Hello,I'm in my last year of Secondary School and I have to write a thesis for Maths! I would like to have a subject related to aviation.Any ideas? Thanks!!!!Ciao,Alexander

If you know trig and geometry you could write about how a VNAV system calculates the path...

VNAV is a good suggestion.But if you want something even more basic and of historical significance you could show derivation of a very famous range formula first published by Frenchman Louis Charles Breguet in the beginning of last century and hence known as the Breguet's equation. It beautifullyties together a few simple parameters - aircraft range, specific fuel consumption, engine power/thrust, propeller efficiency and aircraft weights.It answers basic question - how far aircraft can fly.I recommend this simple mathematical treatment of Breguet's equation (knowledge of integration is necessary):http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/15EA4AD4-3...uetnoteseps.pdfIf your calculus is more advanced there is of course this: http://mail.vssd.nl/hlf/ae02ch15.pdf

Breguet is a nice idea. For another suggestion, if you want to avoid calculus, there are nice geometric problems in aviation, too. You could discuss various mapping methods for example - how to project the spherical geometry of the earth on more or less cartesian maps. Navigating great circle routes on the north atlantic crossings comes to mind here. Or, while we are at geometry - why not go back to the very early days of aviation. The old DC-3s had translucent domes on the top, from where the navigator could get his bearings from the stars. This ties back into most ancient navigation methods that started to be developed by the earliest seafaring nations. A nice tie-in between maths, physics and history. Just pick whatever you like best, and best of luck with your thesis!