2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
MECH5740M Rotary Wing Aircraft
15 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Dr Andrew Shires
Email: A.Shires@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisite qualifications
Have successfully completed 3 years of a MEng degree within the School of Mechanical Engineering or alternatively should have been awarded at least a BEng Honours 2:1 degree with an average mark of 60%.Pre-requisites
| MECH1215 | Thermofluids 1 |
| MECH1520 | Engineering Mathematics |
| MECH2620 | Vibration and Control |
| MECH2670 | Thermofluids 2 |
| MECH3496 | Thermofluids 3 |
| MECH3790 | Aerodynamics and Aerospace Propulsion |
| MECH3855 | Aerospace Flight Mechanics |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
Develop an understanding of the theory of vertical flight, design and analysis of helicopters, autogyros and other rotary wing aircraft and wind turbines, and gain an appreciation of the extra difficulties involved when the vehicle flow is cyclic in nature.Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course, student will be able to:
1. identify the different Rotorcraft configurations and layouts
2. estimate the performance of rotorcraft in:
a. Hover
b. Forward Flight
c. Vertcial descent
3. determine the equations of motion of the rotor blades
4. determine the loads on the rotor hub
5. estimate the performance of a wind turbine.
6. determining the stability characteristics of a helicopter.
Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will have acquired the following skills:
- analytical
- problem solving
- mathematical derivations and solutions.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to rotary wing aircraft
2. Rotorcraft configuration and layout
3. Conventional rotor systems
4. Hovering and vertical flight performance
5. Forward flight performance
6. Rotor blade aerodynamics in steady forward flight
7. Blade motion, dynamics and control of rotors
8. Loads on the rotor hub
9. Equations of motion of the rigid helicopter
10. Rotorcraft stability derivatives
11. Longitudional and lateral stability
12. Introduction to Aeroelasticity.
13. Wind turbines - Configurations and characteristics; Estimating wind resources; Estimating aerodynamic performance.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Lecture | 33 | 1.00 | 33.00 |
| Private study hours | 115.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 35.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Private study
Students are to spend on average:- 0.5 hour preparation/revision for each lecture (17 hours-total),
- approximately 50 hours of work for the one piece of coursework,
- 48 hours for the exam preparation and
- 2 hours to do the exam.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Throughout the course there will be number 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 | . | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
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 | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 | |
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 websiteLast updated: 26/04/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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