Courses
This two‑semester scientific seminar focuses on subsonic aircraft design and aerodynamics, combining theoretical study with Python programming and discussions of recent research
This is an introductory course on the aerodynamic design of general aviation aircraft.
I designed this course to help students learn to apply aircraft general design principles.
Scientific seminar on aircraft engineering
This two‑semester scientific seminar focuses on subsonic aircraft design and aerodynamics, combining theoretical study with Python programming and discussions of recent research. Its main goals are to broaden students’ expertise, encourage self‑education, and develop creative problem‑solving skills. The seminar emphasises reasoning over mere answers. Each session has four phases: a challenge to spark curiosity, topic study, hands‑on application through discussion and tasks, and reflection on the quality, applicability, and integration of new knowledge. Topics can be adjusted to students’ interests, aiming to foster personal responsibility for learning and professional growth.
Autumn Semester – Aircraft General Design
The first topic covers the history and technical evolution of aircraft, discussing how their multifunctional design developed over time. Next, conceptual design is examined, including design stages, objective functions, parametric studies, and optimization. Tools for analyzing design solutions follow, focusing on analytical and numerical methods like thin airfoil theory, lifting‑line theory, and vortex lattice methods, including their assumptions and reliability. A separate session addresses the design of multirotor aircraft, covering performance calculations and component selection for motors, propellers, and batteries.
Autumn Semester – Aerodynamic Design
This section begins with the design of small UAVs, emphasizing low‑Reynolds‑number aerodynamics and atmospheric turbulence effects. Aerodynamic coefficients and similarity parameters are explained, showing how they vary with body shape and flow conditions. Airfoil geometry and characteristics are then linked, along with criteria for selecting airfoils from catalogs. A dedicated session covers low‑Reynolds‑number airfoils, their special features, and recent optimization efforts. The XFOIL program is introduced for numerical airfoil analysis, comparing its results with experiments and CFD. Another session demonstrates geometry optimization of airfoils using custom codes, useful for thesis work. Propeller geometry and performance are discussed, followed by numerical propeller optimization with objective functions. The interaction between propeller and airframe, including distributed propulsion, is examined, as well as ducted propellers (propellers in rings), their applications and design for improved efficiency. Aircraft stability is covered, including aerodynamic and layout methods for ensuring stability, with a separate session on lateral stability and case studies. Finally, high‑lift devices for takeoff and landing, and boundary layer control methods (passive, active, hybrid) such as turbulators, riblets, co‑flow jets, and LEBU devices are discussed.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Design
The spring semester starts with drag classification by physical nature, Reynolds number effects, critical Reynolds number, and hysteresis. Passive drag reduction methods are evaluated for their advantages, drawbacks, and applicability. Active drag reduction methods follow, reviewing promising research. Wingtips and induced drag are covered, explaining when and why different wingtip devices work and how to estimate their effectiveness. Unconventional aerodynamic configurations are then examined for pros, cons, and potential applications.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Design
The spring semester starts with drag classification by physical nature, Reynolds number effects, critical Reynolds number, and hysteresis. Passive drag reduction methods are evaluated for their advantages, drawbacks, and applicability. Active drag reduction methods follow, reviewing promising research. Wingtips and induced drag are covered, explaining when and why different wingtip devices work and how to estimate their effectiveness. Unconventional aerodynamic configurations are then examined for pros, cons, and potential applications.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Experiment and Flight Testing
This section begins with wind tunnel types, measurement instruments, flow quality control, and diagnostics. Flow visualization techniques and the information they provide are illustrated through publications. A MATLAB‑based project designs a closed‑loop subsonic wind tunnel with a closed test section. Scaling aircraft models for flight tests is discussed, covering scaling types, similarity parameters, and common scaling issues with solutions. Flight test planning, execution, and data reduction are also covered.
Spring Semester – Case Studies in General Design of Light Aircraft
Several student projects are presented. An electric racing aircraft powered by fuel cells shows how the design was shaped. A flying car (aeromobile) explores compromises in hybrid vehicle design. A light amphibious aircraft highlights special considerations for seaplanes. VTOL aircraft design is analyzed to see how vertical takeoff and landing requirements affect configuration and calculations. Solar‑powered aircraft design considers solar panel impact on aerodynamics, energy balance, and flight performance. A forward‑looking session asks what methods and approaches could enable aircraft flight on other planets and which planets are plausible candidates.
