This module covers the physical and mathematical fundamentals of aircraft flight dynamics – looking at the basic concepts of aircraft performance and making use of mathematical tools to aid in the prediction. Analysis of the control and dynamic behaviour of aircraft due to control inputs and atmospheric conditions is conducted.

Provisional Syllabus

1. Basic terms for aeronautical vehicles and components (recap)
2. Introduction to aircraft performance in steady level flight, primary and secondary effect of controls and control surfaces on roll, pitch and yaw.
3. Recap on balance of forces, with attention to aeronautical requirements, thrust-drag and lift-weight couples, relationship between Centre of Gravity and Centre of Lift for aircraft stability. Movement of CoG and CoL in flight.
4. Gliding performance
5. Range and endurance calculations
6. Manoeuvre performance. Effect of steep turns.
7. Origin of symmetric forces and moments
8. Accelerated flight including take-off, flying in a circle, accelerated climb, landing performance
9. Longitudinal, directional and roll static stability and control
10. Aircraft equations of motion
11. Stick fixed longitudinal and lateral motion
12. Aircraft response to control or atmospheric inputs, phugoid damping and pitch stability. The effect of dihedral on roll stability.
13. Aeroelasticity and aircraft structural considerations.

Element 1: Exam (1 hour) of weighting 30% covering learning outcomes 1 and 2 (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA2, EA3b, P4, P8)
Element 2: Exam (1 hour) of weighting 30% covering learning outcomes 2 and 3 (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA2, EA3b, P4, P8)
Element 3: Assignment (1500 words) of weighting 40% covering learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA2, EA3b, P4, P8)

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. Apply the concepts of aeronautical performance using mathematical tools (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, P4). Learning, Knowledge and Understanding

2. Solve a diverse range of problems in the fields of flight vehicle motion and stability (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA2, EA3b, P4, P8). Problem Solving, Application

3. Analyse the control and dynamic behaviour of aircraft subjected to control inputs or atmospheric conditions (AHEP3: SM1b, SM2b, Ea1b, EA2, EA3b, P8). Analysis

Practical Laboratory Facilities, Engineering Software and PCs

Cook, M. (2012); Flight Dynamics Principles: A Linear Systems Approach to Aircraft Stability and Control (3rd Edition), Butterworth-Heinemann

Durham, W. (2013); Aircraft Flight Dynamics and Control, Wiley

Mc Cornick. W., (1979) Aerodynamics, Aeronautics and Flight Mechanics, John Wiley

Nelson, R.C. (2004) Flight Stability and Automatic Control, McGraw-Hill

Perkins, C.D., and Hage, R.E., (1988) Airplane Performance stability and Control, John Wiley

Schmidt, D. K. (2011); Modern Flight Dynamics. McGraw Hill

Stengel, R. F. (2022); Flight Dynamics (2nd Edition), Princeton University Press.

Torenbeek, E. and Wittenberg, H. (2014); Flight Physics: Essentials of Aeronautical Disciplines and Technology, with Historical Notes, Springer

Yechout, T. R. (2014); Introduction to Aircraft Flight Mechanics: Performance, Static Stability, Dynamic Stability, Feedback Control and State-Space Foundations (2nd Edition), AIAA

Yedavalli, R. K. (2019); Flight Dynamics and Control of Aero and Space Vehicles. Wiley

This module covers the physical and mathematical fundamentals of aircraft flight dynamics – looking at the basic concepts of aircraft performance and making use of mathematical tools to aid in the prediction. Analysis of the control and dynamic behaviour of aircraft due to control inputs and atmospheric conditions is conducted.