Course syllabus - Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics

Objectives

The course should give basic knowledge within the fields of aerodynamics, flight mechanics, performance and aeroelacticity for airplanes. The course should also give basic knowledge concerning the carry-out and reporting of experimental and simple theoretical treatments within the fields of the course.

Learning outcomes

After the completion of the course the student should be able to:
- describe and use basic concepts, nomenclature, relations, phenomenon, principles and equations within the field, e.g. Bernoulli equation and static stability
- describe classic problems within aeronautics, where the course topics constitute an pivotal roll, as well as be able to motivate typical design solutions on aircrafts from the perspective of the course topics
- examplify typical and reasonable values on the properties relevant for the subject as well as be able to name typical units for these in both SI and Imperial
- generally describe different experimental and theoretical methods, their possibilities and limitations as well as their level of accuracy
- carry out and report experimental and simple theoretical treatments, e.g. the formula for lift

Course content

Aerodynamics: Flow around wings and bodies (fuselages). Aerofoil sections. Lift forces. Moment. Influence of Mach number. Boundary layer. Drag. Influence of Reynolds number. High lift devices. Influence of wing section design. Orientation re propellers and rotary aerodynamics. Orientation re aerodynamic interference due to different parts of the plane/helicopter and to external loads.

Flight Mechanics and performance: Definitions. Aerodynamic quality rating. Performance. Stability and control. Take-off and landing regulations.

Flow over wings and bodies (especially airfoils and wing-planforms), aerodynamic forces and moments, aerodynamic coefficients and quality numbers, stability and control, aeroelastic phenomena, equations of motion and performance parameters, the character of the atmosphere as well as atmosphere models, incompressible and compressible flow (especially concerning the mach number), sub-, tran- and supersonic flow, non-viscous and viscous flow, 1-, 2- and 3-dimensional flow, historical aspects, knowledge about the relevant industry, environmental aspects.
Overview: boundary layer-theory, propeller and rotor-aerodynamics, experimental aerodynamics and computational aerodynamics.

Tuition

Lectures, tutorials, laboratory work.

Specific requirements

Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering 7,5 ECTS credits or equivalent.

Examination

Exercise (LAB1), laboratory work, 3 credits, marks Pass (G)
Examination (TEN1), 4.5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps completely with MFL004 Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics I.