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academics: Undergraduate

Aeronautical Engineering Technology (AET) Information

The Aeronautical Engineering Technology program is an academically-oriented program leading towards a bachelor of science degree in aviation technology. Technical courses consist of both classroom and laboratory instruction. Course content during the first two years includes fundamentals of aircraft science, electrical systems, and aircraft materials, and production processes. The construction, repair, and airworthiness inspection of conventional metal and composite structure aircraft is covered during the third and fourth years as well as the design, operation, and overhaul of piston and gas turbine engines. An associate of science degree is available after successful completion of the first two years of the plan of study.

Courses such as algebra and trigonometry, economics, calculus, computer graphics, and English composition are required for the AS degree. During the third and fourth years the student will take courses in communication, statistics, and management to supplement his/her aviation courses.

Included in the Aeronautical Engineering Technology program are a number of courses approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as satisfying the requirements of a aviation maintenance technician school. Upon completion of these courses, the student is eligible to take the comprehensive written, oral, and practical examinations for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certificates. These certificates are recognized throughout the aviation industry as evidence that the holder has acquired a high level of technical knowledge and skill. In addition, the certificates are required for those having the need to perform aircraft maintenance.

Required AET Tool List

Aeronautical Engineering Technology

2008-2009 Student Personal Lab Equipment List

Welcome to Aeronautical Engineering Technology! You are entering a program you should find exciting and challenging. During your stay with us, you will have to supply some personal laboratory equipment to perform projects in many of your laboratory classes. This information package will try to answer many of your questions about this equipment.

Question: When do I have to buy my personal lab equipment?

Answer: All incoming students, whether freshman, transfer, or CODO, need to have lab equipment during their first semester in the program. You need to purchase minimum equipment set before the semester begins. There is a recommended upgrade equipment package available now or at any time while you are a student in our program. The upgrade package consists of additional equipment that is very useful now and into your career but is not required.

Question: Why do I have to buy laboratory equipment in a Technology program?

Answer: No matter how advanced a program is, you have to learn the basics first. In Aeronautical Engineering Technology, we pride ourselves on providing you with a learning experience preparing you to have career opportunities in many areas. Our graduates become mechanics, technicians, managers, and engineers. In all those areas, you have to understand how aircraft work, in order to either directly perform the task yourself, to lead or direct others, or in the design of technical tasks. To do that, you have to work on the aircraft; take it apart, studying its’ component’s and operation. For that reason, we require that a minimal package of tools and equipment be part of your educational materials just as textbooks are. You use these in almost every Aeronautical Engineering Technology class. In fact, by the time you graduate, your investment actually costs less per class than the average textbook.

Question: What do I need?

Answer: The equipment you need for the program is detailed in the departments Personal Equipment List, attached to this document. This list details what you need to have for your coursework in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. Some equipment has special requirements, such as 12-point sockets, which need to be adhered to. PLEASE NOTE, the small hand tools you purchase must be, at minimum, of Sears Craftsman quality or better. Poor quality tools function inadequately and can damage the equipment they are being used on.

Question: Where do I get these tools for my equipment set?

Answer: After you review the list, you may find you already have some or all of the required tools. However if you need to purchase tools you can purchase them from any source as long as the minimum quality standard (see above) is met. The Aviation Technology Department does not recommend any particular tool company over any other; however, there are several vendors who have put together packages meeting our requirements. Information detailing these packages is available from Brad Peters or Rose Bolyard, the Aviation Technology counselors.

When selecting a source for laboratory equipment, please consider the following items about the vendor:

Does the equipment have a lifetime warranty? That is, if you break the tool, will it be replaced at no charge?

When you graduate from Purdue, can you obtain service or locate a representative of the tool manufacturer conveniently? Tool companies that are national or global in scope allow you to obtain additional tools, have broken tools replaced, or answer questions.

Question: How much will they cost?

Answer: If you have to purchase all the tools, expect them to cost an average of $900 - $1000 depending on vendor. Tools vary in price with their level of quality and by manufacturer. In addition, quality tools are an investment that pays off for many years to come. If you are receiving financial aid, required equipment is usually an eligible expense

Question: When should I bring my equipment to class?

Answer: As you begin your first semester with us, your instructor will provide information about use and storage at your first class meeting.

PLEASE NOTE: Failure to have your equipment available at the start of the semester often results in a grade penalty. Many courses have laboratory projects requiring tool usage immediately. Students who must wait for equipment to arrive due to late ordering fall behind in class and have a difficult time completing projects.

Question: Where do I keep my equipment?

Answer: Storage areas are provided in the Aviation Technology buildings. You need to supply a padlock to secure your equipment. You may also bring them with you from home each day. We suggest that you have a box or bag only large enough to hold your set. Portability is important since you will have laboratory activities in several buildings.

Question: How do I protect my investment?

Answer: In the remote event that your equipment is lost or stolen, the Aviation Technology Department in not responsible in case of loss. Please check that your parents or your own property insurance includes coverage of your equipment. Generally it does. Also check that your insurance is “replacement cost”. Mark your equipment in some fashion to make it easily identifiable.

Question: What if I need additional information or still have questions?

Answer: For more information contact:

Brad Peters, Academic Advisor

765-494-9967 petersbm@purdue.edu

Rose Bolyard, Academic Advisor

765-494-6137 delongbo@purdue.edu

2008-2009 Aeronautical Engineering Technology

Required Personal Equipment List

All tools noted below need to be of Craftsman quality or better. Make sure that specific requirements 12-point sockets, etc., are adhered to. Courses requiring these tools often have special reasons for using a specific type of tool.

