TITLE Flight Stability and Control MODULE CODE 55-701676 LEVEL 7 CREDITS 15 FACULTY ACES DEPARTMENT Engineering and Mathematics SUBJECT GROUP Thermofluids MODULE LEADER Dr. Jonathan Potts DATE OF APPROVAL November 2015 MODULE AIM This module aims to introduce students to advanced principles and methods of analysing flight stability (longitudinal and lateral, static and dynamic) and response of aircraft in flight, and hence to provide students with an analytical understanding of aircraft manoeuvrability and the required augmented control systems required. MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES LO Learning Outcome 1 Apply the equations of motion of a rigid aircraft referred to moving axes systems and develop and apply relevant aerodynamic derivatives for longitudinal and lateral flight stability analysis 2 Analyse and evaluate aircraft manoeuvring performance characteristics in reference to handling qualities specifications. 3 Design and specify aircraft stability augmentation systems, attitude control systems and guidance systems. INDICATIVE CONTENT Longitudinal and Lateral Static Stability: Pitch stability analysis for a wing-tail combination, stick-fixed neutral point and static margin, contributions of the fuselage, nacelles and propulsion systems. Estimation of the side-wash gradient on vertical tail, roll stability and dihedral effect, roll control and trim requirements, longitudinal-lateral couplings. Longitudinal control and manoeuvrability, control force and trim tabs, stick-free neutral and manoeuvre points, lateral control and manoeuvrability, aileron reversal, stalls and spins. Longitudinal and Lateral Dynamic Stability: Equation of motion, the linearised coupled equations, short and long period approximations, pure pitching motions. Roll, spiral and dutch roll approximations, pure rolling motion, longitudinal-lateral coupling. Aircraft Flight Control Systems Design: Stability augmentation system, pitch attitude control, roll attitude control, flight path control and
guidance ( heading control, VOR/Localiser coupling, attitude control, glide-slope coupling, automatic landing). LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND METHODS Students will be supported in their learning, to achieve the above outcomes, in the following ways: The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and directed study materials, together with, wherever applicable, demonstration sessions using the department's Fight Simulator. The final module mark will be determined as follows: Continuous Assessment: 50%, comprising a substantive small group assignment set out at the start of the module delivery for the students to work through as the module progresses. End of semester written examination: 50%, comprising a two hour unseen paper. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA For a typical pass (50%+), students should demonstrate evidence of: Ability to understand and interpret the relationship between aircraft mission profile and performance, and between flight stability criteria and requirements. Ability to apply fundamental engineering principles to model, evaluate and interpret various elements of aircraft flight performance and stability. Skills to apply constraint analysis using analytical/software based methodology as tools to fulfil specified performance requirements. Ability to analyse relevant flight parameters and evaluate stability boundary for a given aircraft within its flight regime. For a typical first class (70%+), students should demonstrate evidence of: Ability to apply the equations of motion of a rigid aircraft referred to moving axes systems. Ability to develop and apply relevant aerodynamic derivatives for longitudinal and lateral flight stability analysis. Ability to critically analyse and evaluate aircraft manoeuvring performance characteristics in reference to handling qualities specifications. Ability to design and specify aircraft stability augmentation systems, attitude control systems and guidance systems. ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION In Course Assessment 50%, comprising a substantive small group assignment set out at the start of the module delivery for the students to work through as the module progresses. The assessment will require a small group max 4 students to undertake a substantive group task that will entail
Individual element. For Instance for Automatic Landing, many sub systems are required for correct operation In the lateral and longitudinal axes. For Example in the longitudinal axes, Modelling of Aircraft Equations, Pitch Attitude control system, Speed control System, Glide Slope Coupling Unit, Height Control Unit, Use of ILS Markers, Make up a complete system. The Group Responsibility would be to ensure that all systems are integrated for correct System operation, whereas the Individual responsibility would be to ensure correct operation of the Individual system/ s. For Example : Member 1 : Modelling of Aircraft Dynamics Member 2 : Pitch Attitude & Speed Control System Member 3 : Localiser, Glide Slope Unit & Height Control Unit Member 4 : Interface with X-Plane to provide Visualisation & Validation Aircraft Stability and Control elements that can be done, simulated through this approach with three to 4 students Working in a small group are likely to be: a. Longitudinal Instrument Landing System b. Lateral Instrument Landing System c. Longitudinal Stability Augmentation d. Aircraft Dynamics e. PACS f. Ride Control (Normal Acceleration) g. Height Control h. Speed Control i. X-Plane Visualisation/Validation j. Lateral Stability Augmentation k. Aircraft Dynamics l. Roll Control m. Ride Control (Lateral Acceleration) n. Yaw Control o. Speed Control p. X-Plane Visualisation/Validation q. Flight Management System r. Lateral & Longitudinal Dynamics s. Navigation t. Pitch u. Roll v. Yaw w. X-Plane Visualisation/Validation Group work 20%, and Individual contribution 30% of the Max 50% for the Assessment
End of semester written examination: 50%, comprising a two hour unseen paper ASSESSMENT PATTERN - TASK INFORMATION (STANDARD ASSESSMENT MODEL) No.* Description of Assessment Weighting % Word Count or Exam Duration** Subtasks Y/N + IMR^ Y/N 1 Assignment 40 2000 N N N 2 Presentation 10 10 minutes N N N 3 Examination 50 2 hours N N Y ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS MODULE Final Y/N Students will need substantial prior knowledge of flight mechanics and control; this could be shown by passing the Aircraft Flight Mechanics & Simulation and Control & Instrumentation for Aerospace modules FEEDBACK TO STUDENTS Students will receive feedback on their performance in the following ways: Assessed work (except for the examination) with full written feedback will be returned to the students normally within 3 weeks of submission. Further formative feedback will be given by the tutors during tutorials and workshop sessions. LEARNING RESOURCES FOR THIS MODULE (INCLUDING READING LISTS) Lecture and tutorial notes together with assignment brief will be available on the University's Blackboard site. Students will be encouraged to attend demonstration sessions using the department's Flight Simulator. Students should also take their own notes in lectures and tutorials and are encouraged to develop their understanding of the subject by reading recommended texts which should be available from the University library. Suggested Reading List: COOK, M. V. (2013). Flight dynamics principles: a linear systems approach to aircraft stability and control. Butterworth-Heinemann. E-Book- ISBN: 9780080982427 ETKIN, B., and REID, L. D. (1996). Dynamics of flight: stability and control (Vol. 3). New York: Wiley. Print- ISBN: 9780471034186 Mclean, D. (1990). Automatic flight control systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice Hall, 1990, Print-ISBN: ISBN: 9780130540164 PHILLIPS, W. F. (2010). Mechanics of flight. John Wiley & Sons. Print- ISBN: 9780470539750
MODULE STUDY HOURS (KEY INFORMATION SET) Module Study Hours - Breakdown of Hours by Type Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity type* Hours by type KIS category Lecture 18 Scheduled L&T Seminar 18 Scheduled L&T Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities sub-total 36 Guided Independent Study 114 Independent Total Number of Study Hours (based on 10 hours per credit) 150 REVISIONS Date April 2018 Reason Subtask Large Scale modification