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2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

AVIA1040 Introduction to Aviation

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr DW Dixon-Hardy
Email: d.w.dixon-hardy@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to aircraft (aviation technology) and the atmosphere in which they fly (meteorology).

Objectives

Aviation Technology:
The purpose of this section of the course is to introduce students to aviation technology with an emphasis on key historical milestones and the fundamentals of aircraft design.

Aviation Meteorology:
The purpose of this section of the course is to introduce the topic of meteorology with an emphasis on what aviation students need to know, up to and beyond that required for the PPL and ATPL.

Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module students should:
For Aviation Technology:
1. Gain insight into key phases of the development of aviation.
2. Be able to describe, explain and calculate fundamental concepts (e.g. aerodynamics, structures, stability and control, propulsion) relevant to aviation.
3. Apply their understanding of the fundamental concepts to evaluate and design aircraft.
4. Apply their understanding of the development of aviation and the fundamental concepts to explain the development and design of aircraft.

For Aviation Meteorology:
5. have a detailed understanding of the physical principles of meteorology.
6. have ability to make and interpret basic meteorological observations.
7. be able to interpret synoptic weather forecasts in the context of aircraft flight and make rational assessments of the effects of weather on aerodynamics and safety.
8. be able to assimilate meteorological information in an operating aviation context.

Skills outcomes
Students acquire the following competencies in the module. In each case, the means of acquiring the competency is shown. These competencies correspond with those specified in "The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes", Third edition, Engineering Council, 2014. P = practiced ACTIVELY, F= Formatively assessed, S = Summatively assessed.
SM1: HOW MANIFESTED: P though demonstration of knowledge of characteristics of the atmosphere vs. altitude (pressure, temperature, density and humidity) and how weather affects aviation operation; and by application of knowledge to the individual project, S by group presentation of a meteorological flight briefing and coursework submission and through exam questions on the origin of lift and drag.
SM3: HOW MANIFESTED: P by using prior knowledge of basic engineering fundamentals and how these aid our understanding of how aircraft fly and the weather. S through reporting knowledge in group meteorological flight briefing presentation, through coursework submission and exam questions.
EA1: HOW MANIFESTED: P by class discussions and related to real-life examples. S through reporting knowledge in meteorological flight briefing group presentation, coursework submission and an aircraft case study.
EA3: HOW MANIFESTED: P through in class calculations of lift, drag and stability of aircraft. S through similar calculations in the exam.
ELSEE 1: HOW MANIFESTED: P by addressing the issue in student activity throughout the aviation tech and meteorology classes. A classic example is the decision making process and procedure for high cross wind landings. S incorporation into group presentation.
ELSEE 2: HOW MANIFESTED: S though the meteorological flight briefing reporting of how airlines decide when to fly depending on weather conditions and coursework submission.
ELSEE 4: HOW MANIFESTED: P through the students discussing the reasons for the use of electric aircraft and urban taxis. S through exam question.
ELSEE 5: HOW MANIFESTED: P identified by students demonstrating knowledge of airline SOP and limits set by airlines on crew flying capability and expectations when operating in difficult weather conditions. S through reporting of such knowledge in the group presentation of a meteorological flight briefing and coursework submission.
ELSEE 6: HOW MANIFESTED: P identified by student knowledge of airline SOP and limits set by airlines on crew flying capability and expectations when operating in difficult weather conditions. S through reporting of such knowledge in the group presentation of a meteorological flight briefing and coursework submission.
EP1: HOW MANIFESTED: P all these topics pervade in the meteorological flight briefing task and the students will be guided by their supervisor so they can adequately demonstrate them. Also P throughout aviation tech when analyzing the design of aircraft. S through reporting of such knowledge in the meteorological flight briefing group presentation, coursework submission, groups presentation on a certain aircraft and exam questions.
EP2: HOW MANIFESTED: P through analysis of aircraft performance (747, Piper PA-28), knowledge of aircraft control systems and the limits of the materials from which turbine blades are made. S through group presentation on a specific aircraft and exam questions.
EP4: HOW MANIFESTED: P by the use of airline SOPs and Meteorological information. S reporting of such knowledge in meteorological flight briefing and coursework submission.
EP6: HOW MANIFESTED: P by the use of airline SOPs and Meteorological information. S reporting of such knowledge in the meteorological flight briefing and coursework submission.


Syllabus

For Aviation Technology:
- Aviation timeline: the development of aviation technology, early flight, outstanding men and women in aviation; the structure of the aviation industry.
- Principles of flight and aerodynamics: forces acting on an airplane in flight, airfoil terminology, physical description and explanation of lift, effect of angle of attack and velocity, vortices, ground effect and wake turbulence.
- Drag: drag forces and terminology, parasite, profile, form, skin, aileron, interference, effect of turbulence, supersonic drag.
- Wing design: coefficients of lift and drag, L/D, aspect ratio, high lift devices, laminar flow.
- Aircraft stability and control: static and dynamic stability, importance of C of G, pitching moments, longitudinal, lateral and directional stability.
- Aircraft propulsion: thrust and power, propellers, turbo-fans, turbo-jets and turbo-props, prop-fans.

For Aviation Meteorology:
- Composition and structure of the atmosphere; formation of cloud and precipitation; thunderstorms; ice accretion on aircraft; visibility.
- Surface observations: pressure, temperature, humidity, wind, cloud, visibility; upper-air observations: observations using remote sensing; collection and charting of observations.
- Synoptic meteorology, collection and charting, air masses, main frontal zones, properties of fronts; frontal depressions; flight through frontal depressions; other depressions - causes of depressions; secondary depressions; orographic depressions; thermal depressions; tropical cyclones; tornadoes; anticyclones.
- Elements of forecasting, route and flight forecasts; local and airport forecasts; international and UK; in-flight information meteorological sources.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lectures441.0044.00
Private study hours156.00
Total Contact hours44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Review of lecture notes each week
Use of recommended on-line and literature resources to support lecture material
Further reading on case studies
Directed reading of recommended texts and on-line resources to support lecture material
Revision for written examination

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 x in class group presentation
Fortnightly online MCQs with automated feedback
1 x 2000 word essay

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
AssignmentDesign (Glider)15.00
EssayEssay10.00
PresentationPresentation10.00
AssignmentDesign (Aircraft)35.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)70.00

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


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment1 hr 30 mins30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)30.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:24:14

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