Personal Equipment List

Goggles, Chemical, must fit over glasses, provide anti fogging

Hearing protector, ear muff style, ANSI S3.19-1974 approved

Respirator, paint: vapor and particulate

Safety glasses

Adjustable wrench 12"

Adjustable wrench set 8"

Caliper, 6", vernier scale 0 to 6" by .001", stainless steel

Flashlight, Standard or Mini-mag

Gage, Feeler set, .0015 to .035, 32 brass blades

Hammer, ball peen, 16 oz.

Hammer, plastic tip, 12 oz.

Hex key set, ball end, .050, through 3/8"

Inspection mirror, telescoping & hinged

Pickup tool, telescopic magnetic

Plier, Arc Joint

Plier, Diagonal

Plier, Needle nose

Plier, Slip Joint

Punch, 6" brass

Punch, Alignment 5/32

Punch, Center, 3/8"x 4.5"

Punch, Pin 1/16

Punch, Pin 3/32

Punch, Pin 3/8

Punch, Pin 5/32

Rule, 6" steel

Screwdriver, Phillips, #1 x 3

Screwdriver, Phillips, #2 x 4

Screwdriver, Phillips, #3 x 6

Screwdriver, Phillips, #0 x 2.5

Screwdriver, standard, 1/8 x 2

Screwdriver, standard, 1/4 x 6

Screwdriver, standard, 1/8 x 4

Screwdriver, standard, 3/16 x 4

Tool box or tool bag ***

Wrench, Combination 1/4 - 1"

Wrench, Ignition, 5/32 - 7/16

*** Tool box size limitations: 23" long x 11" wide x 12" high

Socket set, 1/4 Drive, Containing:

Universal joint

Ratchet

6 pt. Deep well sockets 3/16 - 1/2

12 pt. Shallow sockets 3/16 - 9/16

Spinner handle 6"

Extension bar, 1/4 dr. 1.5 inches

Extension bar, 1/4 dr. 3 inches

Extension bar, 1/4 dr. 6 inches

Socket set, 3/8 Drive, Containing:

Universal joint

Ratchet

6 pt. Deep well sockets 3/8 - 3/4, 7/8

12 pt. Shallow sockets 3/8 - 1

Extension bar, 3/8 dr. 1.5 inches

Extension bar, 3/8 dr. 3 inches

Extension bar, 3/8 dr. 6 inches

Extension bar, 3/8 dr. 10 - 12 inches

Socket adapter 3/8 to 1/4

Socket adapter 1/4 to 38

Socket adapter 3/8 to 1/2

Socket adapter 1/2 to 3/8

Upgrade Package - Recommended but not required

Micrometer, 1", reads to .001

Punch, automatic center

Ratcheting screwdriver set with driver bits for, hex, slotted bit, Phillips, Torx

Hex adapter 1/4 hex to 1/4 or 3/8 square

File - Rasp 8", with handle

File - Taper 7", with handle

File - Mill 8", with handle

File - Round 8", with handle

File - Half round 8", with handle

File - needle, round

File - needle, half round

File - needle, three square

File - needle, lat

File - needle, knife

Screw starter - Standard

Screw starter - Phillips

Chisel set - 3 piece

File Card

Mirror - 1 inch

Mirror - 2 inch

Scribe - straight + 90 degree

Equipment Storage

We suggest a small toolbox or bag to store and transport your tools. A soft-sided canvas bag is ideal since it can be easily carried, fits into a backpack, and does not damage any of the aircraft you work with. The maximum toolbox size allowed is: 23 inches long x 11 inches wide x 12 inches high. It is recommended that you keep your box as small as possible. Many students store their equipment in a box and use a small kit bag to take only those tools required for a lab with them.

NOTE: Roll-Around tool chests are no longer allowed. Students may purchase larger boxes from the various tool vendors offering educational programs in the Department, but must store them away from the Aviation Technology building.

Additional Information

The Aviation Technology department provides storage areas for student equipment. However, you need to provide your own padlock.

It is important to make sure your equipment is insured. Check that your equipment is covered under your renters, parent’s homeowners, or other type of personal property coverage. Be sure you have “replacement cost” coverage.

The required list is the minimum all students in AET must have. You are free to bring or purchase additional tools and equipment beyond the requirements, if you so desire.

The Personal Equipment set is available from LH Industrial Supplies, Snap-On, and MATCO tools. They all have packages allowing you to purchase additional tools while you are a student and/or the Upgrade Package. The vendors representing our area are:

Professional Technician Supply - 877-646-6380 - www.myPTSupply.com

Snap-on Industrial
Richard Wakefield, Account Manager, cell/ 317-403-9289, richard.d.wakefield@snapon.com

You need to have your equipment in hand at the start of your first semester in the AET program.

Lab kits will be sold the first week of school only. Please be prepared to purchase those. Courses that require lab kits are:

Course number and Title

AT 105 – Basic Aircraft Electrical Theory

AT 108 – Aircraft Materials

AT 207 – Introduction to Aircraft Systems

AT 208 - Aircraft Materials II

AT 263 – Fluid Power Systems

AT 265 – Aircraft Electrical Systems

AT 267 - Fixed and Rotary Wing Assemblies

AT 272 – Introduction to Composite Technology

AT 308 – Aircraft Materials Processes

AT 445 – Aircraft Electronics

Purdue University

College of Technology

Aviation Technology