- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


ME30219: Aircraft performance

[Page last updated: 27 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
ME30219 Re-Assessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites 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 and of aircraft engines. 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:
Apply analytical methods to predict the performance of fixed-wing aircraft in level, climbing and turning flight. Understand and apply fixed-wing 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; working independently.

Content:
Standard atmosphere and aircraft speed definitions; fixed-wing aircraft 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 for fixed-wing aircraft. Payload-range diagrams and constraints diagrams for preliminary aircraft sizing; considerations for the design of fixed-wing aircraft. Topics for self study that could be examined.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME30219 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFB26 : BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKB26 : BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

ME30219 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.