Aerospace airplane

Aerospace Short Courses

Aerospace

Public Courses

Each year, the KU Aerospace Short Course Program offers groups of short courses at specific locations in the U.S. Individual courses range from 1-5 days in length, and are delivered in a traditional classroom setting. Participants learn face-to- face from industry expert instructors. Group discussions and networking opportunities enhance the learning experience.

Orlando San Diego Seattle Kansas City

Courses & Events

AE508-NC: Aerospace Structures II

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the structural analysis techniques used in aerospace engineering, with a focus on finite element methods (FEM) and their application to aircraft and spacecraft components. The course bridges theoretical foundations with practical tools and workflows used in engineering design and analysis.

This course contains no sessions
Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.

AE727-NC: Aircraft Antenna Systems

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to aircraft antenna systems, with a focus on real-world applications in aerospace communication, navigation, and sensing. Designed for professionals in the aerospace industry, this course emphasizes practical design methodologies, CAD tools, and performance analysis techniques relevant to modern aircraft systems.

This course contains no sessions
Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.

Advanced Topics in System Safety for Commercial Certification

Advanced System Safety will elevate students' safety process acumen by diving deeper into the safety process and introducing a small cradle to grave project to provide practical experience in using the safety process to help design and develop the proper set of documentation for compliance to requirements.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Aerodynamic Design of Commercial Airplanes

In this course, participants learn how aerodynamics drive the detailed exterior design of transport aircraft. What aerodynamic phenomena play a role in the exterior design of a wing, a cockpit or an engine intake? What is the effect of aerodynamic add-ons such as vortex generators, fairings or winglets? What are the advantages and penalties of wing sweep, and how can the penalties be mitigated by the aerodynamic design of the wing? These are some of the questions this course addresses.

April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Aerodynamic Design of Military Aircraft

In this course it is demonstrated how the aerodynamic design of combat aircraft affect their overall performance. Particular topics that are treated are the effect of (supersonic) aerodynamics on trim, stability, control, and (supersonic) maneuverability.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Aircraft Lightning: Requirements, Component Testing, Aircraft Testing and Certification

This course provides details for direct and indirect effects of aircraft lightning testing and certification. Requirements for both composite and metallic aircraft, including proper RTCA/DO-160 classifications, are examined. The course will also include a high-level overview of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF), Precipitation Static (P-Static) and Electrical Bonding requirements. The new requirements of Electrical Wiring and Installation System (EWIS) and Fuel Tank Safety (14 CFR 25.981 Amd. 102) will also be addressed.

May 17-21, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Aircraft Structural Loads: Criteria, Analysis, and Validation

This course provides an overview of aircraft structural external loads analysis including: criteria, design, analysis, fatigue, certification, validation, and testing. It covers CFR Part 25 airplane load requirements and the historical CFR Part 23 requirements which are the basis of the current ASTM standards. These concepts are applicable to many military structural requirements, UAV's, and other experimental or novel configuration aircraft.

Course preview webinar: eVTOL - Loads and Dynamics Criteria and Considerations

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Aircraft Structures Flight Testing

The course will provide the students with a foundation for understanding structures flight testing to the extent that they can plan and participate in structures flight trials of air vehicles of all kinds. One half will consist of academics, building knowledge of aircraft structures and how they behave. The second half will transition this knowledge into flight test planning and execution techniques used in gathering data to validate predictions and demonstrate flight safety.

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort

Airplane Preliminary Design

This course provides an overview of the fixed-wing airplane design decision-making process and the relation of design to manufacturing, maintainability and cost-effectiveness. It is applicable to jet transport, turboprop commuter transport, military (trainers, fighter bomber, UAV) and general aviation aircraft. The design process covers sizing (weight, wing area, thrust/power), aerodynamics, weight and balance, stability, control and cost. Numerous examples are shown. Lessons learned and "what to watch out for" are discussed.

November 2-5, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort

Conceptual Design of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This course provides a conceptual approach to the overall design of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) including concepts of operations, communications, payloads, control stations, air vehicles and support. It also covers requirements and architecture development, initial sizing and conceptual-level parametric and spreadsheet assessment of major system elements.

