This course will equip the student with a robust theoretical basis for development of elementary concepts in aircraft performance, stability and control.

two lectures per week for 20 lectures

None

None

100% Examination

The aim of this courses is to equip the student with a robust theoretical basis for development of elementary concepts in aircraft performance, stability and control

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

■ state standard notation and nomenclature used in flight mechanics;

■ calculate centre of mass and moments of inertia for given structures and loads;

■ define Euler angles and use them to convert between frames of reference;

■ develop equations of motion for translating and rotating frames of reference in 3D;

■ perform simple calculations based on aerodynamics and propulsive forces and moments;

■ explain elementary stability and control concepts;

■ discuss typical modes of motion qualitatively and quantitatively;

■ assess the inter-relationship between design and handling qualities.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.