| CODE | AET1004 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Theory of Flight | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Aerospace Technologies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers the theoretical principles of aerodynamics, stability and control, as required for Commercial Pilot and Air Transport Pilot Licenses (approved by EASA or similar): Subsonic Aerodynamics: - Basic laws and definitions, including - aerodynamic forces and moments on aerofoils; aerofoil shapes; wing shapes; - Two-dimensional airflow around an aerofoil – the streamline pattern; stagnation point; pressure distribution; centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre; lift and downwash; drag and wake; influence of angle of attack; flow separation at higher angles of attack; the lift curve slope; - Three-dimensional airflows about an aeroplane – the streamline pattern and angle of attack; induced drag; - The Lift and drag coefficients; Total drag and its components - induced and parasitic drag; the ground effect – the effect on induced drag, lift, stall and take-off and landing performance; straight and level flight – graphical and algebraic methods of analysis; - The stall – the stall speed; flow separation; and span-wise initiation of stall; stall warning devices; special phenomena; Lift augmentation – leading and trailing edge devices; vortex generators; Means of reducing the lift to drag ratio – spoilers and speed brakes. High-Speed Aerodynamics: - The speed of sound and its effects on flight, including compressibility and subdivision of aerodynamic flow; normal and oblique shockwaves, the mach cone; the critical mach and its effects on lift, drag, pitching moment and control effectiveness; buffet onset. Stability and Control: - Static and dynamic stability – definitions and fundamental concepts; - Static longitudinal stability - including methods for achieving balance; the neutral point and factors affecting it; effects of the centre of gravity position and the Cm-α graph; the elevator position vs. IAS graph and factors affecting it; the stick force vs IAS graph and factors affecting it; stick force per g, factors affecting it and the limit-load factor; - Dynamic longitudinal stability – the phugoid and the SPPO; their relative importance, pilot induced oscillations; the influence of centre of gravity on dynamic stability; - Lateral and directional stability – the rolling and yawing moments, sideslip and roll; factors affecting stability; the spiral dive and the dutch roll. Flight control: - Basic concepts, including the definitions of three planes and axes; changing camber and angle of attack; pitch control – methods and the effects of engine thrust moment, centre of gravity, downwash and icing on the tail; yaw control – method and rudder limiting; roll control – methods, adverse yaw and its mitigation; roll-yaw interaction; - Reducing aerodynamic control forces – aerodynamic balancing and artificial means; mass balancing and trimming; trim tabs; stabiliser vs elevator trimming. Propellers: - Conversion of engine torque to thrust, including relevant parameters, blade twist, fixed and variable pitch propellers; propeller efficiency versus speed; icing effects; The effect of engine failure - windmilling drag and feathering; propeller design features, including aspect ratio, diameter and number of blades. Secondary effects of propellers – torque reaction, gyroscopic effects and asymmetric slipstream effects. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to cover the principles of flight of modern advanced aircraft (turbine engined transport aircraft). Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe two and three dimensional airflows relating to subsonic flight of aircraft; - Explain the effects and characteristics of lift and drag on subsonic flight; - Describe the phenomenon of stall; - Describe the effects of the speed of sound on flight; - Explain the various fundamental characteristics of longitudinal and lateral/directional stability of aeroplanes; - Describe how flight control is achieved on large transport category aeroplanes; - Explain the design and properties of propellers. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the theory and effects of the speed of sound in air transport operations; - Apply the knowledge of the theory of onset of stall and stall recovery in flight; - Apply the knowledge of the theory and implications of aircraft stability and control in flight; - Apply the theory of propellers for flight efficiency and safety in normal and abnormal operations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main text: - Saul-Pooley, D., Air Pilot's Manual Volume 4 - Aeroplane Technical - Principles of Flight, Aircraft General, Flight Planning & Performance, 7th Edition, 2014, Air Pilot Publisher Ltd. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Online Learning | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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