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Mechanics of Flight

When you'll study it
Semester 2
CATS points
15
ECTS points
7.5
Level
Level 5
Module lead
Sergio Araujo-Estrada
Academic year
2025-26

Module overview

This module further develops the fundamental concepts underpinning aircraft flight, stability, and control. The focus is initially on capturing the aerodynamic behaviour of lifting and control surfaces within simple mathematical models leading to simple equations of motion for a rigid aircraft. Ideas of equilibrium and trim are captured by determining the steady control inputs needed to fly simple steady trajectories, including static stability, and drag optimality. These concepts are extended into three-dimensions using ideas of motion as a geometric transformation leading to complete state space formulations. Linearization about a steady trajectory leads to linear state space models, characteristic motions and dynamic stability, response to gusts, stability augmentation, and linear control. Lectures are complemented by problem classes.

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: SESA1015 and SESA2022