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Unit outline_

AERO4460: Aerospace Design 3

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to develop an understanding of the application of design to the modern aerospace industry. Students will gain an overview of how to manage a design team and will also gain skills in carrying out detailed design problems. Course content will include: Design requirements; Sources of information for aircraft design; Configuration design: performance, weight and balance, propulsion; Aerodynamic design: lift, drag and control; Structural design: loads, materials; Philosophies of design and analysis; System design: requirements and specification; System design procedures; systems integration.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AERO3260 and AERO3261 and AERO3360 and (AERO2460 or AERO3460) and AERO3560
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

AERO1400 and AERO2703 and AERO3465

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Dries Verstraete, dries.verstraete@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Presentation/seminar
presentation on reports. presentations in weeks 4,7,10 and 13
15% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Small continuous assessment group assignment Meeting minutes
minutes of weekly meetings
5% Multiple weeks up to 3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment group assignment Initial proposal
initial proposal
5% Week 02
Due date: 28 Feb 2024 at 17:00
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7
Assignment group assignment Preliminary design
report on configuration selection and initial sizing
10% Week 04
Due date: 13 Mar 2024 at 17:00
15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Detailed design solutions
report on detailed design solutions
15% Week 07
Due date: 10 Apr 2024 at 17:00
no page limit,
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Detailed design solutions 2
report on detailed design solutions
15% Week 10
Due date: 01 May 2024 at 17:00
no page limit
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Final design report
final report covering all the work in the entire semester
35% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 17:00
100 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Initial proposal: This is the mandatory initiation component to allocate groups and define project specifications.
  • Preliminary design: Report to detail the design approach to be used. Definition of mission requirements and summary of vehicle parameters to meet these. Identification of certification requirements.
  • Detailed design solutions: Component design report (detailed design solutions 1 and 2). Analysis of components to suit requirements and justification of selections and proof of methodology. Analysis of remaining aircraft components. Iterative review of previous design to correct or make improvements.
  • Final design report: Complete summary of the vehicle design, including a detailed explanation of mission requirements, all relevant aircraft components, certification requirements, operational requirements, costings. Iterative refinement of previous design reports.
  • Presentation/seminar: Four presentations on the design and processes used to obtain them.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction; administration and report structures; RFP Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 02 The design process; aircraft configurations; sizing and constraint analysis; aircraft design software Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Aerodynamics; propulsion; certification; extended weight Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 04 Reporting and presentation structure, Q&A before report 1 (presentations and feedback) Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Analysis tools; control surfaces; C.G. balancing; stability and control Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Unique or patentable features; aircraft structural design; aircraft design example Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Group update, outline for reports 2, 3 and 4; engineering drawing; undercarriage design Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Critical features, internal structure and layout; materials Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 09 Group progress update, Q&A session Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Final report overview and previous projects comparison; costings Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 1. Presentation feedback; 2. Design presentations Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 1. Poster and model review; 2. Q&A session Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 13 1. Presentations and feedback; 2. Final instructions for report and presentation Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Weekly weekly revision and preparation. Approximately 5 hours per week Independent study (65 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Class attendance is expected for all "lectorials" on Monday and Thursday. The sessions are run very interactively, and a large portion of the class time will be devoted to interactions between the teaching staff and the group.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. coordinate tasks and deadlines within a structured workgroup
  • LO2. incorporate ethical considerations in the design of an aircraft
  • LO3. write and present professional reports
  • LO4. develop interdisciplinary aerospace solutions
  • LO5. introduce and evaluate novel solutions to overcome problems encountered in this process
  • LO6. conceive, analyse and design an operational aerospace vehicle based on a set of narrow initial requirements
  • LO7. appraise the suitability of various aircraft types and design concepts
  • LO8. apply prior learning to overall aerospace design procedures
  • LO9. understand certification and regulatory requirements that apply in this industry.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.