Course detail
Flight Mechanics I
FSI-OMZ-A Acad. year: 2019/2020 Summer semester
The classical theory of the atmospheric aircraft performance. Forces acting on the aircraft. General equations of motion for the aircraft performance solution. Performance in horizontal flight. Power-required and power-available curves. Performance at climbing and gliding. Performance at turning flight. Range and endurance. Take-off and landing operations.
Language of instruction
English
Number of ECTS credits
5
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Determination of the basic technical aircraft data in the classic aircraft performance. Qualitative and quantitative appraisal of aircraft performance and stability and control regarding the design and optimal use of an aircraft.
Prerequisites
The basics of mathematics – differential and integral calculus, common differential equations. The basics of common mechanics – force effect on a body, kinematics, dynamics. The basic of aerodynamics.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Conditions to obtain the course-unit credit: attendance at exercises (80% at the minimum), presentation of calculation tasks records or reports from laboratory exercises. The exam has written (the essential one) and oral parts. Evaluation fulfils the University requirements.
Aims
The goal is to explain the basic flight mechanics of atmospheric aircraft. Familiarizing students with the method of assessment of classical theory of performance and a judgment of aerodynamic and propulsion characteristics efficiency on flight performance.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Lectures are optional. Seminars are compulsory, and the attendance (80% at the minimum) is checked and recorded. The absence (in justifiable cases) can be compensated by personal consultation with the lecturer and elaboration of individually assigned topics and exercises. Individual tasks must be finished and handed in the week credits are awarded at the latest.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme M2I-A: Mechanical Engineering, Master's
branch M-STL: Aircraft Design, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
39 hours, optionally
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
1. Introduction. Classification and basic definitions.
2. Kinematics of atmospheric aircraft motion. Coordinate systems.
3. Forces acting on the airplane. Load factor.
4. Basic equations of airplane motion.
5. Horizontal flight. Thrust and power required.
6. Characteristic flight regimes of horizontal flight.
7. Performance diagram – thrust and power diagram. Flight envelope.
8. Climbing flight. Ceiling. Barograph and trajectory diagram.
9. Gliding flight. Hodograph curve for gliding flight.
10. Turning performance. Limitations of turning flight.
11. Cruise performance. Range. Endurance.
12. Take-off and landing performance.
13. Flight performance requirements of JAR standards.
Exercise
13 hours, compulsory
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
1. Coordinate systems transformation.
2. Calculation of stall and maximum speeds.
3. Thrust and power diagram calculation.
4. Economic and optimum airspeeds.
5. Gliding flight. Hodograph curve.
6. Gliding flight – effect of wind and altitude.
7. Climbing diagrams.
8. Ceiling calculation.
9. Range and endurance calculation.
10. Steady turning performance calculation.
11. Turning diagrams calculation.
12. Airfield take-off performance.
13. Airfield landing performance.