GATE Syllabus for Aerospace Engineering (AE)

Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra:

Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigen values and eigen vectors.

• Calculus:

Functions of single variable, limit, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorems,

evaluation of definite and improper integrals, partial derivatives, total derivative, maxima

and minima, gradient, divergence and curl, vector identities, directional derivatives, line,

surface and volume integrals. Theorems of Stokes, Gauss and Green.

• Differential Calculus:

First order linear and nonlinear equations, higher order linear ODEs with constant

coefficients, Cauchy and Euler equations, initial and boundary value problems, Laplace

transforms. Partial differential equations and separation of variables methods.

• Numerical methods:

Numerical solution of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, integration by

trapezoidal and Simpson rule, single and multi-step methods for differential equations.

Flight Mechanics

• Atmosphere:

Properties, standard atmosphere. Classification of aircraft. Airplane (fixed wing aircraft)

configuration and various parts.

• Airplane performance:

Pressure altitude; equivalent, calibrated, indicated air speeds; Primary flight

instruments: Altimeter, ASI, VSI, Turn-bank indicator. Drag polar; take off and landing;

steady climb & descent,-absolute and service ceiling; cruise, cruise climb, endurance or

loiter; load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram; Winds: head, tail & cross winds.

• Static stability:

Angle of attack, sideslip; roll, pitch & yaw controls; longitudinal stick fixed & free stability,

horizontal tail position and size; directional stability, vertical tail position and size;

dihedral stability. Wing dihedral, sweep & position; hinge moments, stick forces.

• Dynamic stability:

Euler angles; Equations of motion; aerodynamic forces and moments, stability & control

derivatives; decoupling of longitudinal and lat-directional dynamics; longitudinal modes;

lateral-directional modes.

Space Dynamics

Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases. Orbit

transfer, in-plane and out-of-plane. Elements of rocket motor performance.

Aerodynamics

• Basic Fluid Mechanics:

Incompressible irrotational flow, Helmholtz and Kelvin theorem, singularities and

superposition, viscous flows, boundary layer on a flat plate.

• Airfoils and wings:

Classification of airfoils, aerodynamic characteristics, high lift devices, Kutta Joukowski

theorem; lift generation; thin airfoil theory; wing theory; induced drag; qualitative

treatment of low aspect ratio wings.

• Viscous Flows:

Flow separation, introduction to turbulence, transition, structure of a turbulent boundary

layer.

• Compressible Flows:

Dynamics and Thermodynamics of I-D flow, isentropic flow, normal shock, oblique

shock, Prandtl-Meyer flow, flow in nozzles and diffusers, inviscid flow in a c-d nozzle,

flow in diffusers. subsonic and supersonic airfoils, compressibility effects on lift and

drag, critical and drag divergence Mach number, wave drag.

• Wind Tunnel Testing:

Measurement and visualisation techniques.

Structures

• Stress and Strain:

Equations of equilibrium, constitutive law, strain-displacement relationship, compatibility

equations, plane stress and strain, Airy's stress function.

• Flight Vehicle Structures:

Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials, torsion, bending and flexural shear.

Flexural shear flow in thin-walled sections. Buckling. Failure theories. Loads on aircraft.

• Structural Dynamics:

Free and forced vibration of discrete systems. Damping and resonance. Dynamics of

continuous systems.

• Propulsion

Thermodynamics of Aircraft Gas Turbine engines, thrust and thrust augmentation.

• Turbomachinery:

Axial compressors and turbines, centrifugal pumps and compressors.

• Aerothermodynamics of non rotating propulsion components:

Intakes, combustor and nozzle. Thermodynamics of ramjets and scramjets. Elements of

rocket propulsion.