Aircraft Flight Principle/Flight Mechanics

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. discuss kinematics and dynamics of a 3D rigid body; 2. formulate and provide numerical solution of flight dynamics equations of motion; 3. explain the concepts of static and dynamic stability of aerospace systems; 4. locate of the elastic axis vs aerodynamic center; 5. explain the concepts of divergence and stability with a single DOF model; 6. highlight sweep effects; 7. explain the concept of flutter with a pitch/plunge model; and 8. manage relevant applications to aerospace systems.

An introduction to airplane flight mechanics. Airframe anatomy. Engine anatomy. Equations of motion. Trajectory analysis. Stability and control. Aircraft sizing and simulation. 3DOF equations of motion: Assumptions and coordinate systems; kinematic equations; dynamic equations; weight equation; discussion of 3DOF equations; quasi-steady flight; three- dimensional flight; flight over a spherical earth; and flight in a moving atmosphere. Atmosphere: standard atmosphere and exponential atmosphere. 300 Level