Course description
Sustainable Aviation: The Route to Climate-neutral Aviation
Sustainable aviation is a key area for climate action. In this course, we will introduce you to various aircraft technologies, and recent innovations and promising future developments in the field of aviation. All necessary mathematical and engineering concepts will explained.
We will start from the basics of how aircraft fly and how they impact the environment. You will gain present-day knowledge of technical solutions and possibilities of modern engineering to make aviation more sustainable.
Next, we will discuss solutions. you will learn about alternative propulsion methods, energy carriers (batteries, fuel cells) and novel aircraft designs (including the Flying V project at TU Delft, a new design for a highly energy-efficient and long-distance commercial aircraft.) We will also bust some common myths about the topics along the way, like why it is a very unpractical thought to simply cover up the entire aircraft with solar cells.
But the solutions presented will not cover just the technical aspects. You will discover the importance of the ecosystem surrounding aviation for its sustainability, including manufacturing and operations. The course will stimulate critical and creative thought about the future of aviation and how you can be part of those solutions.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites:
None, however some introductory-level university calculus is used in the course
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Recognize how the fundamentals of commercial air transport operations and the life cycle of aircraft impact the environment.
- Explain the inherent challenges in making aviation sustainable, and how these challenges stem from the principles of flight, propulsion, production and operation (there are no easy solutions!)
- Present the current technological possibilities for making aviation more sustainable, how these possibilities can be implemented, and what their limitations are.
- Discuss solutions for reducing the environmental impact of aviation on both the personal and the larger scale.
Training Course Content
Welcome
In the Welcome section of this course we will explain how the course is set up, how the EdX platform works and we will give you an opportunity to introduce yourself and find out who else is following this course.
Aviation and Climate Change
In the first week of the MOOC, we will kick things off by taking a birds-eye look at aviation and climate change.
- How do aircraft impact the environment
- Current situation
How do Aircraft Fly?
To understand how we can decrease aviation’s impact on the environment, you will first learn exactly how an aircraft is able to fly.
- The physics of flight: Lift and weight, thrust and drag
- Aircraft performance
- How to propel an aircraft
Propulsion and Energy Carriers
In this week, we will take a more detailed look at the elements of a propulsion system and the energy sources that drive them.
- Elements of propulsion systems
- Engine efficiency
- Aircraft energy carriers: options and limitations
- Sustainable aviation fuels
Production and End of Life
Of course, there is more to an aircraft than flying it. In week 4 of the MOOC, we will discuss the lifecycle of the aircraft.
- Lifecycle Assessment
- Production of aircraft
- During lifetime
- Aircraft end of life
Novel Aircraft Design and Climate Effects
As we near the end of the MOOC, there are two topics we want to touch upon in more detail: firstly, concepts for the aircraft of the future, and secondly, the actual impact of aircraft on climate.
- Novel aircraft designs
- Aircraft emissions and their effect on the atmosphere
- Aircraft noise
Operations and Conclusion
Lastly, we will consider aircraft and airline operations.
- Airline planning
- Air traffic management
- Airport operations
Conclusion and Final Assignment
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Delft University of Technology, a partner institute of EdX.
4–5 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$50
- Audit Track - Free