The Science of Flight

Course Overview

Master aviation principles with Professor James Gregory and Smithsonian experts through 24 illustrated lectures exploring flight mechanics from Wright Flyer to Space Shuttle, featuring iconic aircraft from the National Air and Space Museum.

Video Lessons

Aerodynamics Fundamentals

1. Fundamentals of Flight: Gliding (35 min)
   Angle of attack, lift/drag forces, and “Miracle on the Hudson” case study
2. Balloons, Buoyancy, and Atmosphere (35 min)
   Archimedes’ principle applied to Breitling Orbiter’s global circumnavigation
3. How Wings Produce Lift (31 min)
   Debunking lift myths and analyzing airfoil physics

Flight Mechanics

4. Drag Trade-Offs & Turbulence (34 min)
   Skin friction, pressure drag, and laminar flow optimization
5. Stall Events & Induced Drag (34 min)
   Live stall demonstration and accident case studies
6. Wind Tunnels & Predictions (33 min)
   Wright brothers’ research to modern computational analysis

Propulsion Systems

7. Propeller Aircraft Efficiency (34 min)
   Four-cycle engines and optimal propeller design
8. Jet Aircraft Thrust (32 min)
   Evolution from early jets to modern high-bypass turbofans

Aircraft Engineering

9. Structures & Materials (37 min)
   Wood to composites evolution with safety lessons
10. Stability & Flight Control (34 min)
    Wright brothers’ innovations to modern three-axis control

Performance Frontiers

11. Flying Faster & Higher (37 min)
    Calculating climb rates, ceilings and speed envelopes
12. Breaking Sound Barrier (36 min)
    Transonic challenges and supersonic solutions
13. Long-Distance Flight (33 min)
    Fuel calculations and range prediction equations

Specialized Flight

14. Aerobatics & Dogfighting (32 min)
    Energy management in aerial maneuvers
15. Aircraft Design Process (33 min)
    Weight ratios, wing loading and configuration layout
16. Helicopter Aerodynamics (33 min)
    Rotor physics and emergency procedures

Space Flight

20. Rocket Science Essentials (32 min)
    Propellants, thrust equations and multi-stage design
21. Orbital Mechanics (34 min)
    Circular/elliptical orbits and Apollo rendezvous
22. Interplanetary Travel (31 min)
    Hohmann transfers and gravity assist techniques
23. Atmospheric Reentry (34 min)
    Ballistic vs. gliding return profiles

Future Technologies

18. Autonomous Flight (32 min)
    Drone applications and automation challenges
19. Future of Flight (39 min)
    Space elevators, Mars flyers and personal air vehicles