2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MECH3855 Aerospace Flight Mechanics

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr C A Gilkeson
Email: C.A.Gilkeson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

MECH1210	Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics
MECH2610	Engineering Mechanics
MECH2620	Vibration and Control
MECH2670	Thermofluids 2

Co-requisites

MECH3855

Aerospace Flight Mechanics

Module replaces

MECH1270MECH2271MECH3271MECH5710

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

In this module students will develop an understanding of three concepts of aerospace flight:
1. Aircraft and aerospace vehicle performance.
2. Steady level flight and dynamic behaviour of aircraft in flight.
3. The basics of aerospace flight and orbital mechanics.

Learning outcomes
Students will learn the basic concepts of aerospace performance and be introduced to the mathematical tools used for its prediction. They will also gain skills in problem solving in the area of flight vehicle motion, and gain an understanding of the control and dynamic behaviour of aircraft and spacecraft to atmospheric or control inputs. They will further gain an understanding of aircraft and spacecraft control as well as aerospace orbital vehicle motion.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will have acquired the following skills:
- analytical
- problem solving
- mathematical derivations and solutions
- adaptability.

Syllabus

1. Glossary of terms for aerospace vehicles and their components.
2. Introduction to aircraft performance in steady level flight.
3. Balance of forces
4. Gliding performance
5. Range & endurance calculations.
6. Manoeuvre performance.
7. Origin of symmetric forces and moments.
8. Accelerated flight:
a. Take-off
b. Flying in a circle
c. Accelerated climb
d. Landing performance
9. Longitudinal, Directional and Roll static stability and control
10. Aircraft equations of motion
11. Stick fixed longitudinal and lateral motion
12. Aircraft response to control or atmospheric inputs
13. Aeroelasticity
14. Ballistic missile performance
15. Basics of rocket performance
16. Launch systems
17. Orbital mechanics
18. Gravity assist trajectories
19. Interplanetary strategies
20. Practical considerations of spaceflight
21. Artificial satellites and space debris

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
In Course Assessment	1	80.00	80.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	44	1.00	44.00
Practical	2	2.00	4.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			130.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are to spend on average:
- a total of 20 hours preparation/revision for all of the lectures
- 2 hours to completing the analysis from the flight testing exercise
- 48 hours exam preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Throughout the course there will be number of tutorial classes within the lectures, together with one piece of coursework mid-course to guarantee appropriate feedback before the end of course. Formative feedback will be provided for all work.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	Flight Course	5.00
Assignment	Flight Mechanics	20.00
Assignment	Orbital Mechanics	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/02/2018

Disclaimer

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