Using Engineering Design Class To Develop A Transitional Training Device For Aviation Students

Primary Flight students encounter a negative transfer of information early in their flight training while learning to taxi (steer) an airplane in the airport environment. Non-pilots rely on using their hands to manipulate vehicular movement in automobiles. In aircraft, the control yoke does not become effective for turning the airplane until sufficient airflow is achieved while in flight. In addition, directional control on the ground is not achieved by movement of the ailerons or the elevator. In most general aviation aircraft, directional control on the ground is achieved by a steerable nose wheel and/or the deflection of the rudder. Early in the training process, students must overcome the strong desire to control the aircraft’s movement by the use of control yoke inputs and instead, use the rudder pedals. The challenge for freshman engineering students is to design a mechanical device that simulates the steerable nosewheel control system for use by pilots early in their training process. The engineering students were challenged to create specifications for a turning radius for the device. This involved investigation of how a steerable nosewheel operates on an actual airplane. Based on these specifications, the students were challenged to design a mechanical linkage system that allows the freedom of movement to meet these specifications. This design project gives engineering students an opportunity to apply design principles to a practical project. The engineering students gain an understanding of work as a team; work with the client, and the sequence and process of design. Beginning pilots using the device gain an enhancement of motor skills that positively transfer to learning to steer the airplane. This paper addresses the experiences of engineering and aviation science students to achieve these objectives.