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Unit outline_

AERO5400: Advanced Aircraft Design Analysis

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to provide familiarity and understanding with practical aircraft design processes expected in industry, including the evaluation and case studies of existing aircraft designs. Students will gain a better understanding of relevant issues particularly related to the design of aircraft with a level of confidence to lead them to develop new designs or modifications, having a good balance between theory and real-world applications. Good familiarity with unique and stringent international aviation regulations and certification processes will be expected with respect to the design of aircraft. Topics covered by the lectures will include aircraft specifications; aircraft selection and evaluation; aircraft configuration design; design considerations for aerodynamics, structures, systems, manufacture, testing, certification, life-cycle-cost, operations; the use of computational aircraft design tools, and introduction to multidisciplinary design optimisation methods. Projects will be based on case study analyses and evaluation of aircraft types to operational specifications and requirements.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
[(AERO3260 or AERO8260 or AERO9260) and (AERO3460 or AERO8460 or AERO9460) and (AERO3560 OR AERO8560 or AERO9560)] or equivalent study at another institution
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Undergraduate level 1, 2 and 3 or Foundation Masters units in Aerospace Design are expected to have been completed before undertaking this unit

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator KC Wong, kc.wong@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) KC Wong, kc.wong@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Project viva voce
Regular presentation of individual design progress.
15% Multiple weeks ~ 5 hours combined
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Preliminary Design Review
Report and presentation on PDR of sub-system design.
15% Week 08
Due date: 18 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Sep 2024
~5p/student with associated appendices
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation group assignment Design demonstration
Demonstration of aircraft design prototype
10% Week 12
Due date: 23 Oct 2024 at 14:00

Closing date: 23 Oct 2024
~ 3 hours total
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Project report
Aircraft Design project report.
50% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Nov 2024
~20p/student with associated appendices
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Design presentation
In class Presentation of Design
10% Week 13
Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 14:00

Closing date: 02 Oct 2024
~ 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

More detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. The whole semester project is team-based. Individual assessment tasks will also have a significant impact on the progress of the team.

All assessment tasks involve:

  • close interaction with the design team to ensure overall aims of tasks are achieved on schedule;
  • significant and tangible design work progress to meet milestones set by teh collective team;
  • regular individual presentations of design work;
  • written reports need to be of high standard typically expected of professional design engineers; and
  • be prepared to present the work to industry representatives.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard Late Penalties will apply, but any late completion and/or submission of work need to be negotiated with other team members to minimise impact on overall progress of design project.

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
Multiple weeks No Description Independent study (85 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Overview of aircraft design, types and technologies Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 Aircraft design Discussions and Project Definition for this year Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Aircraft systems; Project Work Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Challenges for future aircraft design - unique designs; Project Work Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Challenges for future aircraft design; Project Work Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Design Project Project (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Design project Project (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Design project Project (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Design project- prototype manufacture and testing Project (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Design project - prototype manufacture and testing Studio (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Design project - prototype manufacture and testing Studio (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Design project - prototype evaluation and testing Studio (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Design project - prototype evaluation and testing Studio (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Synchronous class attendance is essential – ongoing progressive assessment in class.

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. interact with colleagues in managing workflow when creating design database
  • LO2. appreciate professional, ethical, and regulatory responsibilities consistent with industry practice
  • LO3. create a design database from commonly available resources
  • LO4. utilise diverse media to communicate design decisions
  • LO5. undertake investigations and formulation of problems, and potential airframe solutions in meeting complex and challenging requirements
  • LO6. design aircraft to meet given requirements
  • LO7. conduct analyses on the impact of design variations to flight performance of aircraft.
  • LO8. Use digital tools for design geometry, analyses, evaluation, and prototype component manufacturing

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 significant changes from previous years. Hands-on experiential learning activities include the prototyping and testing of the designed product.

Hardware prototypes would be expected to be developed and demonstrated. 

Additional costs

Travel to the field work site if required and possible.

Site visit guidelines

If health restrictions permit and subject to staffing and venue availability, the class shall undertake some field work to experience UAV Flight Operations and to flight test the final design prototype. Students will need to travel to the site via shared cars or public transport,

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.