May 17-19, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) and FAA Requirements

This course discusses the FAA Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and design concepts required to ensure all aspects of aircraft electrical wiring and installation are safe. It examines aircraft wiring as a system and reviews all Part 25 CFRs related to EWIS FAA certification.

Course preview webinar: EWIS - Demonstrating Compliance for Aerospace Compliance

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) Safety Assessment - 25.1709

This course focuses on the requirements and methods that can be used to demonstrate compliance to 14 CFR 25.1709 (EWIS Safety Analysis). The discussion will examine the use of FAA AC 25.1701-1 to prepare a Functional and Physical Analysis. The course will also include an overview of the EWIS requirements included in 14 CFR Part 25, subpart H.

Course preview webinar: Developing an EWIS Safety Analysis: Methodology & Requirements


November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort

FAA Type Certification Plan Development

This course will prepare you to develop a thorough FAA certification plan/project specific certification plan (CP/PSCP) that meets the requirements of Order 8110.4C associated with new type certification projects. Please note that as of 2024 this course has changed length from 4 days to 4.5 days.

April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Flight Control and Hydraulic Systems

This course covers fundamental design issues, along with analysis and design methodologies for aerospace hydraulic and flight control systems. Topics include design requirements, component description and operation, component and system math modeling, component sizing, system layout rationale, system sizing and airframe integration. The course emphasizes the fundamentals and necessary engineering tools (both analytical and otherwise) needed to understand and design aerospace hydraulic and flight control systems.

Course preview webinar: The Future of Flight Control: A Flight Control Engineer's Perspective

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Flight Test Principles and Practices

This course provides an introduction to and definition of the basic flight test process, application of engineering principles to flight tests and description of common flight test practices, along with an introduction to the flight test discipline. The course is embellished with a variety of examples from completed flight test programs.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Flight Testing Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Unique Challenges

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are comprised of an unmanned vehicle (UAV), a manned control element(s), and various data and control links. Although unmanned, the vehicle is still an aircraft and must be tested with the same rigor and precision as manned systems. However, being "unmanned" and being part of an integrated system, UAVs demand unique flight test approaches that present corresponding challenges.

Course preview webinar: Taking the Pilot out of the Cockpit is a Big Deal!

September 14-16, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Fundamental Avionics

This course provides a very broad overview of avionics. It covers the historical evolution of the avionics industry and usage of avionics to the present day. You will learn why avionics is what it is today, in addition to understanding how it works. The course covers legacy systems still in use and the latest state-of-the-art systems currently being installed.

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort

High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) Certification and Compliance

This course covers the design concepts required to ensure all aspects of aircraft HIRF electrical wiring, installations, and aircraft-level systems are safe for operation. It also covers the typical certification process for HIRF from a very practical, step-by-step perspective and examine all steps used by aircraft OEMs to show compliance to HIRF regulations. The 14 CFR 25.1317 for transport category airplanes will be used as the baseline regulation.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Human Factors Engineering for Civil Flight Deck Design and Certification

This course is intended to give engineers, pilots, and managers involved in the design and certification of civil flight decks an introduction to the required human factors engineering activities. The course reviews the physical, physiological, psychological, and cognitive performance capabilities of flight crews. It explores the limitations of pilots' performance and how they are impacted by systemic variables in the flight deck environment. It then examines how pilots' capabilities and limitations impact crew workload and human error. The course builds a theoretical human factors engineering foundation for designing and assessing civil flight decks and their installed systems and equipment. The course provides flight deck design examples and accident analysis from a human factors point of view.

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Hydrogen-based Aircraft and Airports: Concepts, Technologies, and Configurations

This course will equip students with the skills necessary to understand hydrogen as an alternative fuel source including its integration with conventional and cleaner fuels for aircraft and airports.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Using Enhanced Zonal Analysis Procedure

This course will discuss the Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems/Fuel Tank Safety (EAPAS/FTS) rule. This rule requires design approval holders (DAH) and applicants to develop instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), consisting of maintenance and inspection tasks, intervals, and procedures for the representative airplane's electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) for each affected type design.

September 14-16, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
May 17-19, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Introduction to Electromagnetic Effects (EME) and Aircraft Engineering Requirements

This course will provide participants with an understanding of electromagnetic effects related to aircraft engineering requirements, FAA certification requirements, testing requirements for both DO-160 bench testing and aircraft level testing related to EMC/P-Static/ESD/TPED's/HIRF/EWIS and lightning. For a more in-depth focus on aircraft level testing and FAA requirements it is recommended to take Electromagnetic Effects Aircraft Level Testing and FAA Requirements, in-person or online after taking this course.


September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
May 17-21, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Introduction to FAA Airworthiness Approval Requirements

This course will provide an overall understanding of the 14 CFR Part 21 requirements necessary to obtain design, production and airworthiness approvals for civil aviation products and articles. Title 14, CFR Part 21 regulations are the backbone of the regulatory framework that enables Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) to conduct its certification responsibilities on products and articles. Under 14 CFR Part 21, §21.1, the FAA defines a product as an aircraft, engine or propeller, while an article means a material, part, component, process or appliance. In addition to 14 CFR Part 21, this course will delve into certain aspects of 14 CFR Part 43, outlining the requirements to receive approval for alterations/repairs for civil aviation products and articles. An overview is provided on FAA organizational structure, additional 14 CFR Parts, regulatory/guidance material, and rulemaking procedures.

September 14-17, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
May 17-20, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Introduction to Fuel Tank Safety and Ignition Prevention: Design, Certification and Compliance

This course provides details on all elements of fuel tank design needed for compliance with the regulation, with specific emphasis on electrical design aspects. Some review of regulatory history of 25.984 and 25.981 up to Amendment 25-146 is included for reference for TC, ATC, and STC work. Specific design implementations are examined and evaluated. The course will also include a high-level overview of electromagnetic effects and compatibility (EME/EMC), lightning effects (direct and indirect), high intensity radiated fields (HIRF), precipitation static (P-static), electrical bonding requirements, and requirements for electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS).

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort

Principles of Aeroelasticity

This course is designed to provide a qualitative understanding of aeroelastic behavior for aerospace vehicles. The class will explore different forms of aeroelastic phenomena and associated issues in structural dynamics and aerodynamic-structure interaction. The level of class instruction is appropriate for engineers and managers with an undergraduate degree in engineering.

May 17-21, 2027, BEST Conference Center

Principles of Aerospace Engineering

The course will provide an introduction to aerospace engineering principles for non-aerospace professionals. Explanation of different disciplines in an aircraft development program are discussed. Class discussions include introduction to atmosphere, aircraft components, aerodynamics, weight and balance, stability and control, aircraft performance and an introduction to loads. Fixed wing aircraft, VTOL aircraft and helicopters as well as spacecraft (limited) will be introduced.

September 14-16, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Operational Test and Evaluation: Customer-Focused Testing

This OT&E course is designed to introduce students to the language, processes and assorted tools to estimate, plan, accomplish risk assessment, provision, conduct, analyze and report on operational tests.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Stress Analysis for Aerospace Structures

This course is designed for the practicing engineer who has an interest in the various aspects of stress analysis in aerospace structural-mechanical design and would like to enhance his or her expertise in this important field.

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Structural Composites

This course provides an introduction to high-performance composite materials, covering both engineering and manufacturing of composite parts and assemblies, basic material properties of the constituents (fiber and matrix), how they combine to form plies, or lamina, how to obtain lamina properties, how laminae are combined to form laminates and how to obtain the laminate properties. Other engineering topics include stress analysis, failure criteria and testing methods.

Course preview webinar: Advances in Composite Aircraft Manufacturing

September 14-18, 2026, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
April 12-16, 2027, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

System Safety Assessment for Commercial Aircraft Certification

This course develops the skills necessary to write and review system safety assessments for regulatory compliance to 14CFR 2X.1309 and 23.2510. Class participants are walked through the evolution of the safety rule and specific techniques for compliance through a comprehensive look at the regulations and current regulatory guidance. In-depth reviews of industry standards in system safety such as SAE ARP4761A and SAE ARP4754B, and ASTM F3230-17 followed by exercises, examples, and class discussions strengthens the students understanding of safety for compliance. By the end of the class, students gain the ability to develop meaningful system safety requirements, design safety compliant systems and equipment, and improve their skills in developing system safety compliance documentation.

November 2-6, 2026, Renaissance Orlando Resort
May 17-21, 2027, BEST Conference Center