MECH ENG 7066 - Aeronautical Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023

This is an introductory course to Aeronautical Engineering. In this course you will learn about Aircraft types, Atmosphere Properties, Aircraft Geometries, Forces and Moments, Aerodynamics, Flight Performance, Stability and Control, Thrust, Aircraft Loads, and Helicopter Aerodynamics. The assumed knowledge for this course includes fluid mechanics and thermodynamics in particular understanding of laminar and turbulent flow, control volume analysis, different types of engines, and different types of thermodynamic cycles. The material is presented in a combination of lectures, tutorials and hands-on laboratory sessions.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MECH ENG 7066
    Course Aeronautical Engineering
    Coordinating Unit School of Mechanical Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge MECH ENG 2021, MECH ENG 2002
    Assessment Assignments, Laboratory Reports, Final Exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Robin Georg

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Demonstrate the skills neede to understand and analyse the design and performance of modern aircraft;
    2 Explain soundly-based vehicle design and flight systems;
    3 Explain aircraft systems such as engines, V/STOL technology, control systems;
    4 Discuss basic theories in Aeronautical Engineering, such as propeller momentum theory, vortex line theory etc;
    5 Describe structural analysis through the application of the fundamental knowledge in aerospace structures;
    6 Apply problem based learning principles in the tutorial;
    7 Define and describe Aeronautical Engineering;
    8 Recognise current best practice in the area of Aeronautical Engineering;
    9 Explain environmental issues associated with the area of Aeronautics, such as energy conservation, pollution etc; and
    10 Use problem solving skills i.e. identify main issues in aeronautical problems, simplify the problem and solve it using standard tools.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.2   3.4   

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-10

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-7,10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course lecture notes - provided electronically through MyUni
    Recommended Resources
    Strongly recommended
    • Introduction to flight; John Anderson
    • Introduction to aeronautics: a design perspective; Steven Brandt
    • Aircraft performance and design; John Anderson
    Recommended
    • Aircraft structures for engineering students; T Megson
    • Aircraft flight; R Barnard
    • Aerodynamics, aeronautics and flight mechanics; B McCormick
    • An introduction to general aeronautics; C Van Deventer
    • Aeroplane design, vol I-VIII; John Roskam
    • Aircraft design: a conceptual approach; Daniel Raymer
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As per university recommendation, it is expected that students spend 48hrs/week during teaching periods, and that a 3 unit course has a minimum workload of 156 hours regardless of the length of the course. Additional time may need to be spent acquiring assumed knowledge, working on assessment during non-teaching periods, and preparing for and attending examinations.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Fundamentals
    • Aircraft parts
    • Aircraft types
    • Atmosphere
    • Coordinate systems
    • Aircraft geometries
    • Forces and moments
    Aerodynamics
    • Low Mach aerodynamics - lift
    • Low Mach aerodynamics - drag
    • Low Mach aerodynamics - drag polar
    Performance
    • Performance - takeoff
    • Performance - climb
    • Performance - cruise
    • Performance - descent and landing, energy equation
    Stability and control
    • Stability and control - longitudinal
    • Stability and control - lateral, directional
    • Stability and control - analysis I
    • Stability and control - analysis II
    Propulsion
    • Propulsion - types
    • Propulsion - piston engines and propellors
    • Propulsion - jet engines
    Helicopter and VSTOL
    • Helicopter fundamentals
    • Helicopter aerodynamics
    • VSTOL aircraft
    Aircraft loads
    • Aircraft loads I
    • Aircraft loads II
    Specific Course Requirements

    NONE

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Flight Simulator Laboratory 10 Individual Summative Weeks 2-6 attendance 1. 2. 3. 7. 8. 10.
    Wing Structures Laboratory 10 Individual Summative Weeks 7-11 attendance 1. 2. 5. 7. 8. 10.
    Assignments (x4) 20 Individual Summative Weeks 1-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
    Quizzes (x2) 20 Individual Summative Weeks 6, 12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
    Exam 40 Individual Summative Final Exam 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 2.   
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Related Requirements

    NONE

    Assessment Detail

    All the assignments are problem type questions. The solutions to the assignments will be reviewed and marked by the course tutor/s according to the marking rubric. The solutions will be available to the students on MyUni after the submission date.

    Submission

    Assessments are submitted electronically via MyUni.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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