Flight Dynamics (Option of Aerospace Dynamics) – (M.Sc.)

Contents

An understanding of the dynamic behaviour of aircraft, coupled with knowledge of the design and implementation of modern flight control systems, will be essential for the design of the next generation of aircraft. Such knowledge can be applied to a wide range of vehicles and the Flight Dynamics specialisation is intended for those wishing to develop a career in this area.

Environmental issues will ensure that aerodynamic refinement will dominate the next generation of civil transport aircraft, placing even greater emphasis on flight control and flight dynamic aspects.

In the military arena Cranfield has unparalleled experience in the design and development of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This has drawn heavily on aerodynamic modelling, using both wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), as well as flight dynamics.

Skills in the areas of flight dynamics are increasingly in demand in sectors related to aerospace such as automotive, environmental, energy and medicine.

The course consists of three main components: a group flight test (which includes modules related to the fundamental aspects of aeronautics together with laboratory exercises in the National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) Jetstream aircraft), taught modules and a research thesis.

Research thesis
Typical research thesis topics have recently included:

* optimal preview control for aircraft ground handling
* station-keeping control system for a rotor-borne UAV
* performance modelling of the canard rotor wing aircraft
* unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) formation flight FCS design
* modelling and control of a propulsion controlled aircraft (PCA)
* design and validation of autopilot/flight path control system function models using non-linear dynamic inversion
* the influence of artificial feel systems dynamics on aircraft longitudinal handling qualities.

Option of Aerospace Dynamics MSc

Modules: * Aircraft Navigation and Sensors
* Air-Vehicle Modelling and Simulation
* CFD for Aerospace Applications
* Compressible Flow
* Control Systems
* Experimental Aerodynamics
* Flight Dynamics Principles
* Flying Qualities and Flight Control
* Fundamentals of Rotorcraft Performance, Stability and Control
* Fundamentals of Supersonic Aircraft Design
* Launch and Re-Entry Aerodynamics
* Supercritical Aerofoil Design
* Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
* Introduction to Transonic Flow
* Launch and Re-Entry Aerodynamics
* Modelling of Dynamic Systems
* Multivariable Control Systems for Aerospace Applications
* Supercritical Aerofoil Design
* Technology for Sustainable Aviation
* Viscous Flow
* Group Flight Test Report