A range of subject areas specific to aeronautical systems will be covered. Innovative aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 will be referred to, and A320, B737 and Concorde systems will be referred to in detail throughout with use of the simulator to demonstrate these. The module will look at initial concepts around systems, propulsion, aerodynamics, aircraft structures, aircraft maintenance procedures and human factors. These systems-based studies will introduce students to the complexity of modern aircraft enabling them to take their studies further in specialist modules during the course.

Students will also begin to be prepared their future careers in the Aviation industry; investigating and identifying potential career paths and understanding their own current position and place in society in relation to their aspirations.

Module content will include primary and secondary flying controls, the design and operation of aircraft instruments, from pressure-driven to the complex displays in modern glass cockpit airliners, and the different types of measured airspeed and altimeter pressure settings.

An introduction to aircraft propulsion systems will be given, including IC engines, gas turbine engines and electrical propulsion systems, to give you an understanding of this essential component of an aircraft.

Human factors will be introduced, with specific details on human physiology and an understanding of human error, introducing methodologies such as the dirty-dozen and the Swiss-cheese model as well as Crew Resource Management.

A number of significant air crashes and incidents will be reviewed forensically, to enable you to gain a detailed understanding of what went wrong, how and why it happened, and what was done to prevent future incidents. The impact of many of these on future aircraft design and operation will also be explored. This will be undertaken from both an engineering and a human factors perspective.

Element 1: Assignment (1500 words) covering all learning outcomes (AHEP3: SM1b, EA2, G2)
Element 2: Assignment (1500 words) covering all learning outcomes (AHEP3: SM1b, EA2, G2)

This module will enable students to gain understanding, apply knowledge analyse and evaluate problems and create solutions through a variety of activities, including:
- Taught Lectures
- Tutorials
- Student centred learning to included laboratory work, research and example questions and problems.

1. Demonstrate a detailed comprehension of aircraft features and their operation and practical use, including primary and secondary flying controls and aircraft instruments. (AHEP3: SM1b, EA2). Knowledge and Understanding, Learning

2. Appraise modern aircraft design, noting differences and similarities between design philosophies. (AHEP3: SM1b, EA2). Enquiry, Knowledge and Understanding

3. Apply techniques and knowledge relevant to aeronautical engineering to analyse and evaluate problems (AHEP3: EA2, G2). Analysis, Reflection

4. Analyse human factors as applied to aviation, in particular to the interface between pilots and advanced automated aircraft, reflect on the processes involved when the interface is imperfect and on the causes of air crashes due to the same. (AHEP3: EA2). Knowledge and Understanding, Communication

5. Demonstrate development of key personal skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking and identify potential career paths, based on the general and specific skills required for a career within Aviation industry. (AHEP3: G2). Communication, Analysis, Reflection

Practical Laboratory Facilities, Engineering Software and PCs, Flight simulator

Anderson, J. D., (2005) Introduction to Flight 5th Ed. McGrawHill

Anderson, L. E. and Bolt, S. B., (2016) Professionalism: Skills for workplace. Pearson

Barnard, R. H. and Philpott, D. R., (2010) Aircraft Flight, Prentice Hall

Fielding, J. P., (2017) Introduction to Aircraft Design CUP

Jenkinson, L. R. and Marchman, J. F., (2003) Aircraft Design Projects Butterworth Heineman

Kermode, A. C., Barnard, R. H. and Philpott, D. R., (2012) Mechanics of Flight 12th Ed. Pearson

Kroes Watkins Delp, (1993) Aircraft Maintenance and Repair McGraw Hill

Robson, D., (2002) Avionics and Flight Management for the Professional Pilot Airlife Pub.

Robson, D., (2002) Aerodynamics, Engines and Systems for the Professional Pilot Airlife Pub.

Rolls Royce, (2015) The Jet Engine Wiley Blackwell

Smale, B. and Fowlie, J., (2015) How to succeed at University: An essential guide to academic skills, personal development and employability SAGE Publications

Wilkinson, R., (2009) Aircraft Structures and Systems, Mechaero Pub

A range of subject areas specific to aeronautical systems will be covered. Innovative aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 will be referred to, and A320, B737 and Concorde systems will be referred to in detail throughout with use of the simulator to demonstrate these. The module will look at initial concepts around systems, propulsion, aerodynamics, aircraft structures, aircraft maintenance procedures and human factors. These systems-based studies will introduce students to the complexity of modern aircraft enabling them to take their studies further in specialist modules during the course. Students will also begin to be prepared their future careers in the Aviation industry; investigating and identifying potential career paths and understanding their own current position and place in society in relation to their aspirations.