MEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering with Pilot Studies

International students can apply

This course has been awarded accredited status by both the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for 2010 to 2014 intake cohorts and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2009 to 2011 intake cohorts as meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark for registration as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) requirement in full, and the Chartered Engineer (CEng) requirement in part.

Why is accreditation important?

It provides external validation of the degree course content which recognises that it meets both UK and international standards required by the engineering profession.

Professional registration and Institution membership will enhance your career in the following ways:

Access to continuous professional development
Careers advice and employment opportunities
Increased earning potential over the length of your career
International recognition of your qualifications, skills and experience
Evidence of your motivation, drive and commitment to the profession
Networking opportunities

You will develop flight assimilation and air navigation skills in specifically designed subject modules and through the use of the School's fixed and moving base flight simulators.

There is a flight test course just prior to the final year, which is delivered by Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory Centre using their specially instrumented Jetstream 31 aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft will conduct specific manoeuvres during which flight data is gathered for later analysis by the students. This valuable experience allows the students to link practical issues of aircraft behaviour to principles of flight taught in the classroom.

You will undertake experimental and project work throughout the programme, including a significant personal project in the final year.

Structure

Year one

Aviation Business Enterprise

This module will introduce you to the history of air transport systems leading to the current state of the aviation business

You will study topics such as the:

Evolution of surface transportation systems - roadways, railways and waterways.
Beginnings of air transport - first generation airships and winged flying machines.
Development of technologies relating to improvements in civilian and military aircraft designs.
Passenger facility enhancements such as in-flight catering, conveniences and entertainment.
Birth of the modern airliner leading to the demise of the airships and the ocean liners.

Engineering Materials & Electrical Systems

In this module you will develop an understanding of the basic properties and applications of materials and of the principles of electronic and electrical engineering. This will include learning about the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of materials, mechanisms of corrosion and corrosion protection, the principles of electronic and electrical engineering, and the response of electrical elements in circuits to d.c. or a.c. supplies.

Engineering Mathematics

An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in engineering subjects. This module will review and expand on the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with emphasis on their applications to engineering

Engineering Structures & Engineering Dynamics

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of structural behaviour and the nature of stress and strain and provide you with a foundation in engineering dynamics, allowing you to tackle simple engineering problems, and preparing the you for subsequent modules.

Engineering Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics

You will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of Engineering Thermodynamics and be given a introduction to the subject of Fluid Mechanics in this module. Skills in handing thermodynamic concepts enabling the definition and analysis of thermodynamic systems are vitally important to the mechanical engineer.

Principles of Air Navigation & Meteorology for Aviation

In this module you will gain proficiency and knowledge in the planning of multiple leg flight plans and build awareness and experience of aviation meteorology. On completion you should have developed skills including practical knowledge of operational procedures; requirements for safe and adequate flight planning; understanding requirements for time planning; the principles of aviation meteorology; and be able to make rational assessments for flight safety by interpreting synoptic weather forecasts.

Year Two

Engineering Mathematics E2

This module will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing an advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis, and enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis, Laplace transforms and functions of a complex variable.

Safety Assessment in Aviation & Human Factors and Crew Resource Management

The aims of this module are for you to:

develop an in depth knowledge of aviation safety issues;
use and evaluate analysis so you can anticipate and alleviate safety risks in aviation;
develop an understanding of Human Factors and CRM to optimise capability to operate in a safe and efficient aviation environment.

Aerodynamics E2

Topics and concepts covered in this module include fluid mechanics, boundary layer theory, sources of drag in particular aircraft drag, thin aerofoil theory, lifting line theory as it applies to the aerodynamic analysis of unswept wings in low speed flow and the apparatus used and techniques employed in wind tunnel testing.

Flight Systems

In this module you will learn the basic principles and theory of statics and dynamics as related to the static and dynamic behaviour of an aircraft and the theory of flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.

Route Planning and Navigation Systems

This module will introduce the theory of business economics in route planning. You will learn the techniques and methodologies used for navigating an aircraft using modern navigation aids

Aircraft Structures

On completion of this module you will be able to establish the integrity of typical basic structural aircraft components and explain the process of material selection for the structural items of an aircraft.

Year Three

Aerodynamics

This module is concerned with the analysis of gas turbine engines as used in aircraft propulsion and high speed aerodynamics. Emphasis is placed on the aerodynamic and thermodynamic aspects which influence the performance of a given engine design. Wherever possible, data for actual aircraft engines is used to support the analysis.

Aircraft Design Enterprise

In this module you will learn about aircraft design, including detailed refinement of component design and major interactions that have a crucial influence on the overall effectiveness of the design. You will study the interactive nature of aircraft design, including business and commercial influences, and be able to report outcomes effectively. On completion you should also have an appreciation of market requirements in the design process.

Avionics

This module will give you an in depth knowledge of avionic systems currently fitted to modern aircraft, including communication, flight instruments, flight management, automatic flight, warning and recording and passenger systems.

Flight Systems

Following on from Flight Systems module in your second year, you will develop a deeper understanding of the theory of statics and dynamics and flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.

Industrial Management and Project Preparation

This module has two main components. Industrial management in which you will be introduced to the commercial issues which must be addressed by engineering businesses, and the principles of quality management systems. Project preparation which will develop your ability to work independently, become competent in analysing and assessing the value of information and develop effective communication skills both written and orally.

Final Year Project

The aim of the Final Year Project is to develop your ability to work with a significant degree of independence on a structured programme of activity. You should demonstrate your competency in analysing and assessing the value of information derived from the programme, be able to communicate effectively (both through written reports and orally) the details of the programme and conclusions that can be drawn together with suggestions of further work.

Year Four

Aerodynamics

This module introduces you to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods for the numerical prediction of aerodynamic flows.

You will study finite-difference and finite-volume techniques, the vortex-lattice method, the modern CFD method for the prediction of transonic aerofoil flows and be give an introduction to the requirements for turbulence modelling and review classes of turbulence models.

Finite Element Analysis

This module concentrates on finite element analysis as a tool for the solution of practical engineering problems. The finite element method is based on the premise that a complex structure can be broken down into finitely many smaller pieces (elements), the behaviour of which is known or can be predicted. These elements can then be assembled to model the behaviour of the full structure.

Flight Dynamics and Control

Gives a comprehensive understanding and systematic understanding of knowledge in the analysis of flight dynamics and the design of flight control systems.

Aerospace Assembly

This module looks at the processes associated with the assembly of very large aircraft structures, including the techniques of forming, joining and fixturing. You will be taught about the relevant regulatory and design standards that have to be met and the processes that must be used to ensure conformity with those standards.

Flight Simulation

The aim of this module is for you to obtain an in-depth understanding of the specification, technologies and use of flight simulation systems as they may be used in the aviation industry.

The module will be taught by a series of lectures supported by practical activities using the three flight simulators