn about the forces that impact aircraft in the air and on the ground, and understand various fuselage, wing, and body structures. You also will become familiar with the mechanics of pressurisation and its effects on the fuselage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aircraft Structural Mechanic

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design and develop aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft, and would benefit greatly from studying this course. This course provides hands-on knowledge and understanding of aircraft loads, fuselage and wing structures, and the mechanics of pressurisation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers maintain, service, overhaul, and repair aircraft, and this course on aircraft structures would be incredibly useful for informing their work. A deeper understanding of aircraft loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures will provide you with the knowledge necessary to perform a wide array of tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and test mechanical systems, such as those in aircraft, and can benefit from this course. Here you will learn about loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which are all essential for understanding the mechanical systems used in aircraft.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Design Engineer

Design Engineers design and develop products, including aircraft. This course on aircraft structures will provide you with a foundation in the loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which you can apply to the design and development of aircraft.

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Project Engineer

Project Engineers manage engineering projects, and can benefit from this course on aircraft structures. You will gain knowledge of the loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which will help you to manage projects related to aircraft.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineers ensure that products meet specified quality standards, and this course on aircraft structures can help. You will gain knowledge of the loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which will enable you to develop and implement quality standards for aircraft.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Aircraft Inspector

Aircraft Inspectors examine aircraft structures, systems, and components to ensure they meet safety standards. This course will give you the foundational knowledge required to understand the structures and systems of an aircraft, preparing you for a variety of inspection tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aircraft Inspector

Reliability Engineer

Reliability Engineers ensure that products meet specified reliability standards, and this course on aircraft structures can be useful. You will gain knowledge of the loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which will help you to develop and implement reliability standards for aircraft.

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Avionics Technician

Avionics Technicians install, test, maintain, and repair aircraft electronic and computer systems, and an understanding of aircraft structures can broaden your capabilities in this field. This course will teach you the principles of aircraft structures, such as the effects of loads, fuselage construction, and wing structures, which are all essential to understanding where and how avionics systems are integrated.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers develop and improve production processes, and an understanding of aircraft structures can be useful. This course covers the different types of loads that can affect an aircraft, the construction of the fuselage and wings, and the effects of pressurisation, all of which are important to know for the development and improvement of aircraft manufacturing.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers develop and test materials used in a variety of products, including aircraft. By taking this course, you will become familiar with the different types of loads that can affect an aircraft, the construction of the fuselage and wings, and the effects of pressurisation, all of which will inform you on characteristics of the materials used.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Quality Assurance Inspector

Quality Assurance Inspectors ensure that aircraft components meet specified quality standards, and a better understanding of aircraft structures can vastly improve one's ability to perform this role. By taking this course, you will learn about the different types of loads that can affect an aircraft, the construction of the fuselage and wings, and the effects of pressurisation, which will assist you in your assessments.

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Safety Manager

Safety Managers develop and implement safety programs and procedures to ensure the safety of workers, the public, and the environment. This course has information on aircraft loads, fuselage structures, and wing structures that will broaden and deepen the knowledge of safety managers in the aerospace industry.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers analyze complex information to simplify it, which makes this course on aircraft structures a particularly useful tool. The course provides you with the vocabulary and concepts necessary to take technical information about the construction and components of a typical aircraft, and simplify them for manuals, marketing copy, and training materials. This course also covers the effects of the aircraft's air and ground loads, which is pertinent for technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer