Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understanding of the fundamental behaviour of aerofoils in the context of flight mechanics and aircraft performance (EA1(b))
• Investigating and defining aerospace design problems, including environmental and sustainability limitations (D2)
• Understanding of contexts in which aerospace engineering knowledge can be applied (P1)
• Awareness of some of the legal context of aviation safety management (EL5)
• Knowledge and understanding of aspects of the commercial, economic and social context of aerospace engineering (EL2)
• Understanding of concepts from aircraft and spacecraft operations, human factors, physiology, etc. and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively in Aeronautics and Astronautics projects (SM6m)
• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mathematical models of the mechanics of fixed wing flight (SM2m)
• Understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering, in the specific context of aerospace engineering (EL1)
• Understanding of aircraft and launch vehicle performance principles and the ability to apply them in design engineering (EA1m)

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Plan self-learning and improve performance (G2)

INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS (11 lectures)

Introduction to aeronautics, key ideas

Airline economics

Aviation safety and certification

Aviation meteorology

Aerodromes

Humans in the atmosphere – physics, physiology, design, limitations

Remotely piloted vehicles and autonomous flight

INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONAUTICS (8 lectures)

Environment – space environment, near-Earth environment and launch environment

Launch vehicles – the rocket equation, the rocket equation applied to launch vehicles, launch system characteristics

MECHANICS OF FLIGHT (20 lectures)

Flight mechanics: fundamental concepts and definitions

Typical aerodynamic characteristics

Aircraft performance fundamentals

Simple accelerated flight

Introduction to longitudinal stability

Introduction to aerodynamic controls

ENGINEERING ETHICS (one lecture)

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Worked examples and problem sheets
• Flight Simulator laboratory

Learning activities include

• Working through examples in lectures and self-study time
• Flight simulator laboratory
• Directed reading

Assessment strategy

The learning outcomes of this module will be assessed under the Part I Assessment Schedule for FEE Engineering Programmes which forms an Appendix to your Programme Specification.

Feedback will be available on the formative work undertaken during the module.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External