NG4S313 - Advanced Aircraft Design 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG4S313
Module Title: Advanced Aircraft Design
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Module Leader: Darren Williams
Module Team: Vishagen Ramasamy, Rukshan Navaratne, Mohamed Mohamed
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100114 - aeronautical engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Apr 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To provide the student with an integrated understanding of the taught aeronautical engineering postgraduate modules, through a design and synthesis perspective.

To provide the student with the tools and methods to conceptually create, simulate and optimise an aircraft design.

Content Summary

Design Philosophy

Aircraft design process, cycle, phases and tendency

Quality Function Development (QFD) method and the ‘House of Quality’ application in aeronautical design

Aerodynamics and Performance of Airplanes

Basic aerodynamics and applications

Transonic flow fundamentals

Aircraft lift, drag and drag polar

Drag reduction methods

Drag curves

Take off and landing

Range and endurance

V-n diagram

Air Vehicle Sizing

Structures and weights

Geometry constraints

Mission analysis

Sizing equation

Typical mission profiles

Weight fractions for the different mission segments (engine start to take off, climb, cruise, loiter, landing)

Conceptual aircraft design consideration

Concept generation, analysis and selection

Power/propulsion system requirements

Design techniques & synthesis

Geometry modelling and engineering drawing

Customer focus, cost estimation and constraint diagrams

Consideration of the required avionic and aircraft systems

Mission simulation and performance verification

Design optimisation

Prototype development (real or virtual models and products)

Design justification (analyses and/or flight verification)

Certification and airworthiness considerations

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Tutorial 5
Practical classes and workshops 5
Independent Study 150
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrating ability to conceptually create, test, optimise and justify an aircraft design based on a given set of operational requirements 
LO2 Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the design tradeoffs and its influence on the design optimisation and justification of an aircraft.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Individual work – A reflection of experiences during the design which includes a peer assessment. 0 2000 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Group Work -– A portfolio that documents the design of a next generation fixed wing aircraft, a logbook, an intermediate presentation, and a final group presentation. 0 5000 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Torenbeek, E. (2013), ‘ Advanced Aircraft Design: Conceptual Design, Technology and Optimization of Subsonic Civil Airplanes’, Wiley Aerospace Series

 

Raymer, D.P.(2012) ‘Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach’, AIAA Education Series, 5th edition,

 

Jenkinson,L.R and Marchman,J (2003) Aircraft Design Projects for Engineering Students. AIAA Education Series. Published by Butterworth Heinemann, 370 pages. ISBN-10: 1-56347-619-3.