Engineering Self-teaching for a specific application

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Teaching oneself the extensive knowledge required to design and build a vertical takeoff and landing electric jet is a daunting task, as it typically involves collaboration among specialists in various fields. While motivation and time are crucial, formal education in aerospace engineering is recommended to gain the necessary expertise and access to resources. Engaging with university professors and peers can provide valuable guidance and support. Additionally, starting a project-based club could facilitate collaboration and resource sharing. Pursuing formal education may ultimately be more effective for achieving this ambitious goal.
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I am a computer science undergrad (almost done, so I can't switch to engineering sadly) and I was wondering if someone from the physics/engineering community could advise me on this.

I know it sounds crazy but my question is: Is it possible/reasonable to teach oneself the physics, aeronautical, and electrical engineering knowledge required to draft a technical report for, and eventually prototype and build, a vertical takeoff and landing electric jet (along with all components)?

I want to make this my life's mission. I have 16 hours a day to study textbooks, a large amount of motivation, some money I've saved that will last me a few years (putting aside that the project itself will require massive external funding), no family and nothing to lose.

I'd love to hear your answers as people who have already acquired this type of knowledge.

Can it be done? And if so, could you kindly point me to some resources to start me off?

Many thanks.
 
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I'm not sure, but I don't think there is one person alive right now who could design a modern airplane from scratch all by himself. Designing airplanes is done is big teams in which each person has his own speciality.
 
If this is your "life's mission" wouldn't it just make more sense to take some formal classes in aerospace engineering? That might expose you to university professors with expertise in the area and other like-minded people who could help you. If one doesn't already exist, you could start up a project-based club, and this would allow you to use university resources (computer labs, software, lab space etc.) to work on all the different sub-projects.
 
I don't know if anyone on here works for any of the well known defense companies of your country, whichever country you are from?? Also, if you choose to work in one, do you think the engineering education provide from your school would adequately prepare you for the job. What do I mean by that? Well if you work at say Lockheed Martin and you work in the latest iteration of a missile or if you work at Pratt & Whitney, they assign you to work in the team helping out with building the jet...
Hello, I graduated from undergrad a few years ago with a Major in Physics and minor in Electrical Engineering. I tried to get experience working on and testing circuits through my professor who studied Neutrinos, however covid caused the opportunity to go away and I graduated with no experience or internships. I have attempted to break into the engineering industry with no success. Right now I am considering going for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and I need advice on if this would be...
So lately, my interest in the realm of optics/optoelectronics/photonics engineering has grown and I have started to seriously consider pursuing a career in the field. I have done a bit of career research and also have done some learning on the side to gather more knowledge on these topics. However, I have some questions on what a career in these fields would look like, and I wanted to find out more about this area to know what I would be getting myself into if I did make the choice to pursue...

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