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An understanding of the conceptual and preliminary design of aircraft is
imperative for the success of any aeronautical engineer working for a prime
contractor. Few engineers are directly involved in conceptual and preliminary
design. Most work in other specialized technologies that provide
contributions to the aircraft design and operation. Understanding the
significance of their contribution, and the multi-disciplinary optimization that
occurs in the design process whereby their contribution of technology is traded
against other technologies, is critical to producing a well-rounded aerospace
engineer. ABET accreditation requires a capstone course in aerospace
vehicle design in order to achieve this goal.
Our Mission
The goal of ADAC is to provide instruction in aircraft conceptual and preliminary design so
that the student understands:
 | the design processes |
| how appropriate technologies are
applied |
| how to identify and reduce risk |
| how to produce a superior product.
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ADAC will also provide consulting services
in aircraft design and operations to industry and academia.
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Cathay
Pacific L-1011 on the notorious approach to Runway 13 at the old Kai Tak
airport in Hong Kong. |
The Lockheed
L-1011 and Douglas DC-10 were both designed to meet the American Airlines
requirement for an ORD-LAX widebody. The commercial aircraft industry
might be very different today if either company had looked beyond that
requirement, considered the future growth in big high bypass ratio fan
engines, and built a twin-engined aircraft instead. |
American Airlines DC-10 |
Contents of This Website
This website is under continuous development.
It currently contains information in four categories:
| Raymer Annotations: Links to annotations
in portable document format (pdf) for Dan Raymer's book "Aircraft Design: A Conceptual
Approach. Fourth Edition", published by the AIAA. This section is
being expanded as new annotations are documented and linked to the website.
This category comprises the largest part of this website at present.
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| AIAA Competitions: Links and other
information related to the AIAA Team Aircraft Design Competitions. |
| Support: Other spreadsheets and documents related
to the aircraft conceptual design process. |
| Experience: A summary of the
experience of the principal of ADAC. |
Company Profile
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Tony Hays has worked in the aircraft
industry for over 40 years. He has worked for aircraft manufacturers
in the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S. He is currently located in
San Clemente, California, and teaches a capstone design class at the
University of California San Diego. Click on the Experience button
above for a complete CV. |
Sometimes a successful design is a matter of being in the right place at
the right time. The DHC-6 Twin Otter was designed as a floatplane, but
with fixed landing gear it happened to meet the FAA commuter airplane
definition of having a maximum takeoff gross weight under 12,500 lb and
carried 20 passengers. It was sturdy and reliable with PT-6 engines,
and was popular with commuter airlines. With a maximum wing loading of
only 30 lb/ft2 the ride could be uncomfortable on a hot day.
The type certificate has been purchased by Viking Air in Vancouver, BC, and
and deliveries of Series 400 aircraft will start in 2009. |
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Contact Information
- Telephone
- 949-573-4225
- FAX
- 208-247-2915
- Postal address
- 1810 Vista Marea, San Clemente, CA 92673
- Electronic mail
- General Information:
ahays@alum.mit.edu
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The Lockheed C-130 was designed by a team led by Willis
Hawkins in response to an Air Force RFP issued in February 1951. The
C-130 has been in production since 1954, and the current version (C-130J)
has been selected by the armed forces of eight countries. Like other
long-lived designs, its maximum takeoff gross weight has increased (from
124,000 lb to 155,000 lb), and
performance has been greatly improved as more powerful engines became
available. The designer's dilemma is that designing-in the capability
for growth (such as oversizing the wing), may penalize the initial design
but improve the chances for a long-lived production line. |
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