This course will equip the student with a robust theoretical basis for concepts in aircraft performance and give an introduction to the aircraft design process covering the various design choices which have to be made in order to satisfy the aircraft performance requirements.

two lectures per week for 20 lectures

None

None

80% Examination

20% Set exercise to assess the aerodynamic performance of a concept aircraft.

The aims of this course are:

■ to equip the student with a robust theoretical basis for development of elementary concepts in aircraft performance;

■ to develop a broad understanding of the aircraft design process, including awareness of the importance of market forces and role of airworthiness requirements;

■ to develop an appreciation of the environmental and sustainability issues associated with aircraft design; 

■ to review future trends and directions in aircraft concepts.

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

■ determine aircraft range by a simple model (Breguet range equation) and select an appropriate propulsion system, wing planform and airfoil section for an aircraft, justified by referencing technical literature and informed by commercial factors, certification and regulatory requirements, and passenger needs;

■ describe the sustainability and environmental issues which influence aircraft design;

■ develop awareness of the factors influencing climb and descent profiles in operation and analyse those aspects of design and the operating environment that determine takeoff and landing performance;

■ identify the basic components and systems of an aircraft configuration and perform a basic weight estimation for an aircraft including all electric and hybrid vehicles;

■ analyse the tailplane and fin sizing for an aircraft;

■ review an aircraft preliminary design using constraint analysis.