FLIGHT TEST COURSE
Course Unit
- Level: 1
- Credit rating: 5
- Degrees: Aerospace Engineering (BEng, MEng)
- Pre-requisites:
ME-1003 (Mechanics of Flight)
ME-2006 (Aircraft Performance, Systems and Control)
Next Year’s Course
Starting date is Monday, March 29, 2004, at 9:00, George Begg Building, UMIST.
Course Objectives
This is a practical course to measure the performances and handling qualities of an aircraft (twin turboprop JetStream 31). Flight tests will take place over a 3 or 4 day period from Liverpool Airport.
During the course the students will:
- Calculate the true airspeed of the aircraft (allowing for instrument error)
- Determine lift and drag characteristics of the aircraft
- Calculate the speeds for minimum power, minimum drag, best range and endurance
- Estimate the aircraft neutral and manoeuvre points (control fixed and controls free)
- Assess the lateral and directional stability of the aircraft
- Apply the airworthiness requirements to determine the centre of gravity
Course Outline
- Course ran with the National Flying Laboratory Centre (Cranfield Univ.)
- 2 flights/student (each flight lasts 45-50 minutes)
- 1st Flight: Drag and Aircraft Performances
- 2nd Flight: Longitudinal Static and Manoeuvre Stability
- 1 lecture on flight safety
- 1 lecture on Drag and Aircraft Performances
- 1 lecture on Longitudinal Static and Manoeuvre Stability
- 1 lecture to review and discuss the results of the flight tests
Literature
- Experimental Mechanics of Flight, Cranfield University of Technology.
- Additional Literature for the enthusiasts (http://aerodyn.org/Resources/flight.html)
Assessment
- Report on the week’s experiment with combination of all group’s results
- [NO marks are added to 2nd Year Mark]
- Successful completion is awarded 5 Bonus Credits and is recognized with Diploma (required for accreditation from the Royal Aeronautical Society).
- Please remember: No Report, No Diploma.
Rules of Conduct in the Class Room
- Mobile telephones are to be switched off at all times.
- Students are expected to be punctual and lectures to start on time.
- The instructor expects silence from the students.
- Background noise will not be tolerated.
- Horseplay and willful misconduct have no place in the class room.
- No Smoking, No Drinking, No Eating.
- No newspapers on your desk.
- Learn More on the Students Chart.
Rules of Conduct at the Airfield
- Students are to be ready for embarking the aircraft at the time given: there will be no delays caused by people not present at the check in.
- Students who have missed the flight safety instructions will NOT be allowed to fly.
- Students who have not registered and signed the insurance form will NOT be allowed to fly.
Other Notices
- Students having particular medical conditions are advised to report to their doctor. Decision on whether to fly will be taken by the staff on the basis of a medical note.
- Personal life insurance cover is provided for this course alone. Students concerned about insurance are advised to contact their own insurance company.
- Actual flight take-offs may depend on local air traffic control
- Actual weather conditions may cause delays or last minute cancellations