Spring Semester – Academic Writing and Peer Review in Engineering
The final two sessions cover academic writing in engineering, including structure, content, style, the role of the reader, and examples from the instructor’s reviewing experience. The last session focuses on constructive peer review, journal expectations, and practicing how to give useful feedback to colleagues.
Autumn Semester – Aircraft General Design
The first topic covers the history and technical evolution of aircraft, discussing how their multifunctional design developed over time. Next, conceptual design is examined, including design stages, objective functions, parametric studies, and optimization. Tools for analyzing design solutions follow, focusing on analytical and numerical methods like thin airfoil theory, lifting‑line theory, and vortex lattice methods, including their assumptions and reliability. A separate session addresses the design of multirotor aircraft, covering performance calculations and component selection for motors, propellers, and batteries.
Autumn Semester – Aerodynamic Design
This section begins with the design of small UAVs, emphasizing low‑Reynolds‑number aerodynamics and atmospheric turbulence effects. Aerodynamic coefficients and similarity parameters are explained, showing how they vary with body shape and flow conditions. Airfoil geometry and characteristics are then linked, along with criteria for selecting airfoils from catalogs. A dedicated session covers low‑Reynolds‑number airfoils, their special features, and recent optimization efforts. The XFOIL program is introduced for numerical airfoil analysis, comparing its results with experiments and CFD. Another session demonstrates geometry optimization of airfoils using custom codes, useful for thesis work. Propeller geometry and performance are discussed, followed by numerical propeller optimization with objective functions. The interaction between propeller and airframe, including distributed propulsion, is examined, as well as ducted propellers (propellers in rings), their applications and design for improved efficiency. Aircraft stability is covered, including aerodynamic and layout methods for ensuring stability, with a separate session on lateral stability and case studies. Finally, high‑lift devices for takeoff and landing, and boundary layer control methods (passive, active, hybrid) such as turbulators, riblets, co‑flow jets, and LEBU devices are discussed.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Design
The spring semester starts with drag classification by physical nature, Reynolds number effects, critical Reynolds number, and hysteresis. Passive drag reduction methods are evaluated for their advantages, drawbacks, and applicability. Active drag reduction methods follow, reviewing promising research. Wingtips and induced drag are covered, explaining when and why different wingtip devices work and how to estimate their effectiveness. Unconventional aerodynamic configurations are then examined for pros, cons, and potential applications.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Design
The spring semester starts with drag classification by physical nature, Reynolds number effects, critical Reynolds number, and hysteresis. Passive drag reduction methods are evaluated for their advantages, drawbacks, and applicability. Active drag reduction methods follow, reviewing promising research. Wingtips and induced drag are covered, explaining when and why different wingtip devices work and how to estimate their effectiveness. Unconventional aerodynamic configurations are then examined for pros, cons, and potential applications.
Spring Semester – Aerodynamic Experiment and Flight Testing
This section begins with wind tunnel types, measurement instruments, flow quality control, and diagnostics. Flow visualization techniques and the information they provide are illustrated through publications. A MATLAB‑based project designs a closed‑loop subsonic wind tunnel with a closed test section. Scaling aircraft models for flight tests is discussed, covering scaling types, similarity parameters, and common scaling issues with solutions. Flight test planning, execution, and data reduction are also covered.
Spring Semester – Case Studies in General Design of Light Aircraft
Several student projects are presented. An electric racing aircraft powered by fuel cells shows how the design was shaped. A flying car (aeromobile) explores compromises in hybrid vehicle design. A light amphibious aircraft highlights special considerations for seaplanes. VTOL aircraft design is analyzed to see how vertical takeoff and landing requirements affect configuration and calculations. Solar‑powered aircraft design considers solar panel impact on aerodynamics, energy balance, and flight performance. A forward‑looking session asks what methods and approaches could enable aircraft flight on other planets and which planets are plausible candidates.
Spring Semester – Academic Writing and Peer Review in Engineering
The final two sessions cover academic writing in engineering, including structure, content, style, the role of the reader, and examples from the instructor’s reviewing experience. The last session focuses on constructive peer review, journal expectations, and practicing how to give useful feedback to colleagues.
Subsonic aircraft aerodynamics
This is an introductory course on the aerodynamic design of general aviation aircraft. Developed specifically for students of the Aircraft Design Department at the Moscow Aviation Institute, this course bridges foundational theory with practical application to equip you with the skills needed for initial aircraft design.
