1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of helicopter aerodynamics and control systems.
2 Understand and apply human factors as applied to aviation, and the design of the aircraft / human interface.
3 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the influence of supersonic shock waves on airflow and apply these differences to the design of engine intakes, and supersonic engine exhaust and nozzle systems.
4 Demonstrate a critical understanding of mass and balance considerations for aircraft flight.

Course work relates to all of the learning outcomes as detailed above and includes the following AHEPS.

AHEP 4 – B1 (Science, Mathematics and Engineering Principles)
AHEP 4 – B2 (Problem Analysis)
AHEP 4 – B6 (Integrated / Systems Approach)

Student will provide written answers to questions and compile a technical report on an incident or crash with significant human factors involvement and causes.

Aircraft instruments (the Air Data Computer, advanced 'glass cockpit' instruments and the human factors related to the pilot / aircraft interface). Reflection on the processes involved when the interface is imperfect and the causes of air crashes due to the same.

Design features and flying control systems of helicopters. Helicopter and Gyrocopter aerodynamics and control systems. Helicopter aerodynamics.

Aspects (including aerodynamic and structural consideration) of aircraft primary and secondary flying controls (including study of yaw damper and wing gust-load alleviation systems).

Appreciation of and the study of the subsonic supersonic engine intake design, and the importance of supersonic engine inlet shock wave position management. The implementation of reheat and con-di exhaust nozzles on supersonic engines. Appreciation of Mach pitch and Centre of Gravity control.

Gas turbine engines (advanced aspects, fuel control systems including digital FADEC control, emissions, surge and stall, turbine blade design considerations).

Hydraulic systems and fly-by-wire control of hydraulics.

Navigation systems (Instrument Landing System, Microwave Landing System, Differential Global Positioning System for precision approach, comparison of Inertial Navigation System (using gyros) and Inertial Reference System (using ring laser gyros) systems and positional accuracy updates).

Analysis of flight deck human-aircraft interface (Boeing yoke v. Airbus side-stick control philosophy, the need for multiple control-law modes with side-stick).

Review of air accidents due to design faults and human-interface design problems. Aircraft flight deck and passenger cabin advanced design considerations.

Detailed study of Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft systems including fuel system, pneumatic and bleed-air, environmental control system, flight controls and hydraulic systems, electrical system, fuel system, flight management computer and landing gear.

The importance of aircraft weight limits, looking at a range of operational weight limits such as zero fuel mass, operational empty mass, and maximum take-off and landing mass. The importance of aircraft mass and balance calculations, looking at the procedures used to calculate compliance for light aircraft and airliners.

This module covers advanced aspects of aeronautics. Helicopter controls and aerodynamics are covered, subsonic and supersonic aircraft engine inlets and exhaust systems are analysed. Boeing v Airbus flight deck design is contrasted, and the related human factors of operational CRM discussed in depth. Aircraft systems are discussed, and Airbus and Boeing systems are contrasted. Aircraft mass and balance is discussed, looking at the importance of weight limits on flight, and mass and balance calculations.

Must have attended a Course Briefing Day and be approved by the Course Leader.

Students will participate in online recorded tutorials, which will guide them through the required elements of the module. Additional discussion forums are available for their use, in order to participate with their online colleagues on the module. Moule material is available in various formats to suit the learning needs of the student, including PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, videos and other learning materials.

Students will be expected to engage with independent reading, which should include texts, journals, websites that are pertinent to the learning outcomes and the issues or areas that form the focus of the module. Indicative texts include:

Bertin & Cummings (2021) Aerodynamics for Engineers; Camb University Press
Seddon (2012) Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics; AIAA
Rathakrishnan (2018) Helicopter Aerodynamics; PHI Learning
Binns (2018) Aircraft Systems; Wiley IEEE
RH Barnard and DR Philpott (2009). Aircraft Flight .: PrenticeHall.

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