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:

• Investigating and defining aerospace design problems, including environmental and sustainability limitations
• Understanding of aircraft and launch vehicle performance principles and the ability to apply them in design engineering
• Knowledge and understanding of aspects of the commercial, economic and social context of aerospace engineering
• Awareness of some of the legal context of aviation safety management
• Understanding of the fundamental behaviour of aerofoils in the context of flight mechanics and aircraft performance
• Understanding of contexts in which aerospace engineering knowledge can be applied
• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mathematical models of the mechanics of fixed wing flight
• 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
• Understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering, in the specific context of aerospace engineering

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Students undertake a Flight Simulation laboratory exercise during the summer term whereby they have access to a high-end aircraft simulator to enable them to experience flight is either a fixed-winged or rotary-winged aircraft
• The latest research developments are discussed in lectures and tutorials to illustrate how the aerospace lifecycle may have an environmental and societal impact. Of particular note being the impact of moving from fossil fuels to so-called green alternatives such as lithium batteries and Hydrogen fuels

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Students are asked to consider the application of health safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards when deriving complex engineering solutions to problems.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• C1/M1 Students are assessed based on their knowledge in the use of mathematics to solve engineering complex engineering problems; they learn concepts at the forefront of their subject area through the latest research developments presented in taught classes. A critical awareness of new developments, such as net zero, electrification, sustainability and ethics is emphasized and discussed during lectures and tutorials. C2/M2 Students analyze and solve complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions based on the use of first principle mathematics and engineering concepts, demonstrating an ability to use engineering judgement in discussing results and understanding the limitations of their approach/technique. M7 The latest research developments are discussed in lectures and tutorials to illustrate how the aerospace lifecycle may have an environmental and societal impact. Of particular note being the impact of moving from fossil fuels to so-called green alternatives such as lithium batteries and Hydrogen fuels. C5 Students are asked to consider the application of health safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards when deriving complex engineering solutions to problems. M12 Students undertake a Flight Simulation laboratory exercise during the summer term whereby they have access to a high-end aircraft simulator to enable them to experience flight is either a fixed-winged or rotary-winged aircraft. C15/M15 Students are briefly introduced to the issues of engineering management with respect to legal aspects of change, social responsibility and ethics. This relates to aviation safety and the role of the regulator (EASA, CAA, MAA) in the management and implementation of the safety culture. C18/M18 Students are encouraged to develop their portfolio of solutions to the weekly tests through the use of Excel spreadsheets and capturing learning in notebooks and journals, both physical and electronic in the spirit of CPD/lifelong learning.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Plan self-learning and improve performance

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 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

Formative

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

Specialist Lab

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

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