Vehicle Simulation Laboratory

Courses

Current Courses

Aeroelasticity Aircraft Flight Human Control of Flight Systems

Aeroelasticity

AER503: Aeroelasticity

Static aeroelastic phenomena are studied, including divergence of slender wings and control reversal. Various methods of solution are considered such as closed form, matrix format iteration and the Raleigh-Ritz approach. A study of vibration and flutter of wings and control surfaces is presented with particular emphasis on those parameters which affect flutter speed.

Aircraft Flight

AER302: Aircraft Flight

The objective of this course is to provide students with a physical description of how aircraft fly and the resulting performance of the aircraft. Classical aircraft performance is considered with a primary interest in predicting the flight path of the aircraft's centre of gravity. Dynamic stability is studied using small perturbation analysis to linearise the full non-linear 6 degree-of-freedom flight equations and applying traditional linear stability analysis. Taken as a whole, the course teaches the students how to predict the dynamic and steady state behaviour of rigid fixed-wing aircraft under a range of flight conditions.

Human Control of Flight Systems

AER1211 (Graduate course): Human Control of Flight Systems

The course presents students with a number of methods for analysing combined pilot/aircraft control behaviour. A number of control theoretic pilot models are developed and these models can be combined with a model of the design intent aircraft to study the stability of the combined system. In addition the course provides students with an understanding of the benefits and shortcomings of studying pilot/aircraft handling qualities using a ground based flight simulator.