Course Outline:
Week 1 | Hydraulic Systems Fundamentals
Demonstrates understanding of:
Basic principles of aircraft hydraulic systems, including fluid properties, system operation, and power transmission. Covers hydraulic power sources, reservoirs, pumps, and system layouts.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify hydraulic system components and describe system operation.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 1, Airframe Quiz 1
Week 2 | Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems – Components and Applications
Demonstrates understanding of:
Hydraulic system components including valves, actuators, accumulators, seals and gaskets, dampening and absorbing units, and contamination control. Introduction to aircraft pneumatic systems and their applications.
Demonstrates ability to:
Inspect hydraulic and pneumatic components and identify signs of wear, leaks, and contamination.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 2, Airframe Quiz 2
Week 3 | Landing Gear Systems – Types, Functions, and Design
Demonstrates understanding of:
Basic landing gear configurations, including fixed and retractable systems, and their primary functions. Covers design considerations, load absorption, and structural integration with the airframe.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify landing gear types and major components, and describe system operation.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 3, Airframe Quiz 3
Week 4 | Wheels and Tires
Demonstrates understanding of:
Aircraft wheels, tires, and tubes, including construction, materials, wear patterns, and servicing requirements.
Demonstrates ability to:
Inspect, service, and identify defects in wheels, tires, and tubes.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 4, Airframe Quiz 4
Week 5 | Aircraft Braking Systems and Anti-Skid
Demonstrates understanding of:
Brake system types and operation, including hydraulic braking systems and anti-skid systems. Emphasizes system function, heat dissipation, and wear.
Demonstrates ability to:
Inspect and service brake components and identify common discrepancies.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 5, Airframe Quiz 5
Week 6 | Nose Wheel Steering Systems
Demonstrates understanding of:
Nose/tail wheel steering system design and operation, including mechanical and hydraulic steering systems and their integration with landing gears.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify steering system components and perform basic inspection procedures.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 6, Airframe Quiz 6
Week 7 | Midterm Exam Week
Review of hydraulic, pneumatic, and landing gear systems.
Measurement:
Midterm Summative Assessment
Week 8 | Landing Gear Retraction Systems
Demonstrates understanding of:
Retraction and extension systems, including hydraulic, electric, and mechanical actuation methods, position indicators, and warning & emergency systems.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify retraction system components and describe system operation.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 7, Airframe Quiz 7
Week 9 | Landing Gear Fault Isolation and Troubleshooting
Demonstrates understanding of:
Common landing gear malfunctions, failure modes, and troubleshooting methodology.
Demonstrates ability to:
Diagnose landing gear system discrepancies and apply logical troubleshooting procedures.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 8, Airframe Quiz 8
Week 10 | Fuel Systems – Fundamentals
Demonstrates understanding of:
Fuel system principles, fuel characteristics, safety considerations, and basic system operation.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify major fuel system components and describe system operation.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 9, Airframe Quiz 9
Week 11 | Fuel Systems – Components and System Types
Demonstrates understanding of:
Fuel system configurations (gravity-feed and pump-feed), tanks, pumps, valves, lines, vents, and filtration.
Demonstrates ability to:
Identify and inspect fuel system components and distinguish between system types.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 10, Airframe Quiz 10
Week 12 | Fuel Systems – Inspection, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Demonstrates understanding of:
Inspection procedures, contamination control, common malfunctions, and maintenance practices.
Demonstrates ability to:
Perform inspections, identify contamination, and apply troubleshooting and corrective actions.
Measurement:
Airframe Lab 11, Airframe Quiz 11
Week 13 | Flex Week
Reserved for institutional breaks, schedule adjustments, or additional instruction/review as needed. This week provides flexibility to accommodate academic terms that are one week shorter (e.g., summer semester).
Measurement:
Airframe Quiz 12
Week 15 | Final Exam Week
Comprehensive review of all systems.
Measurement:
Final Summative Assessment