Internet Guide Pertaining to Aerospace
Engineers
C. Fred Herlihy
English 202c Section 010
2/5/14
Table of Contents
I.
Preface
A.
Guide Contents & Scope
3
B.
Audience & Purpose
3
D.
Organization
4
C.
E.
II.
Assumptions
Tips for Use
3
4
General Information
A.
B.
C.
Aerospace Specific Resources
1.
Aviation Week
5
2.
University of Illinois Airfoil Database
6
3.
Federal Aviation Administration
7
4.
Engineering Toolbox
8
Professional Journals or Publications
1.
Government
9
2.
Pro Journal in Field
10
Other Resources
1.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
11
2.
Index of Periodical Literature
12
Information About the Guide:
Content & Scope:
This guide contains vital resources for aerospace engineers as they travel through their most
important years in college; junior and senior years. There are a variety of invaluable sources within the
guide that were used by me and my fellow colleagues over the past couple years. In addition there are a
few publications with relevant information within the field of aircraft design that are helpful too. Each
source is handpicked from a number of accredited sources to be used as a study and work aid. Enjoy!
Audience & Purpose:
This aerospace engineering guide (focusing mainly on aviation) was created for college juniors
and seniors studying in this field. Nothing in particular is specified for Penn State students though it
may be more relevant. The individual purpose of each site varies throughout but they each share a
common theme. Every site and publication is intended to assist studying or even practicing engineers
get important information fast without having to waste time browsing the internet or library. For nonaerospace engineers some of the guide may seem irrelevant, but each provides a practical solution to
specific work related issues.
Assumptions:
A few assumptions have been made when putting this guide together. First, without direct
interest in the field of aerospace engineering this guide is useless. Next, it is assumed that the audience
of this guide will remain to be only engineers or professors who deem it relevant and helpful. Major
specific jargon and topics are covered and are not explained for pedestrian use. Entry level students may
find this guide useful, but may not comprehend the breadth of each portion of it. Other assumptions are
mostly taken for granted. Internet access and logical web browsing fall in that category, but are both
vital. A Penn State access account probably would help as well because there is a goldmine of additional
relevant information within their vaults.
Organization of Information:
For anyone with logical web browsing adequacy this guide should be smooth sailing. The table
of contents above lists the position of each site or source and their respective places within the guide.
This front matter section should clear up any possible issues with misunderstandings or complications.
Relevant websites are listed first, followed by professional and government publications with some
extraneous but pertinent sources last.
User Tips!!!!:
Start at the table of contents. If there is still confusion read through the front matter section
within the preface for applicable information on the following abstracts. Is something unclear in the
abstract? Try following the hyperlink provided and having the site up while you read through the
abstract. Otherwise read carefully through each abstract prior to extracting information from it. The
“Why use this site”? subsection will narrow down the material in need and the tips that follow after
each description should give a hint if you’re in the right place.
A.1
Aerospace Current Events
Aviation Week’s Website
URL: http://www.aviationweek.com/
Why use this site?

A weekly website, so it is updated frequently

Purely dedicated to Aerospace (aviation and space) related news and events
Abstract
This website is dedicated to all things air and space, ranging from big news in the field
to business transactions between airlines. All facets of industry are covered as well; commercial
and business aviation as well as aviation in the Department of Defense. Within each heading
there are multiple subheadings linking to articles and other media related to its respective
header. For example, under Commercial Aviation some of the subheadings are as follows,
News, Products, Blogs, and Photos. News seems to dominate the website however, with daily
updates on FAA regulation changes and industry releases. An article regarding a Finnoff PC-12
(the “world’s bestselling pressurized turbo-prop [aircraft]”) is a good example of an industry
release as it just describes the upgrades performed to make the craft more stable in cruise.
Tips for use

There are an overwhelming number of articles regarding business transactions in
industry if you dig through the masses there are some compelling pieces

The pictures on the homepage are misleading. Interesting images of planes are shown
but the articles are often irrelevant to the media displayed

Any proprietary information is omitted. Don’t expect to find any
A.2
Airfoil Database
UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group: Department of Aerospace Engineering
URL: http://aerospace.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html
Why use this site?

