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ME50041: Aircraft stability & control

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 15%, EX 85%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Mandatory extra work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To give an understanding of the principles of control of aerospace vehicles, the significance of the permitted centre of gravity limits which must be considered when loading an aircraft, static and dynamic stability of aircraft, and basic orbital mechanics applied to space vehicle control.
To enable the student to understand and analyse both flight test and wind tunnel results pertaining to aircraft static and dynamic stability.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Estimate stability margins for any given conventional or tail-less aircraft.
* Analyse and interpret both wind tunnel and flight test results concerned with aircraft static and dynamic stability and trim.
* Perform basic analysis of spacecraft orbits and manoeuvres.
* Undertake individual independent study of relevant topic.

Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently.

Content:
Rigid aircraft behaviour. Basic specification of forces and moment on an aircraft. Properties of aerofoils and controls. Static stability criterion. Static and manoeuvre margins, both stick fixed and stick free. Flight test measurements and wind tunnel analysis. Springs and weights in the elevator circuit. Power assistance for the pilot and artificial feel. Dynamic stability: an introduction. Stability derivatives. Orbit of a body under gravity. Orbit changes and spacecraft manoeuvre. Flight test laboratory. Topics for self study that could be examined.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME50041 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.