Course Title: Introduction To Helicopter Aerodynamics

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: AERO5418

Course Title: Introduction To Helicopter Aerodynamics

School: 130T Engineering (TAFE)

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6011 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Aerospace)

Course Contact : Penggang Wang

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4087

Course Contact Email:penggang.wang@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program leader: Nihal Hana

Telephone: 9925 4523

Email: nihal.hana@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Before attempting this module, the participants should have completed:
VBH 736 Aerodynamics 1

Course Description

The purpose of this module is to provide competency based training in rotary wing aircraft aerodynamics and operational characteristics.

This module also facilitates articulation to Aerospace and Engineering degree courses.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBH741 Introduction to Helicopter Aerodynamics


Learning Outcomes


A participant will be expected to be able to:
• Identify features of aerodynamic components of rotary wing aircraft
• Describe the aerodynamic characteristics that affect rotary wing flight
• Explain the factors that influence helicopter stability
• Describe and compare possible helicopter structures and configurations
• Describe and compare a range of rotor control systems
• Describe and compare torque compensating systems
• Demonstrate the operation of helicopter mechanical and boosted flight control systems
• Analyze common faults, adjustments and rectifications for rotor control systems
• Explain the operational relationships between power train components
• Explain helicopter vibration analysis and rotor balancing (will not be examinable)


Details of Learning Activities

Lectures, case studies, assignment,  and watching demonstrating videos.


Teaching Schedule

• Week 1 aerodynamic components of rotary wing aircraft & aerodynamic characteristics that affect rotary wing flight
• Week 2 helicopter stability
• Week 3 helicopter structures and configurations
•Week 4 rotor control systems
• Week 5 torque compensating systems
• Week 6 helicopter mechanical and boosted flight control systems
• Week 7 faults, adjustments and rectifications for rotor control systems
• Week 8 power train components &helicopter vibration analysis


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Prouty R.W., 1985, Helicopter Aerodynamics PJS Publications Inc.,
• Fay, John, 1987, The Helicopter, History, Piloting and How it Flies,
David and Charles, Newport
• Seddon, J., 1990, Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics, BSP Professional Books, Oxford

. Schafer, Joseph, Basic Helicopter Maintenance. EA--HF-2, International Aviation Pubshing Inc., Casper Wyoming. ISBN 0 89100 281 2.


Other Resources

It is suggested participants utilize the following reference material:
• Internet
• RMIT standard course notes


Overview of Assessment

Participants are required to complete two assessment tasks. The first assessment tasks is an assignment worth 30%. The second assessment task is a closed book exam on helicopter basic aerodynamics worth 70%.


Assessment Tasks

Participants are required to complete two assessment tasks. The first assessment tasks is an assignment worth 30%. The second assessment task is a closed book exam on helicopter basic aerodynamics worth 70%.


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Learning outcomes  
assignment worth 30% (short answers) All (1-9)  
closed book exam (70%) All (1-9)  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview