A range of subject areas specific to aeronautical technology will be covered. Innovative aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 will be studied in detail. Major areas covered include the following: Aircraft instruments (pressure operated and gyroscopic). Aircraft primary (ailerons, elevators, rudder) and secondary (trim systems, wing flap and slat systems, speed brakes) flying controls. Basic mechanisms of subsonic lift and drag. Propulsion systems (IC engine + variable / constant speed propeller, turbo prop engines). Gas turbine engines (basics of operation, types of compressor, types of combustion chamber, turbine, afterburner, low v. high bypass, engine gearbox and ancillaries, starting of engine, thrust reversal, use in turbo-prop and helicopter applications). Basic navigation systems (Global Positioning Systems, Non Directional Beacon, VOR beacon, Instrument Landing System). Air traffic control (Eurocontrol, slot allocation, radar and procedural control, future changes). Review of air accidents due to a variety of causes (with an emphasis on design faults). Basic rocket propulsion systems (solid, liquid, and hypergolic fuels, pulse-wave detonation engines, ramjet engines).

Aircraft flight deck and passenger cabin design considerations. Human Factors and the physiological needs of the body (pressurised air, temperature and humidity ranges) and psychological processes (short medium and long-term memory, cognition, perception, error handling).

This module will introduce basic aerodynamic shapes that are generally studied alone: aerofoils and wings are among the most well-known. Other components are only used as add-ons to promote specific aerodynamic performances, for example slots, dams, spoilers, fairings. These will be introduced along with basic fluid flow theory.

A series of questions to be answered covering specific aircraft features and design, requiring detailed investigation and answers, plus investigation and research into a specific aircraft component or system (maximum 3000 words). (LO 1,2, & 4) weighted at 50%.

An assignment (maximum 3000 words) as the final assessment to demonstrate an understanding of subsonic lift and drag (LO 3) weighted at 50%.

Distance Learning using the Blackboard VLE. Use of libraries and on-line research. Learning will be supported by student centred tasks to build towards the final specification project. Links to on-line video and student research will support the materials on Blackboard VLE.

RH Barnard and DR Philpott (2010). Aircraft Flight. Prentice Hall.
Trevor Thom (2009). The Air Pilot's Manual - Technical Vol 4 . London: Air Pilot Publishing
Robson, D (2008). Aerodynamics, Engines and Systems. London: Crowood Press
Anderson, JD (2006). Fundamentals of Aerodynamics. London: McGraw Hill.
Anderson, JD (2004). Introduction to Flight. London: McGraw Hill.

Blackboard VLE
Library facilities
CFD Software

1) Demonstrate an understanding of aircraft features and their operation and design, such as primary and secondary flying controls and aircraft instruments. (Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry).
2) Demonstrate an understanding of the design, construction and operation of gas turbine engines. (Learning, Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry).
3) Demonstrate a detailed understanding of subsonic aircraft aerodynamics and mechanisms of lift and drag including the use of CFD packages. (Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry, Analysis).
4) Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of several aircraft accidents and incidents caused by design-related failure, and be able to understand the associated human-factors failures. (Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry).