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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Flight mechanics - The basis by ISAE-SUPAERO

4.7
stars
473 ratings

About the Course

More than one century after the Wright brothers' first flight, the flight still defy our intuition. You will learn here how to name the different parts of the airplane and how to describe and quantify its geometry. For that, we need now to share a precise vocabulary to describe the airplane's movement and attitude in space, and a refresher on basic general mechanic principles. You will remind how Newton's 2nd law allows you to determine what force must be applied on an apple - or on an airplane, to modify the magnitude and direction of its speed. Coming back on the concepts of kinetic energy and potential energy, you will discover the very useful concept of total height and you will be able to explain how an airplane can quickly exchange speed for altitude, while changes in total height are much slower. In the end, you will discover that only a very small number of forces apply on an airplane in flight and that you will be able to classify those that change its energy state and those that modify its trajectory. You will discover the concept of load factor and understand why the pilot of a combat aircraft can feel a weight nine-time greater than his actual weight! Finally, we will establish the lift and propulsion equations, that form the basis of flight mechanics, and you will be able to compute the lift and thrust necessary to follow a given trajectory at a given speed. This course is for anybody interested in learning more about how planes work, the physics of flying, or flight mechanics. It will be of particular interest to undergraduate students in aerospace engineering, trainees as well as senior pilots, journalists, and professionals in the aeronautics sector. Although some mathematical formalism may be present sometimes. It is always doubled by sketches, figures, and hands-explanations. So that, anybody can skip the formulas without losing the core understanding of the concepts. No apples were harmed in the making of this course... This course is only a foretaste of the mechanics of flight. ISAE-SUPAERO and Eric Poquillon will offer you other courses and the first specialization in autumn 2021. Initially, three courses will be published to answer several questions: Can we fly as high as we want? What is a stall? Why do some planes have propellers and others have jet engines? Is an airplane always stable? How do you control an airplane following an engine failure? All this and more will be covered in this series of flight mechanics courses. This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals of Flight mechanics"....

Top reviews

JS

Jan 3, 2022

T​he videos were extremely concise, and I felt I really learned a lot from this course. Although I'm 13 years old, I managed to push through with my love for planes.

UK

Sep 3, 2021

THANKS SIR ERIC FOR TEACHING ME AND OTHERS ABOUT THE BASICS PARTS AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT AND ITS MECHANICS. A WARM THANKS .

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26 - 50 of 118 Reviews for Flight mechanics - The basis

By Vincent

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May 15, 2024

The examples and illustrations are helpful. The instructor seems to take interest in teaching. I didn't pass with flying colors, but the I learned a lot.

By Aayush S

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Jul 5, 2022

It was a really great course with short and informative videos and also very meaningful quizzes and assignment. I am glad that I chose this course.

By Chanduri S A

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Sep 22, 2024

My personal problems faced while completing course -Volume is little low -Would be helpful if there is human assistance for clarifying doubts

By Ashraf J

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Apr 14, 2024

It really is worth your time and it will give you a good introduction as to how things work in aerodynamics, specifically for planes that is.

By Gert R

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Jan 21, 2022

This was an excellent introduction into Flight Mechanics. Eric's video's are great and really helps to understand the concepts explained.

By Eric T

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May 27, 2022

Very good course that give the basics principles of Flight Mechanics, recommended for anybody interested to learn aerospace engineering

By Ivan B

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Sep 14, 2022

Very insightful! Would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in aviation and wanting to deepen their knowledge in the field...

By Divine O

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Jul 10, 2022

i am super happy with my achievement. i would love to say a big thank you to coursera for providing this platform for learning

By SÙRĀJ U K

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Oct 24, 2022

This course is very help full for my career to build knowledge about Flight Mechanics. The teaching is very realestic.

By Edward W

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Jul 31, 2022

I have a great experienced in following this course. Great explanation and instruction from ISAE-SUPAERO adn Mr. Eric

By Sultan İ T

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Dec 22, 2022

A very nice and useful course. It is very useful and instructive for everyone who has an interest in aviation.

By R. J D D

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Jul 3, 2024

I like this course very much and understood lot of things. hoping to be an Aerospace Engineer someday

By SANJIV V

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Mar 5, 2025

I REALLY LOVE THIS COURSE! THANKS TO PROFESSOR ERIC FOR HIS EXCELLENT TEACHING AND GREAT LECTURES.

By nevo s

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May 12, 2024

course was full of knowledge and videos explaining the diffrent concepts, tutor was really good.

By tsega s

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Jul 20, 2022

This is the best course i have to understand the principle of Aircraft or flight mechanics

By DAVID C E

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Sep 10, 2024

me ha gustado mucho, y los videos prácticos en el avión, etc han sido superinteresantes

By Andres T

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Jul 25, 2025

This course delves deeply into the subject, exceeding thus way my expectations.

By Tirth B

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Jul 9, 2023

amazing experience thank you so much coursera for teaching me flight mechanics

By Gustavo G

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Nov 10, 2021

Excellent explanation, very clear concepts and great mastery of the teacher !

By Jessica A

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Sep 17, 2021

It was great learning opportunity. I wish it has a certificate of completion

By Varun C

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Oct 8, 2024

Learned a lot about the anatomy of the aircraft and its various functions

By Eakamjit

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Jul 18, 2024

The course was well-structured and overall easy to go through.

By Aymane F

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Jan 19, 2024

EXCELLENT COURSE FROM A HIGH STATUS INGINEERING SCHOOL

By Anastasiia Y

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Aug 2, 2022

Everything is clear and accurate! It's a nice course.

By Semachew F M

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Nov 15, 2021

I need the certificate. And you should provide that.