Abstract: The aircraft structure design is the core course for students majoring in the aircraft design and engineering, and plays an important role in the training of the aircraft structure design talents. Based on the division of the technical levels of the aircraft structure design, the present and future technical level of the aircraft structure design in China is analyzed, four basic qualities of the aircraft structure design engineers are summarized, and the new teaching goals of the aircraft structure design course are put forward. According to the new teaching goals, the corresponding teaching methods are formulated, along with the teaching practice. It is shown that, by using a variety of teaching methods in the teaching process, the students' basic qualities can be improved, as well as the student's ability in the structural design.