The San Diego Air & Space Museum is offering three introductory courses in aerospace fields for students between 15-18 years old. Each course will provide foundational workforce training in STEM concepts and aeronautics. All classes will be held at the Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex at 335 Kenney Street, El Cajon, CA 92020.

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Aerospace Engineering,  ( August 9 - September 13, Saturdays Only)

Ready to take off into the world of aerospace? This dynamic course is your gateway to exploring the exciting principles of flight, aerodynamic forces, and the magic of stability and control—all presented in a simple, easy-to-understand way with minimal math.

Students participate in a hands-on activity building model airplanes while focusing on the concepts of aircraft design, construction, and flight.

By the end of this six-session journey, you’ll not only have a solid grasp of key physics concepts at the heart of aerospace but also the confidence to think like an engineer. Each two-hour session builds on the last, guiding you from understanding air and airflow to the thrill of supersonic speeds and unmanned systems.

Course Flight Plan:
✈️ Session 1: Air, Airflow, Airfoils
✈️ Session 2: Deep Dive into Airfoils
✈️ Session 3: Power Up with Propulsion
✈️ Session 4: Takeoff, Level Flight, and Landing
✈️ Session 5: The Art of Gliding and Soaring
✈️ Session 6: Explore Transonic, Supersonic, and Unmanned Systems

Class Specs:
✈️ Minimum 10, Maximum 25 Students
✈️ Perfect for aspiring engineers and anyone who dreams of flying high!

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Aircraft Fabrication: Engine Mechanics, ( August 16 - September 20, Saturdays Only)

Ages: 14–20

Duration: 6 Sessions, Saturdays, 2 Hours Each

Proposed Time: 11:30 – 1:30

Proposed Start Date: August 16

Course Description:

Take a deep dive into the inner workings of flight! This immersive, hands-on course introduces students to the fascinating world of aircraft engine mechanics, combining aviation history with practical skills. Over six sessions, participants will explore the evolution of engine design—from early radial and inline engines to rotary and modern piston engines—while learning the science and innovation that powered aviation through the decades.

Students will then shift from theory to practice, working as a team to disassemble, clean, inspect, and reassemble an actual aircraft engine. Guided by experienced instructors, they’ll gain insight into mechanical systems, precision tools, and maintenance techniques used in aviation today.

Whether you’re a future pilot, engineer, or aviation enthusiast, this course offers a unique opportunity to get your hands dirty and your mind inspired.

Topics Covered:

• The evolution of aircraft engines: radial, rotary, inline, and more
• Basic engine anatomy and mechanical principles
• Safety and tool handling procedures
• Engine disassembly and cleaning
• Component identification and inspection
• Engine reassembly and functional overview

No prior experience required. Just bring curiosity and a willingness to learn.

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We look forward to helping you take flight this summer!

Enrollment Fees:

Aerospace Engineering, $150 for six sessions (25 student limit)

Airframe Design and Fabrication, $150 for six sessions (20 student limit)

Scholarships are available for need-based participants. For more information, contact Katrina Pescador at kpescador@sdasm.org.

About the Instructors

Madhukar (Maud) Rao is a retired Chemical Engineer and currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Workforce Development at Innovation Impact Partners, LLC. He has more than 36 years of industrial R&D experience with major chemical and semiconductor materials companies, where he held senior positions in R&D management. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Materials Science from The Pennsylvania State University, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The New Jersey Institute of Technology. 

For the past 2 ½ years, Maud has been a docent at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. He serves on the museum’s Scholarship Committee and is a training coordinator for new docents. He enjoys engineering, history, and teaching, so being a docent at the museum is a perfect fit. He has extensive experience in preparing and giving talks on aviation and space history for the museum and is part of the museum’s Speakers Bureau.  He also leads tours in the museum with interested visitors every Monday, and Wednesday. He and his wife Linda live in Carlsbad.

Phillip Burgers is a retired aerodynamicist, with 35 years of experience in unmanned aircraft, having worked for Teledyne Ryan and General Atomics in San Diego. Holding a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, he has branched out to designing fans and blowers (for Comair Rotron) and golf balls (a 322-dimple ball by TaylorMade). He writes peer-reviewed papers on a novel aerodynamic equation of state applicable to aircraft, extant birds, and the aerodynamic evolution of extinct flyers (i.e., Archaeopteryx). He has been a docent since Feb 2024. He leads tours in the museum with interested visitors every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, highlighting the history and technology of its numerous and notable artifacts.

Phillip John Lavullis is a seasoned Aircraft Sheet Metal Instructor with over two decades of expertise in structural fabrication, repair, and maintenance of military aircraft. Specializing in structural integrity, corrosion control, and airframe modifications, he has worked extensively on aircraft including the H-60 Seahawk, H-53 Super Stallion, E-2 Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, F/A-18 Hornet & Super Hornet, H-46 Sea Knight, UH-1 Huey, and AH-1 Cobra.

Phillip has led structural teams in depot-level maintenance, in-service repairs, and aircraft rework under the Integrated Maintenance Concept (IMC) and In-Service Repair (ISR) programs. He collaborates closely with engineering, production control, and quality assurance teams to uphold the highest safety and operational standards. His expertise was recognized in Aviation History’s Winter 2023 Issue for his contributions to the USS Midway Museum’s Cutlass restoration.

Phillip holds certifications in OSHA safety regulations, hazardous material handling, PPE compliance, and aircraft fuel tank safety, along with CPR certification and extensive experience in workplace safety, FOD prevention, and compliance with EPA, NFPA, and DoD aviation maintenance standards.

As an instructor, Phillip is dedicated to training the next generation of aircraft sheet metal mechanics, emphasizing technical precision, safety, and efficiency. He provides hands-on instruction in blueprint interpretation, non-destructive inspection, corrosion control, and structural fabrication. Renowned for his leadership, technical acumen, and mentorship, Phillip remains committed to advancing aviation maintenance excellence and preparing future professionals for military and civilian aerospace careers.