Who actually designs an aircraft? An Aerodynamicist or Structural Designer? Is there a separate conceptualist?
350308
The aerodynamicist, the structural engineer, the propulsion expert, the avionics guy, the electical engineer, the materials boffin and ofcourse the accountant ALL have a say in the design of an aircraft, and quite often they will have conflicting interests. (e.g. the flight dynamics guy wants to put ailerons exactly where the propulasion guy wants to put the engine etc.) They all have to go through the design process together.\n\nYes, there is usually some conceptual work done before hand, maybe by the local company engineer who the aircraft is being built for. \n\nRead Dan Raymer's Aircraft Design book. It's good.
162422
Basically, achitectural engineers design and guide the construction of buildings, bridges, monuments, etc. to function properly, withstand natural forces, and be asthetically pleasing. Teams of engineers, architects, and support staff  work together to accomplish this task.\nThis is a lofty goal you have set for yourself. If you are detemined enough, I know you can do it. Best wishes and Go Owls!!!
885644
Aeronautics can ideally be studied after doing course in Mechanical Engineering or Physics. You may also do aeronautics after completing Civil Engineering, you need to be comfortable with Fluid mechanics to begin with.
671979
Aeronautical engineering
813245
In aircraft structural repair, reverse engineering is used all the time.\n\nSince repair centers do not have access to aircraft design stress reports, engineers must 'reverse engineer' the existing structure to determine the maximum stress loads that the original design is capable of withstanding... and/or determine the load carrying capability lost due to the damage.\n\nOnce these loads are obtained (from reverse engineering), then a repair can be designed to restore loads lost from damage.
482087
There are a wide range of jobs for the design engineer.  A design engineer may work on a particular product such as the anchor windlass for sea-going vessels.  He/she would apply the company's art and science and foundary and machine shop to supplying a specific windlass for a new class ship given the specific weight of the anchor, etc.  Another design engineer may work only with springs or fasteners to meet customer requirements.  Another design engineer may have to be completely aware of the overall design of an existing steam power plant (perhaps specializing in mechanical or electrical equipment but familiar with both) such that when a plant problem arises he/she can suggest a quick fix to get the plant safely back up.  A part of the work may require re-design as components fail or exhibit too short operating lives.  Also valves, motors and controls may have to be replaced with new updated equipment, especially if the original vendor has left the field.  The design engineer may work with the supplier's engineers to ensure specifications can be met and to evaluate low bids for adequacy.  Of course, design engineers who produced the very first manned rocket ships had many novel design problems to contend with and had to use or modify existing equipment or work with industry to design items from scratch.  An important part of design engineering is to implement all applicable safety codes and industrial codes, standards and regulations, because that is where the lessons learned from previous disasters are reflected and liability demands that previous failures must be avoided.  Hope that helps a little.
715608
Stefan, here's a forum where us aircraft structural engineering nerds hang out. You can find a lot of useful information there.\n\nhttp://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=2\n\nIf you're interested in learning more (and you have 2 weeks and a couple of grand to spend), I think the absolute best course available for understanding aircraft loads is Alteon's (a Boeing company) Aircraft Structural Repair for Engineers course.\nhttp://www.alteontraining.com/training/coursedetails.aspx?id=1932\n\nAnother good option is buying Jean-Claude Flabel's book, Practical Stress Analysis for Design Engineers, for $98.\nhttp://www.psa1.com/\nBetter yet enroll in his distance learning course - book is included - for $795\nhttp://www.psa1.com/correspondence.html\n\nPlease note: I am NOT an affiliate for either course. I have absolutely nothing to gain personally from promoting either one. I HAVE taken both these courses, and I freely endorse them.
1034375
Mechanical or material science engineering, depending on what aspect of it you want to work on.  Mechanical engineers work on the nozzles and alignment.  Material science engineers work on making the material better and cheaper.  At Washington State University a few years back, they had a team working on stereo lithography who found a way to add fibers, making the parts effectively useful as prototypes, even in assemblies under load.\n\nComputer science is probably another one since folks are always looking to improve the code and make it easier and cheaper to use.
797074
It's called civil engineering design. Most of these things are designed by the engineer as needed, based on the size of what they are putting in. Sorry, but you probably won't find any cookie cutter designs floating on the internet. Some design companies may have them internally.
991881
Beginners guide to Aerodynamics:\nhttp://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/bga.html\n\nAerodynamics on Wikipedia:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerodynamics\n\nAerodynamics in car racing:\nhttp://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Racecar/\n\nDownforce on Wikipedia:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downforce\n\nplenty more if you just stick the search terms "aerodynamics", "downforce", or "car aerodynamics" into any old internet search engine.
942353
ERNEST FREDERICK HUBER \n\nvisit this web for more information\n\nwww.modelaircraft.org/museum/bio/Huber.pdf
343762
idraw4u hit it exactly. Aviation ordenanceman second class (E-5). Not only do they load weapons on aircraft, but do the assembly, repair, storage........\n\nYoeman are important and will give the text book answer, however anyway you slice it, they play with things that go boooom!
46486
I worked for an attorney who has a degree in aerospace engineering.  He is an intellectual property attorney.  Very good one too!
432725
Sure you can switch to aeronautics from mechanical engineering. However, please consider yourself as a freshman and probably learn lots of new terms when you get there. It is tones of solid knowledge is required that your might left out such as Aerodynamic, Propulsion, System Control and Gas Dynamic. It is pretty lots to catch. I can;t advise too much as your question is too general to give u a specify answer of your interest fields or major. Keep in mind you can do it but it will be hard. Good luck
1077367
An aircraft flies due to aerodynamic reactions that happen when there is relative motion between air and a wing.\n\nIf a cross-section of a typical aircraft wing is viewed, the top of the wing can be seen to be curved downwards, while the bottom of the wing is less curved or straight, but angled to the airflow. This shape, called an airfoil or aerofoil, creates lift when it travels through the air. However, this optimisation is not applicable for aerobatic aircraft, which need to fly inverted, or for supersonic aircraft.\n\nLift is created as an airstream passes by something which deflects it. The force created by this deflection of the air creates an equal and opposite force on the wing according to Newton's third law of motion. The deflection of airflow downward during the creation of lift is known as downwash.\n\nNearly any shape will produce lift if curved or tilted with respect to the air flow direction. However, most shapes will be very inefficient and create too much drag. One of the primary goals of wing design is to devise a shape that produces the most lift while producing the least lift-induced drag.
47503
A civil engineer is the one who builds fixed physical structures, like buildings and houses, bridges, highways and roads, etc.\n\nThere a lot of good material in the links below.
410157
Wright Brothers. They actually invent aeronautical engineering. Their basic principles are still used today. Their models airfoils indicated thin wings worked. Large wings and slow air thicker gives more lift. It was about the only refinement of their work. Their propeller was designed from the principles of airfoil as well and the curves are the ones still used today.\nThey rewrote the erroneous lifting tables of Lillinathall, Bell, others. Amazing really.