• Semester 2 (Day)

Synopsis

A  knowledge  of  aerodynamics is of fundamental importance  to  those
engaged in aircraft maintenance and modification.  It allows an under-
standing  of  the engineering consequences which may result  from  the
deliberate  or  inadvertant transgression  of  the  design  parameters
during  the operations of the aircraft, providing a basis on which  to
develop appropriate inspection procedures.

An  understanding  of aerodynamic forces enables modifications  to  be
carried  out which do not create an unacceptable risk to the  aircraft
or crew.

This unit is in three parts.  Part 1 deals with traditional fixed wing
aerodynamics from the one dimensional flow of an incompressible  fluid
through  to  the  flow  over  the  three  dimensional  aircraft  in  a
compressible  fluid.  Part 2 deals with the make up of the  helicopter
and  the  variation to aerodynamics theory required to understand  its
operation.  Part  3  deals  with  the  future  in  terms  of  compound
helicopters and tilt rotor aircraft.