Aircraft Design Course | IIT Kanpur NPTEL | Prof. A.K. Ghosh | Aerospace Engineering
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 573 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Aerospace Engineering, Flight Mechanics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Art of Aircraft Design with IIT Kanpur's Premier Course
Have you ever looked at an airplane and wondered about the intricate science and engineering behind its creation? The process of transforming a set of requirements into a flying machine is both an art and a precise science. For aspiring aerospace engineers, B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD students, a deep understanding of aircraft design is fundamental. We are excited to present a detailed guide to a comprehensive 12-week course on Aircraft Design, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur through the NPTEL platform.
Your Guide: Learn from an Industry and Academic Luminary
This course is taught by Professor A.K. Ghosh of the Aerospace Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur. Prof. Ghosh is not just an academic; he is a seasoned expert with a rich background in both defense research and cutting-edge aviation technology.
- Industry Pedigree: Before joining IIT Kanpur, he served as a scientist with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), contributing to critical national projects.
- Hands-On Leadership: He is the in-charge of the Flight Laboratory and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) facilities at IIT Kanpur, ensuring the course content is grounded in practical reality.
- Proven Research & Mentorship: His research spans system identification, neural networks in flight tests, supercavitation, and UAS design. He has guided numerous doctoral and master's students and mentors several aerospace startups.
- Major Contributions: Prof. Ghosh has been associated with significant industry projects including high-speed low-drag aircraft bombs, Pinaka Mk-I, and advanced ammunition design.
Course Overview: From Concept to Detailed Design
This undergraduate/postgraduate level course meticulously walks you through the entire aircraft conceptual design process. It is structured to take you from a blank sheet of paper to a viable, optimized aircraft concept, ready for preliminary analysis.
Intended Audience: B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD students in Aerospace, Mechanical, and related engineering fields.
Prerequisites: A basic understanding of airplane performance is recommended. You can refresh your knowledge with the NPTEL course "Introduction to Airplane Performance."
Industries That Value This Knowledge: The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of leading global and national aerospace giants including DRDO, HAL, Boeing, Airbus, Bell, McDonnell Douglas, UAV Factory, and Lockheed Martin.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is systematically divided into weekly modules, each building upon the last to provide a holistic design education.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-3: Foundations & Initial Sizing | Design process overview, airfoil selection, thrust-to-weight ratio, wing loading, control-surface sizing, and initial configuration layout. |
| Week 4-5: Systems Integration | Crew station and payload design, propulsion/fuel system integration, and landing gear arrangements. |
| Week 6-7: Analysis & Development | Step-by-step new design development, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, loads, and weight estimation methods. |
| Week 8-9: Stability & Performance | Longitudinal and lateral-directional static stability, control, handling qualities, equations of motion, and flight operating envelope. |
| Week 10-11: Economics & Trade-Offs | Aircraft cost analysis, operations & maintenance, airline economics, sizing trade studies, and extremes of flight. |
| Week 12: Advanced Concepts | Design of unique concepts: Flying Wing, Tailless, Lifting Fuselage, Blended Wing-Body, with practical examples. |
Essential Reference Books
To complement the video lectures, Prof. Ghosh recommends two seminal texts that are considered bibles in aerospace education:
- "Introduction to Flight" by John D. Anderson Jr. - A perfect book for understanding fundamental aerospace principles.
- "Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach" by Daniel P. Raymer - The definitive guide for practicing conceptual aircraft design, directly aligning with the course's practical approach.
Why Enroll in This Aircraft Design Course?
This course is more than just a series of lectures. It is a structured journey into the mind of a designer. You will learn not only the "how" but also the "why" behind every major decision in aircraft conception. Whether you aim for a career in national defense with DRDO, commercial aviation with Airbus or Boeing, or the innovative field of UAVs, this course provides the robust foundational knowledge required to excel.
Under the expert guidance of Prof. A.K. Ghosh, you will gain insights from both cutting-edge academic research and hard-earned industrial experience. Enroll today and take the first step towards designing the future of flight.
Enroll Now →