Introduction to Aircraft Aerodynamics

Short course/CPD

Introduction to Aircraft Aerodynamics

Course date: 11 Jun 2012 - 13 Jun 2012

Course overview

The Introduction to Aircraft Aerodynamics short course is a blend of lectures and laboratory demonstrations, designed to give specialists in fields other than aerodynamics a basic knowledge of the physical characteristics of fluid flows and an understanding of the principal characteristics on which aircraft flight depends. Emphasis throughout the course is on a non-mathematical explanation of the physical processes involved. A coordinated programme of demonstrations using the wide range of wind tunnel facilities within the College of Aeronautics is used to complement the lectures.

Location

Cranfield University is located at the very heart of the UK – within the innovation triangle between London and the cities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Our central location provides easy access from the M1, excellent main line rail service as well as proximity to key international airports. Set in rolling countryside, Cranfield offers a rich, rural landscape complemented by thriving towns and picturesque villages.

Road: We are just 10 minutes from Junctions 13 & 14 of the M1 motorway. There is free parking on campus.
Rail: Milton Keynes or Bedford
Air: London Luton (22 miles), Heathrow (50 miles) or Birmingham (70 miles).

View our location maps.

Course fee:

£835

Accommodation fee:

£267

£480

Accommodation is on a full-board basis from the evening before the course commences until the afternoon of the last day. The course fee includes refreshments and lunch during the day. The accommodation fee includes all other meals. Details of accommodation will be provided in the delegate information pack.

How to register

Further information

For more information on this course or booking details please contact:
Academic Operations Unit
T: + 44 (0) 1234 754192
E: shortcourse@cranfield.ac.uk

Course Booking Conditions

Course description

Who should attend?

Delegates come from a variety of backgrounds. Whilst there are no specific academic requirements an engineering or scientific background of at least A Level standard should be considered the minimum
Directors and Senior Management - involved directly or indirectly with aircraft design, manufacture or operations
Aircraft Manufacturers - in particular those involved in managing projects, perhaps from a non-aerospace background
Financial Community - insurance, banks, finance houses, stockbrokers and leasing companies, dealing with airlines and aerospace companies
Government Representatives - with an interest in projects involving aircraft design or procurement.

Course objectives

Provide an understanding of the principals and characteristics on which aircraft flight depends
Illustrate those principals through practical demonstrations
Provide a forum for discussion and a shared learning experience in an exclusively aeronautical environment.

Content summary

Basic concepts:

Introduction to characteristics of air flows around streamlined and bluff bodies
variation of aerodynamic force and moment coefficients for simple low speed aerofoil sections - the influence of incidence, thickness and camber.

Demonstrations:

- Analysis of flow fields in the smoke flow visualisation wind tunnel and the pressure distribution around an aerofoil.

Aerodynamic forces:

Relationship between circulation and lift
Wing tip flows, vortex drag and the influence of aspect ratio and downwash
Introduction to viscous flows and boundary layer concepts
The causes of transition. Definition and significance of Reynolds number.

Demonstrations

- Measurement of aerofoil forces and moments, circulation and the analysis of a flat plate boundary layer.

Aerofoils and wings:

Aerofoil stall
High lift devices
Influence of wing sweep, taper and twist
The effects of camber and sweepback on low speed flow characteristics.

Demonstrations

- Variation of aerofoil forces and surface pressures during the stall
- The flow characteristics of slender wings and water tunnel flow visualisation of wing tip flows.

Supersonic flows:

General introduction to supersonic flows and the formation of shock waves
Prandtl-Meyer expansions
Characteristics of supersonic aerofoil sections. Supersonic wings - the influence of planform, aspect ratio and Mach number
Controls at supersonic speeds.

Demonstrations

- Shock wave propagation and Schlieren flow visualisation in both supersonic and transonic wind tunnels.

Transionic flows: