The 737 Airport Planning document has a landing gear loading envelope, so as to accurately determine percent weight on the mains. At a typical empty weight in the hangar around 91 - 92% of weight is on the mains, depending on CG location.
I realize that doesn't solve your Challenger problem...
If you're serious, do all you can to work toward a B.S. degree. Don't limit yourself to whatever the GI bill will pay out. Good employers will usually offer tuition reimbursement, which is what I'm doing.
I earned a B.A. degree in 1986. After many years working in flight operations, I...
I have never seen the refraction myself but have looked for it several times. The shock forms when the wing reaches critical mach (airflow over the wing becomes transonic). I've seen it on video from Boeing flight test engineers but I guess the light has to be just right (?).
It's not a design field, but there's good work to be had at the airlines. I "back doored" my way into flight operations and performance engineering by work experience, and am chipping away at an AE degree now.
Flight Ops engineering is really interesting since you're concerned with...
