Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop an understanding of aircraft longitudinal equilibrium, static stability, dynamic stability and response. Students will develop an understanding of the importance and significance of flight stability, will gain skills in dynamic system analysis and will learn mathematical tools used for prediction of aircraft flight behaviour. Students will gain skills in problem solving in the area of flight vehicle motion, and learn the fundamentals of flight simulation. At the end of this unit students will be able to understand: aircraft flight conditions and equilibrium; the effects of aerodynamic and propulsive controls on equilibrium conditions; the significance of flight stability and its impact of aircraft operations and pilot workload; the meaning of aerodynamic stability derivatives and their sources; the effects of aerodynamic derivatives on flight stability; the impact of flight stability and trim on all atmospheric flight vehicles. Students will also be able to model aircraft flight characteristics using computational techniques and analyse the aircraft equations of rigid-body motion and to extract stability characteristics. Course content will include static longitudinal aircraft stability: origin of symmetric forces and moments; static and manoeuvring longitudinal stability, equilibrium and control of rigid aircraft; aerodynamic load effects of wings, stabilisers, fuselages and power plants; trailing edge aerodynamic controls; trimmed equilibrium condition; static margin; effect on static stability of free and reversible controls.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AMME9500
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AERO8560
Assumed knowledge ?	Mathematics, Physics and Dynamics assumed knowledge at the level of Bachelor of Science or equivalent
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Anne Bettens, anne.bettens@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Anne Bettens, anne.bettens@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam 2hr exam during exam period	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1: Coordinate systems and transformations Technical report. This assignment should take the average student 10 hours.	10%	Week 04 Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Sep 2024	Maximum of 6 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2: Longitudinal flight stability and control Technical report. This assignment should take the average student 20 hours.	15%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Oct 2024	Maximum of 12 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mid semester quiz Mid-semester quiz in class	10%	Week 09	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3: Flight simulation and stability analysis major project Technical report. This assignment should take the average student 30 hours.	25%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Nov 2024	Maximum of 30 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Application of coordinate systems and reference frame transformations to aircraft orientation and attitude.
Assignment 2: Application of longitudinal stability analysis to a full aircraft configuration.
Assignment 3: Major project on flight simulation and handling qualities. Peer assessment will be used to determine each student’s final mark.
Final Exam: 2hr exam during exam period on content from lectures and tutorials.

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
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:

The penalty for lateness is 5% per day. The penalty would apply from the next calendar day after the deadline. The penalty is a percentage of the available mark and is applied to the mark gained after the submitted work is marked (e.g., an assignment worth 100 marks is 1 day late. The content is given a mark of 75. With the 5% penalty, the final mark is 70).

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Independent study throughout semester to prepare for classes and work on assignments.	Independent study (90 hr)
Week 01	1. Basic aerodynamic relationships 2. Axis systems and state variable definitions 3. Aircraft component and control identification 4. Aircraft axis and state definitions	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	1. General nonlinear equations of motion in six DOF 2. General equations of aircraft motion cont'd 3. Moments and products of inertia	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	1. Introduction to stability concepts 2. Mean aerodynamic chord and aerodynamic centre 3. Wing contribution to longitudinal stability 4. Equilibrium and phase plane concepts 5. Aerodynamic forces and moments	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 04	1. Control effects on equilibrium 2. Neutral point and static margin 3. Total longitudinal stability 4. Contribution of the tail 5. Longitudinal aircraft stability	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 05	1. Stick forces and trim 2. Stick-fixed and stick-free stability 3. Longitudinal aircraft stability cont'd	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 06	1. Manoeuvre stability 2. Longitudinal stability review	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 07	1. Lateral-directional stability 2. Lateral-directional equilibrium	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 08	1. Linear equations of motion 2. Linearisation about an equilibrium 3. Linearised equations of aircraft motion	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 09	1. Order and flow of simulation tasks 2. State-space representations. Flight simulation architectures and procedures 3. Integration techniques 4. Time-domain solution of equations of motion	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 10	1. Eigenvector and Argand diagrams 2. Eigenvalues and modes of motions 3. Lateral-directional equations of motion 4. Longitudinal equations of motion 5. Relationships with time-domain behaviour 6. Longitudinal and lateral-directional motion subsystems	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 11	1. Root locus 2. Modal approximations	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 12	1. Handling qualities	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 13	1. Unit review	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)

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.

Required readings

Reference 1:

Title: Airplane Flight Dynamics and Automatic Flight Controls
Author/s: Roskam, J.
Publisher: Roskam Aviation and Engineering Corporation
Publish Year: 1982/1997

Reference 2:

Title: Dynamics of Atmospheric Flight
Author/s: Etkin, B.
Publisher: Dover Publications
Publish Year: 2012

Reference 3:

Title: Dynamics of Flight: Stability and Control
Author/s: Etkin, B. Reid, L.D.
Edition: 3rd
Publisher: Wiley
Publish Year: 1996

Reference 4:

Title: Flight Stability and Automatic Control
Author/s: Nelson, R. C.
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Publish Year: 1998

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Demonstrate capabilities in written communication through preparation of reports.
LO2. Demonstrate developed skills in group interaction and interactive problem solving.
LO3. Analyse the aircraft equations of rigid-body motion and extract stability characteristics.
LO4. Model aircraft flight characteristics using computational techniques.
LO5. Understand aircraft flight conditions and equilibrium.
LO6. Understand the effects of aerodynamic and propulsive controls on equilibrium conditions.
LO7. Understand the significance of flight stability and its impact on aircraft operations and pilot workload.
LO8. Understand the meaning of aerodynamic stability derivatives and their sources.
LO9. Understand the effects of aerodynamic derivatives on flight stability.
LO10. Understand the impact of flight stability and trim on all atmospheric flight vehicles.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Changes to the assessment schedule have been made to reduce the number of submissions throughout the semester. Length of submissions has also been slightly reduced.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

AERO9560: Flight Mechanics 1

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect