Flight Mechanics and Control

Flight Mechanics and Control is a fundamental discipline within aerospace engineering that examines how an aircraft moves through the air and how that movement is deliberately managed. It integrates the study of aerodynamics, propulsion, and gravitational forces to analyze and predict an aircraft's performance, stability, and trajectory, which constitutes the "mechanics" aspect. Building upon this understanding, the "control" aspect focuses on the design and implementation of systems—from manual pilot inputs to complex autopilots—that use control surfaces and engine adjustments to guide the vehicle, stabilize its flight, and execute specific maneuvers.