Vital for airplane design, this website includes over 1500 of the most popular airfoils
(2-D wing profiles)

Comprehensive data sets for analyzing these airfoils are included as well
Abstract
Listed alphabetically, over 1500 airfoils that have been tested effective (for their specific
purpose) are here with a composite picture and a data file for use with programs such as XFoil.
In addition to this database there are links to “other useful sources,” like a path for finding a
suitable airfoil for your plane, and 3-D rendering software for construction of your own plane.
Besides these offsite links, the website is dedicated purely as a semi-comprehensive database to
published and tested airfoils. The site is made up of a long single page listing. Uses of these files
vary throughout the listing. Airfoils for wind turbines, commercial jets and homemade model
airplanes can be found here. A short description of each foil’s use is stated next to each link.
Tips for use

Without knowing what airfoil you need for your specific use this website is practically
useless.

Find what type of airfoil you need prior to visiting this site. This site will give you data
necessary for analyzing but does not aid in finding what you need!
A.3
Government Published Website
Federal Aviation Administration
URL: www.faa.gov
Why use this site?

This is the website for the government organization that makes all the rules and
regulations for every aircraft in the United States and related airspaces

Any aviation or airspace law you need to find? It is on this website

Forms for everything airplanes are available here as well as hotlines for complications
Abstract
This website is the information hub for all rules, laws, regulations and guidelines for the
aerospace community. Information on everything from aircraft, to airports, to certificates, to
pilot training can be found here. Most of those things are in fact headings spanning the top of
the page. Other than the technical requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
this website consists of links to commonly visited aviation websites. This site also displays the
FAA’s twitter feed for rapid relevant news. Besides a reference guide, career opportunities are
well advertised here too, from air traffic control, to engineers and commercial aircraft
technicians.
Tips for use

Be wary that this is a US government site and consists of what they want you to see

Each heading has its own dropdown box for subject specific links

The “News & Updates” box isn’t well kept. There are articles up to Jan. 27th but there are
also some from last October
A.4
Technical Reference Guide
The Engineering Toolbox
URL: www.engineeringtoolbox.com
Why use this site?

An absolutely necessary reference website that is a one stop shop for relevant constants and
computational aids

Variety of applications and quick unit conversions

Personal testimonials from fellow aerospace engineers
Abstract
Why go to multiple sites for constant values and professionally accepted information? The
engineering toolbox is an incredible site that covers all facets of engineering not just aerospace. What it
lacks in direction it makes up for in scope, from air temperatures and densities for aerodynamics
calculations to material properties and constants for structural analysis. This site is also lacking in the
organization department. The homepage is an alphabetized list of hyperlinks that delve deeper into the
site. Each heading (hyperlink) is a section of engineering or physical science that when clicked opens
into another list of subheadings that looks strikingly similar to the homepage. Don’t fret though, useful
information is only another click away. Each subsection links directly to the reference page that is
worth the digging. This site is particularly relevant to aerospace engineers because the majority of
computations made require air or water constants that vary heavily by temperature, pressure, or other
atmospheric conditions.
Tips for use

This site may seem overwhelming. Follow logical paths to get to what you need, there are
multiple ways to get to each reference page

My go-to site for necessary constants and established values
B.1
Catalog of US Government Publications
URL homepage: http://catalog.gpo.gov/F?RN=231569122
Why use this site?

Abstract (Catalog)
Tips for use
Abstract (Publication)
Tips for use
B.2
Professional Journal
Male and Female Strength Capabilities for Operating Aircraft Controls
URL: http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA098256
Why use this publication?

Abstract
Tips for use
C.1
Statistical Abstract
The Statistical Abstract of the United States
URL: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
Why use this site?

Abstract
Tips for use
C.2
Index of Periodical Literature
aerospace (within the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)
Why use this site?

Abstract
Tips for use