Course Catalogue

Aircraft Handling Qualities and Control 5 ENG5014

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Engineering
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course analyses the dynamic characteristics of aircraft equipped with simple control systems, leading to an awareness of modern aircraft control systems and their effect on the performance of aircraft. The theory is illustrated with a practical flight test sortie.

Timetable

Teaching Sessions: 1 hour, twice per week

Laboratory Session: 3 hours each

Flight testing sortie

Requirements of Entry

None

Assessment

100% degree examination

It is not practicable to offer reassessment in any aspect of this course that requires practical or group work; this includes the flight test sortie.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to enable students to analyse the dynamic characteristics of aircraft equipped with simple control systems, to make students aware of modern aircraft control systems and their effect on the performance of aircraft, and to give practical experience of flight testing.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ assess the handling qualities of an aircraft based on its dynamic modes;

■ describe the process by which handling qualities are assessed by experiment;

■ explain the operation, and be able to analyse the performance of, simple stability augmentation systems;

■ apply methods for control system design;

■ describe the function of advanced control systems;

■ perform a flight test, record and interpret the results.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions