Understanding Airplanes - A mini-degree in aeronautical engineering. No math, no homework, no tests

What is "Understanding Airplanes"?
It is a eight-hour "mini degree" in aeronautical engineering.
There is no math, no homework, and no tests.
All information is presented with the help of photos, diagrams, and videos, so as to be easy to learn.
"Understanding Airplanes" summarizes all of the topics necessary to understand how an airplane works. It covers why each part of an airplane is designed the way it is, and why they are designed differently in different airplanes:
   • Aerodynamics (lift and drag)
   • Structures (minimizing weight) and Manufacturing (minimizing cost),
   • Propulsion (engines)
   • Performance (efficiency, speed, altitude, maneuvering, takeoff and landing requirements)
   • Stability (tail fins and weight distribution)
   • Many other topics: Preliminary design, control systems, maintenance, safety...
"Understanding Airplanes" consists of seven online courses, each requiring less than two hours.
It was originally created and taught at Stanford University. Since then, it has been taught to over a thousand Boeing employees around the US and is one of the most popular trainings in the company. It is now available to the general public.

Who should take "Understanding Airplanes"?
The program was designed for three groups of people:
   •    Professionals in the aviation industry who do not have an aeronautical engineering background but who wish to understand the engineering behind why each part of an airplane is designed the way it is.
   •    Students who will study aeronautical engineering, or who are considering it, and who want a summary of all major topics presented in a "big picture" way, without equations, focusing on why each topic is important and how it comes into play in the real world.
   •    Job seekers and students who are applying for competitive jobs or academic programs or certification trainings related to aviation, and who are looking for a diploma that demonstrates their knowledge and interest, to help them become better-qualified candidates.

Where and when is the course offered?
"Understanding Airplanes" is offered online through a MOOC platform called Udemy. All lectures are permanently video-archived: Anyone can register and take the course at any time. More details here.
After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, "Understanding Airplanes" is finally again being offered in person multiple times a year. Details about dates, locations, and how to sign up for in-person sessions can be found here.

Copyright 2022 Ⓒ Bernardo Malfitano



	What is "Understanding Airplanes"? It is a eight-hour "mini degree" in aeronautical engineering. There is no math, no homework, and no tests. All information is presented with the help of photos, diagrams, and videos, so as to be easy to learn. "Understanding Airplanes" summarizes all of the topics necessary to understand how an airplane works. It covers why each part of an airplane is designed the way it is, and why they are designed differently in different airplanes: • Aerodynamics (lift and drag) • Structures (minimizing weight) and Manufacturing (minimizing cost), • Propulsion (engines) • Performance (efficiency, speed, altitude, maneuvering, takeoff and landing requirements) • Stability (tail fins and weight distribution) • Many other topics: Preliminary design, control systems, maintenance, safety... "Understanding Airplanes" consists of seven online courses, each requiring less than two hours. It was originally created and taught at Stanford University. Since then, it has been taught to over a thousand Boeing employees around the US and is one of the most popular trainings in the company. It is now available to the general public. Who should take "Understanding Airplanes"? The program was designed for three groups of people: • Professionals in the aviation industry who do not have an aeronautical engineering background but who wish to understand the engineering behind why each part of an airplane is designed the way it is. • Students who will study aeronautical engineering, or who are considering it, and who want a summary of all major topics presented in a "big picture" way, without equations, focusing on why each topic is important and how it comes into play in the real world. • Job seekers and students who are applying for competitive jobs or academic programs or certification trainings related to aviation, and who are looking for a diploma that demonstrates their knowledge and interest, to help them become better-qualified candidates. Where and when is the course offered? "Understanding Airplanes" is offered online through a MOOC platform called Udemy. All lectures are permanently video-archived: Anyone can register and take the course at any time. More details here. After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, "Understanding Airplanes" is finally again being offered in person multiple times a year. Details about dates, locations, and how to sign up for in-person sessions can be found here.
	Copyright 2022 Ⓒ Bernardo Malfitano