MEC462: Aviation Safety and Aeroelasticity

This module supports the development of the professional skills sought in aviation safety and aeroelasticity professionals, so students can become future leaders in this area.

Dr Jose Curiel-Sosa, Module Lead

Module Description
This module covers the area of engineering related to safety in the aerospace sector by means of analytical techniques and study cases. 

Students will: develop a fundamental knowledge of the requirements for aviation safety in aircraft design and operation, learn about airworthiness and crashworthiness evaluate aircraft loading; be able to analyse different manoeuvres using heave/pitch aircraft models; and be able to calculate internal loads for steady and dynamic manoeuvres. 

The course will provide students with an understanding of aeroelastic phenomena including flutter. This course provides the methodology and techniques for prediction/detection of a number of aeroelastic effects.

Required Prior Knowledge
If you haven't already learnt about the following subjects, you will struggle to pass this module:
1. Aerodynamics.
2. A previous understanding and knowledge of tensor algebra and differential equations is desirable.

Teaching Methods
Teaching is based on active learning techniques in the classroom:

• Interactive questioning and discussion

• Real-time quizzes via audience response systems (ARS) technology

• Small problem-solving to check the understanding • Short-discussion in pairs, etc.

• Independent learning

Assessment Methods
• 100% Exam: Assessing application of procedures and methods.

Module Aims

• Provide students with an understanding of aviation safety principles as applied to the process of aircraft design and production.

• Equip students in modelling aeroelastic phenomena

• Enable students to compare and formulate ‘internal loads’ approaches for modelling within an industrial context.