MECH ENG 4108 - Aircraft Design

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This a specialised course dedicated to Aircraft Design. In this course you will learn about Aircraft design methodology, Technical task preparation, team working, Aircraft design organisation, Aircraft weight calculation, mission fuel weight, Sensitivity analysis, Standard requirements, First estimation of aircraft design parameters, Sizing, Drag polar estimation at low speed, Matching diagram, Aircraft three view and drawings, Overall configuration design, Fuselage design, Propulsion system selection and integration, Wing design considerations, Empennage design considerations, Landing gear design and integration, Weight and balance analysis, Stability and control analysis. The material is presented in a combination of lectures, tutorials, hands-on laboratory sessions, and a group design project.

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Course Details

Course Code	MECH ENG 4108
Course	Aircraft Design
Coordinating Unit	Mechanical Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	MECH ENG 3101, MECH ENG 3100
Assessment	Assignments, Project, Laboratory Report, Final Exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Maziar Arjomandi

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Complete conceptual design of different types of aircraft;
2	Choose the required decisions during the total design cycle of an aircraft including conceptual, preliminary and detail design;
3	Discuss performance and stability analysis of different types of aircraft;
4	Explain the hierarchical models in aircraft design as a multi-disciplinary design objective and utilise a system approach to design and operational performance;
5	Discuss the design phases of an aircraft;
6	Explain the method of preparation design tasks and technical reports;
7	Calculate total weight and weight fractures of an aircraft;
8	Evaluate sensitivity analysis of design parameters;
9	Perform and understand sizing of an aircraft;
10	Explain layout design of different aircraft;

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
B	B	B	B	C	C	B	C	C	B	B	C	C	C	B	B

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-10
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-10
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1-10
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Course notes – these are essential and required.

J. Roskam, Airplane Design I & II, 2nd Edition, 1989

Recommended Resources

Jan Roskam, Airplane Design , part III-VIII, 2002

John Anderson, Aircraft Performance and Design, 1999

Darrol Stinton, The Design of the Aeroplane, 2003

Daniel Raymer, Aircraft Design (a conceptual approach),1999
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

As per university recommendations, it is expected that students spend 48hrs/week during teaching periods, and that a 3 unit course has a minimum workload of 156 hours regardless of the length of the course. Additional time may need to be spent acquiring assumed knowledge, working on assessment during non-teaching periods, and preparing for and attending examinations.

Learning Activities Summary

1. Introduction and Review – 5%

1.1. Course organization and policies

1.2. Review of “Aeronautical Engineering I” course

1.3. Course and design project topics

2. Weight Estimation – 20%

2.1. Weight equation

2.2. Aircraft mission diagram

2.3. Determination of payload weight
2.4. Determination of mission fuel weight
2.5. Empty weight estimation

3. Sensitivity studies – 10%

3.1. Sensitivity of takeoff weight to payload weight

3.2. Sensitivity of takeoff weight to empty weight

3.3. Sensitivity of takeoff weight to performance parameters

4. Sizing – 30%

4.1. Drag polar estimation

4.2. Sizing to stall speed requirements

4.3. Sizing to takeoff distance requirements
4.4. Sizing to landing distance requirements
4.5. Sizing to climb requirements
4.6. Sizing to manoeuvring requirements
4.7. Matching of all sizing requirements

5. Configuration Design – 35%

5.1. Selection of the overall configuration

5.2. Method of choosing overall configuration

5.3. Design of cockpit and fuselage layout
5.4. Selection and integration of the propulsion system
5.5. Wing planform design
5.6. Empennage sizing
5.7. Control surface sizing
5.8. Landing gear sizing and disposition
5.9. Weight and balance analysis

Specific Course Requirements

NONE

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Laboratory (Flight Simulator Laboratory)	10	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12	35%	1. 6. 8. 9. 10.
Project	30	Group	Summative	Week 12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Assignments	20	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Two quizzes	40	Individual	Summative	Week 8 and Week 12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 2.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Detail

The solutions to the assignments will be reviewed and marked by the course tutor/s according to the marking rubric. The solutions will be available to the students on MyUni after the submission date. The group project will be marked based on 50% group mark and 50% individual contribution using a peer assessment method. The project assessment rubric is presented below:

Section/Criteria	Mark (total 100)
1- External design	/10
2- Weight calculation	/5
3- Matching diagram	/10
4- Configuration design	/15
5- Drawings	/20
6- Format and clarity	/15
7- Research activities	/10
8- Completeness	/15

Submission

Unless otherwise specified, submission of assignments and laboratory reports will be made through MyUni.

Extensions for assignments will only be given in exceptional circumstances and a case for this with supporting documentation must be made align with the MACA policy.

Assignments will be assessed and returned within 4 weeks from submission (usually significantly less). There will be no opportunities for re-submission of work of unacceptable standard. Due to the large class size, feedback on assignments will be limited to in-class discussion resulting from questions from students.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
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