The objectives of the CRCD initiative for the senior level aeroelasticity course are to: examine the interdependence of engineering disciplines such as aerodynamics, structures, and controls; examine the contributions of design concepts that employ "intelligent systems" such as distributed controllers, active materials, and flow control; and illustrate behaviors via benchmark experiments.

Typical student activities include static and dynamic behavior analysis, aerodynamic-structurally coupled systems analysis, analysis of forced response from control systems equilibrium vs. stability concepts, consistent measurement taking, as well as validation and verification of data.