The course is divided into two complementary parts. The theoretical part covers the essential topics of subsonic aerodynamics required for effective design work, including fundamental equations, flow models, and key aerodynamic concepts such as thin airfoil theory, lifting-line theory, boundary layers, and inviscid, incompressible flow. A central focus is the development of low-fidelity numerical methods used for aerodynamic analysis during an aircraft's preliminary design stages. This portion draws on classic aerodynamic texts.
In the applied portion of the course, we translate theory into practice. This part explores general trends and principles for designing aircraft components—such as airfoils, finite wings, high-lift devices, tails, and propellers—and the aircraft as a whole, with the goal of optimizing aerodynamic performance. Topics include the magnitudes and variations of aerodynamic coefficients, wing and airfoil geometry effects, stall characteristics, drag reduction techniques, wind tunnel testing, and propeller-airframe interaction. You will learn how to use the tools of aerodynamics to design more efficient and effective aircraft.
A distinctive feature of the course is the use of interactive computing. The textual explanations throughout are supported by practical examples and numerical implementations created in Python within Jupyter Notebooks. These notebooks allow you to experiment with algorithms, visualize results, and deepen your understanding by seeing the theory in action. To support your study, the course includes consolidated formula sheets and a glossary of designations, providing equivalents used in both English and Russian technical literature.
Course Objective
The primary objective of this course is to teach you how to apply theoretical aerodynamics to the design process and to improve an aircraft's performance through informed geometric changes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, you will be able to:
Apply basic methods and theories of subsonic aerodynamics to solve practical problems.
Understand the theoretical basis and limitations of low-fidelity predictive methods used in early-stage aircraft design.
Evaluate criteria and methods for selecting and designing airfoils and propellers for general aviation aircraft.
Apply principles for optimizing the shape, size, and relative position of aircraft components using aerodynamic models.
Implement basic aerodynamic calculations and visualizations using Python.
Enhance your technical English capabilities in the field of aeronautical engineering.
Brief summary of the course program
A) Introduction to Subsonic Aerodynamics (Theory)
1) Fundamental principles: aerodynamic variables, forces, moments, flow types
2) Fluid models: continuity, momentum, energy equations, substantial derivative, vorticity, circulation, stream function, velocity potential
3) Inviscid, incompressible flow: Bernoulli’s equation, Laplace’s equation, elementary flows, Kutta-Joukowski theorem
4) Airfoils: nomenclature and thin airfoil theory
5) Finite wings: downwash, induced drag, Biot-Savart law, lifting line theory, vortex lattice method
Viscous flow: Navier-Stokes equations and boundary layers
B) Aircraft Aerodynamic Design (Application)
1) Aerodynamic coefficients: magnitudes, variations, lift-to-drag ratio
2) Airfoils: geometry, pressure distribution, effects of camber, thickness, Reynolds number, stall, roughness, design goals
3) Finite wing: sizing, MAC, aspect ratio, taper, sweep, dihedral, twist, ground effect, numerical analysis
4) High-lift devices: leading‑edge (slat, Krüger) and trailing‑edge (plain, split, Fowler, Gurney) flaps
5) Tail: sizing, downwash, configurations, design guidelines
6) Drag reduction: prediction, breakdown, skin friction, laminar flow control, induced drag reduction
7) Wind tunnels: similarity criteria, types, instrumentation, flow visualization, errors
8) Propeller-airframe interaction: geometry, efficiency, types, diameter, blade count, ducted fans, P‑effects, propeller‑wing interaction, distributed propulsion
The course is divided into two complementary parts. The theoretical part covers the essential topics of subsonic aerodynamics required for effective design work, including fundamental equations, flow models, and key aerodynamic concepts such as thin airfoil theory, lifting-line theory, boundary layers, and inviscid, incompressible flow. A central focus is the development of low-fidelity numerical methods used for aerodynamic analysis during an aircraft's preliminary design stages. This portion draws on classic aerodynamic texts.
In the applied portion of the course, we translate theory into practice. This part explores general trends and principles for designing aircraft components—such as airfoils, finite wings, high-lift devices, tails, and propellers—and the aircraft as a whole, with the goal of optimizing aerodynamic performance. Topics include the magnitudes and variations of aerodynamic coefficients, wing and airfoil geometry effects, stall characteristics, drag reduction techniques, wind tunnel testing, and propeller-airframe interaction. You will learn how to use the tools of aerodynamics to design more efficient and effective aircraft.
