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

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.

March 17-21, 2025, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Aerodynamic Design Improvements: High-Lift and Cruise

This course covers recent advances in high-lift systems and aerodynamics as well as cruise drag prediction and reduction. It includes discussion of numerical methods and experimental techniques for performance analysis of wings and bodies and boundary-layer transition prediction/detection.

Course preview webinar: Aerodynamic Design Improvements-Airplane Active Flow Control

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

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 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Aircraft Avionics Test and Evaluation Fundamentals

This course provides an overview of basic avionics systems flight test to include the understanding of test planning and risk management, as well as the necessity and complexity of flight test instrumentation and data collection. Students will understand the challenges of testing integrated systems, as well as understanding the importance of time, space and position information (TSPI), sources of TSPI and its use for data acquisition, reduction and analysis. They will review causes and methods of testing software and for identifying electromagnetic interference. Students will also receive a basic understanding of aerospace data bus architectures, communications and radio navigation systems, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, RADAR systems and electro-optical and infrared systems to help understand required flight test techniques. Students will also gain understanding in the challenges of human-machine interfaces which require crew station and workload evaluations as part of the aircraft and systems certification process.

Course preview webinar: Will Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Drive Changes to Avionics Systems Flight Testing?

September 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Aircraft Icing: Meteorology, Protective Systems, Instrumentation and Certification

This course covers the meteorology and physics of aircraft icing. Topics include forecasting, finding and avoiding icing conditions, designing and evaluating ice protection systems, and certification of aircraft for flight into known icing conditions.

September 16-19, 2024, 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 19-23, 2025, BEST Conference Center

Aircraft Structures: Analysis and Design

This course provides an introduction to the analysis and design of aircraft structures. Course content includes design criteria, structural design concepts, loads and load paths, metallic and composite materials, static strength, buckling and crippling, durability and damage tolerance, practical design considerations, certification and repair. Analysis exercises and a design project are included to better involve students in the learning process.

Course preview webinar: Sobering Stories of Aircraft Structural Inadequacy

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

Airplane Flight Dynamics

Participants in this course learn an overview of airplane static and dynamic stability and control theory and applications as well as classical control theory and applications to airplane control systems. An overview of flying qualities and regulations is included.

Course preview webinar: Flight Dynamics in Airplane Design: The Importance of Trim

September 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Cabin Safety and Crashworthiness of Aircraft Cabin Interiors

This course provides a fundamental review of transport airplane regulatory requirements and compliance-finding methodologies associated with cabin safety and crashworthiness regulations on aircraft cabin interior configurations. The course also reviews FAA/EASA criteria to determine the certification bases of Type Certification and Supplemental Type Certification projects.

September 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Dynamics for Aerospace Structures

This course is designed to provide participants with strong theoretical and practical knowledge of the methodologies for performing rigid body and modal-based dynamics analysis on a wide range of structural and mechanical systems.

September 16-19, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
March 17-20, 2025, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

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

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando
March 17-21, 2025, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Electromagnetic Effects Aircraft Level Testing and FAA Requirements

This course discusses the concepts of aircraft ground and flight testing that may be required to ensure that aircraft level systems are safe for operation when exposed to the effects of electromagnetic effects (EME), high intensity radiated fields (HIRF), lightning, precipitation static (P-static), and transmitting personal electronic devices (TPEDs).

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

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.

May 19-22, 2025, BEST Conference Center

FAA Type Certification Process

This course will focus on how to successfully complete an FAA type certificate project based on the published process outlined by the FAA, including a review of all required FAA forms and when to use them.

September 16-19, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

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

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

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.

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando
March 17-21, 2025, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

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.

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

Fundamentals of V/STOL Rotorcraft

This course will present key aspects of vertical flight and rotorcraft challenges through a review of their historical evolution, basic principles and enabling technologies. It will cover the fundamental principles underlying rotorcraft flight, flight performance, rotor limitations, configurations and conceptual design. Emphasis is placed on relating rotorcraft aerodynamics to airplane aerodynamics for those making the transition.

Course preview webinar: The History of Rotorcraft: Development of an Industry

September 16-19, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Future Propulsion Systems and Energy Sources in Sustainable Aviation

This course explores developing propulsion systems and energy sources to support future sustainable air transportation. Students will review the impact of air transportation on the environment, and explore new technology development for sustainable aviation, including innovations in alternative jet fuels, hybrid electric, all-electric and nuclear propulsion power. Students will examine modern propulsion for transonic and supersonic-hypersonic aircraft and the impact of propulsion on aircraft design. They will review major advances in the field that will provide performance enhancement, revolutionize design configurations and ensure the long-term viability of sustainable power.

September 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

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 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

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.

September 16-20, 2024, 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.

March 17-19, 2025, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport Southcenter

Operational Aircraft Performance and Flight Test Practices

This course provides an overview of airplane performance theory and prediction, certification standards and basic flight test practices. The course will focus on turbojet/turbofan powered aircraft certified under JAR/CAR/14 CFR Part 25. This standard will briefly be compared to military and Part 23 standards to show different approaches to safety, certification, operational and design differences.

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

Operational Test and Evaluation: User-Centric Systems 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 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

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.

Course preview webinar: Stepping Into FAA Airworthiness Requirements

October 14-17, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

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.

October 14-18, 2024, B Resort Hotel Orlando

Propulsion Systems for UAVs and General Aviation Aircraft

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art propulsion issues specific to UAVs and general aviation aircraft, including propulsion options, cycle analysis, principles of operation, systems, components, performance and efficiencies.

May 19-23, 2025, BEST Conference Center

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 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

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 ARP4761 and SAE ARP4754A, 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.

September 16-20, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Unmanned Aircraft System Software Airworthiness

This course covers the software airworthiness requirements for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It addresses the development and airworthiness evaluation of complex integrated software intensive unmanned aircraft systems, as well as the relationship between the acquisition/development processes for these systems and the key software airworthiness assessment processes.

September 16-18, 2024, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley