Module Code - Title:
ME4124
-
FLIGHT DYNAMICS LABORATORY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
ME4726
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To build on the theoretical teaching of flight mechanics and aircraft stability & control by demonstrating how the performance and handling qualities of a real aeroplane can be measured and the data reduced to a form that describes the fundamental flight characteristics of an aeroplane.
Syllabus:
• aircraft flight test methodologies and data reduction
• determination of lift and drag
• air data system calibration
• airplane range and endurance
• longitudinal static and dynamic stability
• lateral-directional static and dynamic stability
• aircraft handling and flying qualities
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On completion of this structured flight laboratory short course students will be able to:
• Conduct airplane performance data reduction and analysis of actual flight test data.
• Understand the connection between theoretical performance analysis of aircraft and actual aircraft behaviour in a real atmospheric environment
• Understand the significance of longitudinal and lateral-directional static stability of the airplane in terms of airplane flight and handling characteristics.
• Identify the characteristics associated with the five classical airplane stability modes (i.e. SPPO, phugoid, roll damping, spiral and dutch roll).
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On completion of this structured flight laboratory short course students will be able to:
• Appreciate the complexities of flight test data acquisition.
• Appreciate the link between mathematical modelling of aircraft dynamic stability modes and airplane behaviour in flight that is, being able to interpret eigenvalue solutions to the stability characteristic equations in terms of airplane stability modes (i.e. time period and damping).
• Appreciate aeroplane handling qualities.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will largely be taught as a short course at Shannon airport over three or four days in conjunction with the National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC), Cranfield University, U.K. The classroom element will include a series of lectures, pre-flight briefings and post-flight debriefings. The in-flight laboratory exercises will be conducted in a specialised aircraft operated by the NFLC. The principles of flight testing will be demonstrated, and the performance, stability and control of the aircraft will be illustrated by means of structured flight exercises. The flight tasks will be controlled from the supervisor's work station and each of the student work stations will be presented, real time, with the selected data regarding the atmosphere and the aircraft's flight characteristics. Each student will be required to prepare a comprehensive laboratory report.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Trevor Young ()
Flight Mechanics lecture notes, ME4726
, UL
Kermode, A.C. (2015)
Mechanics of Flight, 12th ed.
, Pearson
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MEAEENTFA - AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
BEAEENUFA - AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
trevor.young@ul.ie