A distinctive feature of the course is the use of interactive computing. The textual explanations throughout are supported by practical examples and numerical implementations created in Python within Jupyter Notebooks. These notebooks allow you to experiment with algorithms, visualize results, and deepen your understanding by seeing the theory in action. To support your study, the course includes consolidated formula sheets and a glossary of designations, providing equivalents used in both English and Russian technical literature.
Course Objective
The primary objective of this course is to teach you how to apply theoretical aerodynamics to the design process and to improve an aircraft's performance through informed geometric changes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, you will be able to:
Apply basic methods and theories of subsonic aerodynamics to solve practical problems.
Understand the theoretical basis and limitations of low-fidelity predictive methods used in early-stage aircraft design.
Evaluate criteria and methods for selecting and designing airfoils and propellers for general aviation aircraft.
Apply principles for optimizing the shape, size, and relative position of aircraft components using aerodynamic models.
Implement basic aerodynamic calculations and visualizations using Python.
Enhance your technical English capabilities in the field of aeronautical engineering.
Brief summary of the course program
A) Introduction to Subsonic Aerodynamics (Theory)
1) Fundamental principles: aerodynamic variables, forces, moments, flow types
2) Fluid models: continuity, momentum, energy equations, substantial derivative, vorticity, circulation, stream function, velocity potential
3) Inviscid, incompressible flow: Bernoulli’s equation, Laplace’s equation, elementary flows, Kutta-Joukowski theorem
4) Airfoils: nomenclature and thin airfoil theory
5) Finite wings: downwash, induced drag, Biot-Savart law, lifting line theory, vortex lattice method
Viscous flow: Navier-Stokes equations and boundary layers
B) Aircraft Aerodynamic Design (Application)
1) Aerodynamic coefficients: magnitudes, variations, lift-to-drag ratio
2) Airfoils: geometry, pressure distribution, effects of camber, thickness, Reynolds number, stall, roughness, design goals
3) Finite wing: sizing, MAC, aspect ratio, taper, sweep, dihedral, twist, ground effect, numerical analysis
4) High-lift devices: leading‑edge (slat, Krüger) and trailing‑edge (plain, split, Fowler, Gurney) flaps
5) Tail: sizing, downwash, configurations, design guidelines
6) Drag reduction: prediction, breakdown, skin friction, laminar flow control, induced drag reduction
7) Wind tunnels: similarity criteria, types, instrumentation, flow visualization, errors
8) Propeller-airframe interaction: geometry, efficiency, types, diameter, blade count, ducted fans, P‑effects, propeller‑wing interaction, distributed propulsion
UAV General and Aerodynamic Design (fixed-wing, tiltrotor, multirotor types)
I designed this course to help students learn to apply aircraft general design principles, as well as theoretical aerodynamics models and methods, for shaping, n, and optimizing UAVs of airplane, tiltrotor, and multirotor types.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to define and justify quality criteria for design and optimization, shape a UAV configuration, calculate aerodynamic and flight performance characteristics, select and optimize airfoils and propellers for UAVs, plan UAV flight tests, design scaled models for special flight tests, and work with engineering methods and panel method codes in preliminary design.
Course Content
1) General UAV Design – Life cycle and design stages, project management (Gantt chart), technical requirements and quality function deployment (House of Quality), UAV types, calculation algorithms, design parameters (weight equation, wing loading, power-to-weight ratio, disk loading, constraint diagram, Breguet equation), propulsion and energy source selection, landing gear, flight performance calculation, parametric studies.
2) Aerodynamic Design of Fixed-wing UAVs – Flow parameters, flow models, streamlines, aerodynamic forces and moments, coefficients and their ranges, Reynolds number, boundary layer. Aerodynamic configuration. Wing: airfoils, wing planform, geometric parameters and aerodynamic characteristics, takeoff/landing devices. Tail and placement. Aerodynamic characteristics calculation: analytical methods, numerical methods (circulation, elementary flows, Kutta-Joukowski theorem, thin airfoil theory, lifting line theory, vortex lattice method), CFD. Effect of turbulent atmosphere.
