Introduction to Fixed-Wing Drone Design
What you'll learn
- How to design fixed-wing drones to mission requirements
- How to perform basic sizing of the airframe
- How to select an appropriate propulsion system
- How to do basic airfoil analysis
- How to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of your airframe
- An understanding of tradeoffs for mission requirements
Requirements
- Access to a computer with a web browser.
- Basic background in algebra and some trigonometry.
- Understand the definitions of basic aircraft parts.
Description
Now is the best time in history to be involved in aircraft design.
Drones are used for agriculture, search and rescue, package delivery, and will be used for many missions not even thought up yet. Because drones have to be specially designed for each mission, this means that now is the best time in history to be involved in aircraft design. Today we have the best tools and methods and can design aircraft like never before. Come explore the world of aircraft design and get involved in this exciting industry!
You will learn:
The basics of aircraft design with an emphasis on the drone industry needs and missions
Sizing for mission requirements
Propulsion system selection
Design tradeoffs
3D modeling
Airfoil analysis
Pointers on detailed aerodynamic design
By taking this course, you'll see the world of aircraft design differently and have a deeper understanding of the exciting challenges that await in this burgeoning world of drone design.
This course includes:
45 Lessons
Over 2 hours of instruction
Exercises to get your mind turning
Your instructors, Doug and Sam, love talking about airplanes. They have both been heavily involved in this industry for years.
The industry needs new minds and fresh ideas. Companies are born every day that need the skills this course offers. Don’t wait – be a part of this exiting wave of next-generation aircraft.
Let's get started!
Who this course is for:
- Anyone who wants to learn how to design fixed wing drones
- Anyone who is curious about aircraft design
- Those who just want to learn something new!
Instructors
![Doug Hunsaker](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 372 Reviews
- 3,370 Students
- 2 Courses
As a student, my aerodynamics course was over my head.
It seemed to be full of vague concepts I had to memorize to pass the test. How could I ever be an aerospace engineer if I couldn't master aerodynamics?
I ended up taking ANOTHER aerodynamics course, and finally teaching a course before it really clicked. And when it did, the physics was beautiful.
Since then I've put together tons of videos about aerodynamics and aircraft that focus on the principles. Once you master the principles, aerospace engineering is much clearer.
Like the Wright Brothers said, "The best dividends on the labor invested have invariably come from seeking more knowledge rather than more power."
I've designed aircraft for Facebook, Scaled Composites, AeroVironment, and others. But what I love most is teaching others the principles so they can leave their mark in aerospace.
- 4.4 Instructor Rating
- 351 Reviews
- 2,146 Students
- 1 Course
Sam Weiss studied Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in Aerospace Engineering at Utah State University and graduated in 2014. He has designed, built and flown a number of high performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for remote sensing, package delivery and recreation. Experienced in the design of fixed-wing, multi-rotor, and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs and the many nuances of each variation. While his specialties are configuration design, performance analysis, aircraft sizing, and rapid prototyping, Sam has meaningful experience in high and low power electrical systems, manufacturing, flight controls, and thermal management.