Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
ME50225: Aircraft performance & design |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 20%, EX 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | ME50225 Re-assessment Only (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce the basic mechanics of flight and the factors affecting the design of fixed-wing aircraft. To provide a broad outline of the performance characteristics of aircraft engines and their impact on aircraft performance. To introduce methods for the initial sizing of aircraft using principal design parameters. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * predict the performance of a fixed-wing aircraft in level, climbing and turning flight; * understand and apply aircraft specifications within the Airworthiness Regulations; * calculate take-off and landing distances and understand the balance field length concept; * construct a constraints diagram for the critical flight phases for estimation of wing and engine requirements. Skills: Problem solving, numeracy, written communication (taught and assessed), working independently. Content: Standard atmosphere and aircraft speed definitions; level flight, climb and field performance; use of a drag polar; range equations and turning flight. Performance characteristics of thrust and power producing engines. Take-off and landing distance calculations, WAT limits and the balanced field length. Payload-range diagrams and constraints diagrams for preliminary aircraft sizing; considerations for aircraft design. |