NG3S362 - Aircraft Flight Dynamics 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S362
Module Title: Aircraft Flight Dynamics
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Module Leader: Ilias Lappas
Module Team: Ilias Lappas
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100428 - aerodynamics
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Apr 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To provide the student with an integrated understanding of the static and dynamic stability behaviour of the aircraft, by assessing the flying and handling qualities of an aircraft.

To consolidate the understanding of high speed flows phenomena with a particular focus on how they apply to aircraft.

Content Summary

Aircraft Static Stability
1. Coordinate system
2. Longitudinal static stability
3. Moments on the aircraft
4. Absolute angle of attack
5. Criteria for longitudinal static stability
6. Trim diagram
7. Contribution of the wing and tail to Mcg
8. Total pitching moment about the centre of gravity
9. Equations for longitudinal static stability
10. Neutral point
11. Static margin
12. Stick-fixed versus stick-free static stability
13. Directional static stability
14. Lateral static stability

Aircraft Dynamic stability

1. Aircraft equations of motion
2. Longitudinal dynamic modes (Short-period, Phugoid)
3. Lateral-directional dynamic modes (Spiral, Roll, Dutch Roll)

Aircraft Flying and Handling Qualities
1. Aircraft flight systems
2. Automatic flight control systems
3. Cooper-Harper handling qualities rating scale
4. MIL-F-8785C ‘Flying qualities of piloted airplanes’ criteria

Wing and aerofoil geometry

Wing geometric parametersAerofoil thickness and camberNACA 4-digit aerofoils

Non dimensional parameters and dynamic similarity

Mach numberReynolds numberPressure coefficientSkin friction coefficientDynamic similarity

Shock expansion theory

Introduction to shock waves, assumptions for shock wave analysisNormal shock wavesIsentropic relationsMach jump relationStatic jump relationShock lossesOblique shocksMach wavesOblique analysisEquivalence between normal and oblique shocksExpansion wavesOblique shocks and expansion wavesWave flow relationsPrandtl-Meyer functionSupersonic aircraft inlets

Transonic aerodynamics

Prandtl-Glauert correctionCritical Mach numberArea rule

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Seminar 2
Tutorial 10
Fieldwork 1
Independent Study 85
Directed Study 35
Active/Simulation Based 7
Groupwork 20
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrating ability to assess the flying and handling qualities of an aircraft.
LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the application of aerodynamic phenomena on an aircraft.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD008373 Thermofluids 2 pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Written group report on the flying and handling qualities of an aircraft 0 2000 30 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 A test of knowledge and understanding by previously seen or unseen questions, delivered onsite and time constrained to not more than 2 and a half hours 150 N/A 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1 ✔ ✔
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

J.D. Anderson, Jr, ‘Introduction to Flight’, McGraw-Hill, 7th edition, 2012.

Steven A. Brandt, Randall J. Stiles, Ray Whitford, ‘Introduction to Aeronautics: A Design Perspective ’, AIAA Education Series, 3rd edition, 2015.

R. F. Stengel, ‘Flight Dynamics’, Princeton University Press, 2004.

M.V. Cook, ‘Flight Dynamics Principles’, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2nd edition, 2007.

Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, J.D. Anderson Jr, 5th edition McGraw-Hill Higher Education , 2011.

Aerodynamics for engineering students. Houghton, E. L. and Carpenter, P.W. 5th ed. Oxford ; Boston : Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.