Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


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.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 10%
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 90%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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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.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit