A range of subject areas specific to aeronautical systems will be covered. These will include helicopter flight, controls and aerodynamics, and we will also look at the Airbus flight control system, the computers used, envelope protection modes, and look at some key crashes and incidents caused by pilot – flight deck automation. We will look at aircraft hydraulic systems and flight controls, as well as comparing major systems such as electrical, hydraulic, fuel, flight control, bleed pressurisation and ECS, and autopilot systems. The Flight Management Computer will be looked at, including online flight planning and FMC performance, route, departure, arrival and LNAV and VNAV systems. Navigation procedures will be looked at, including NDB, VOR, DME, ILS and RNAV. 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 conclude by looking at the key design features and compromises of a military training jet aircraft.

This module will enable students to gain understanding, apply knowledge, analyse and evaluate problems and create solutions through a variety of activities, including lectures, simulator sessions, tutorials laboratories and independent study.

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

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

Brandt, S. A., (2015) Introduction to Aeronautics 3rd Ed. AIAA Education

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

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

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

Rolls Royce, (2015) The Jet Engine Wiley Blackwell

Seddon, J. M., (2011) Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics Wiley-Blackwell

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

• Flight simulator for covering aspects of flying characteristics, flight procedures, propulsion system management and aircraft design.
• Wind tunnel and other engineering / fluid laboratories
• Classroom with computer projection facilities
• Visits to RAF Cosford Museum, RAF Cosford MoD Engineering Training Centre
• A visit to a professional flight simulator with the opportunity to pay to fly

1. Undertake a detailed analysis of helicopter aerodynamics and control systems. (AHEP 3: SM1b, P4, G1)

2. Describe the differences between subsonic and supersonic mechanisms of lift and drag and the influence of supersonic shock waves on airflow and apply these differences to the design of aerofoils and engine intakes (AHEP 3: SM1b, P4, G1)

3. Demonstrate detailed in-depth understanding of the major systems on a B767 and A330 aircraft and compare and contrast the different manufacturer design decisions leading to the systems being implemented in the way that they are. (AHEP 3: SM3b, D2,P4, G1)

4. Apply 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. (AHEP 3: SM3b, D2, EL1, EL5, P4, G1)

One 3000 word technical report, involving research, analysis, reflection and assimilation, covering key aspects of the module. Part of the assignment will be to critically appraise an aspect of an aircraft component or system, the other part will be to identify and make recommendations to prevent the future causes and human factors related to a pilot / aircraft interface related aircrash (LO 1, 2, 3, 4) Meeting AHEP 3 Outcomes SM1b, SM3b, D2, EL1, EL5, P4, G1.

Formative guidance and feedback will be provided in tutorial sessions within the class and tutor response to non-assessed tasks throughout the module.