3) Propeller Design and Optimization for Airplane UAVs, Propeller‑Airframe Interaction – Propeller geometry, types, required parameters and selection, thrust estimation, numerical methods for propeller calculation and optimization, propeller effect on airframe aerodynamics, distributed propulsion.
4) Tiltrotor UAV Design Features
5) Multirotor UAV Design
6) Flight Testing of UAVs – Goals and objectives, flight test planning.
7) UAV as a Scaled Model for Special Flight Tests – Similarity parameters and scaling principles, testing features.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to define and justify quality criteria for design and optimization, shape a UAV configuration, calculate aerodynamic and flight performance characteristics, select and optimize airfoils and propellers for UAVs, plan UAV flight tests, design scaled models for special flight tests, and work with engineering methods and panel method codes in preliminary design.
Course Content
1) General UAV Design – Life cycle and design stages, project management (Gantt chart), technical requirements and quality function deployment (House of Quality), UAV types, calculation algorithms, design parameters (weight equation, wing loading, power-to-weight ratio, disk loading, constraint diagram, Breguet equation), propulsion and energy source selection, landing gear, flight performance calculation, parametric studies.
2) Aerodynamic Design of Fixed-wing UAVs – Flow parameters, flow models, streamlines, aerodynamic forces and moments, coefficients and their ranges, Reynolds number, boundary layer. Aerodynamic configuration. Wing: airfoils, wing planform, geometric parameters and aerodynamic characteristics, takeoff/landing devices. Tail and placement. Aerodynamic characteristics calculation: analytical methods, numerical methods (circulation, elementary flows, Kutta-Joukowski theorem, thin airfoil theory, lifting line theory, vortex lattice method), CFD. Effect of turbulent atmosphere.
3) Propeller Design and Optimization for Airplane UAVs, Propeller‑Airframe Interaction – Propeller geometry, types, required parameters and selection, thrust estimation, numerical methods for propeller calculation and optimization, propeller effect on airframe aerodynamics, distributed propulsion.
4) Tiltrotor UAV Design Features
5) Multirotor UAV Design
6) Flight Testing of UAVs – Goals and objectives, flight test planning.
7) UAV as a Scaled Model for Special Flight Tests – Similarity parameters and scaling principles, testing features.
Modern Trends in Aircraft Design, Tools for Synthesis and Analysis of Design Solutions (Python‑based)
This course explores current trends in aircraft design, including unconventional configurations, distributed propulsion, electric and hybrid‑electric power systems, high‑aspect‑ratio wings, and urban air mobility vehicles (eVTOL). Students learn how to apply Python‑based tools for the synthesis (parametric modeling, geometry generation, design space exploration) and analysis (aerodynamic, propulsive, and structural performance) of design solutions. The course emphasizes low‑fidelity numerical methods suitable for early‑stage design, such as vortex lattice methods, panel methods, propeller models, and parametric optimization routines implemented in Jupyter Notebooks. Practical work includes building simple design and analysis pipelines, running trade‑off studies, and visualizing results to support design decisions.
Simulation in Aircraft Design and Optimization (CADFlo, Python‑based codes, machine learning)
This course introduces simulation‑driven methods for aircraft design and optimization, integrating low‑fidelity numerical models, high‑fidelity CFD via CADFlo, and data‑driven machine learning techniques. Students learn to build and automate simulation pipelines using Python, perform aerodynamic and performance analyses, and apply surrogate modeling (e.g., neural networks, Gaussian processes) to accelerate design space exploration. The course covers parametric geometry generation, mesh handling, solver integration with CADFlo, and optimization algorithms (gradient‑based, evolutionary, Bayesian). Emphasis is placed on combining physics‑based simulations with machine learning to reduce computational cost while maintaining accuracy. Practical work is conducted in Jupyter Notebooks, with projects involving real‑world aircraft design trade‑offs and multi‑objective optimization.
Academic Writing and Reviewing in Engineering
This course equips engineering students with the skills to write clear, structured, and persuasive scientific publications and to provide constructive peer reviews. Topics include the structure and style of technical papers, the role of the target audience, common pitfalls in engineering writing, and ethical considerations. In the reviewing module, students learn how journals evaluate manuscripts, how to identify strengths and weaknesses in a paper, and how to give actionable, respectful feedback. The course combines lectures with hands‑on exercises, including writing a short technical report and peer‑reviewing sample manuscripts. Special attention is given to writing in English for international audiences.
