This module first discusses the operation and effect of primary and secondary aircraft flight controls and aerodynamic devices before moving on to an in depth study of the basic construction of airframes which includes a look at the methods employed to check the accuracy of construction. This is followed by a detailed investigation of all of the aircraft mechanical and electrical systems including but not limited to: electrical power generation and management, flight controls, landing gear, fuel, hydraulic, pneumatics, ice and rain protection, pressurisation, air conditioning, fire and smoke, waste and water, and lighting.
In each case, the depth of study will be sufficient to enable you to describe the layout of each system, explain its operation and interaction with other aircraft systems and, given a period of time to gain some practical experience, determine the serviceability of the system and investigate and identify basic faults in it. Practical maintenance experience, fault-finding techniques and an understanding of maintenance procedures and the appropriate action to be taken in the event of finding defects will be gained from other modules in the programme
The module also examines aircraft instrument systems including: pitot-static for measuring airspeed and altitude, remote and direct reading compasses, gyroscopic flight instruments; and a number of avionic systems including: on-board maintenance, integrated modular avionics, cabin and information.
a) perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities
b) perform functional testing of systems and identify, diagnose and rectify defects.
c) pass aviation authority engineering licence examinations at category B level.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module covers the content of the EASA Part-66 Module 11A - Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems to the category B1.1 licence level.
Topics covered include but are not limited to:
The learning outcomes of this module will be achieved primarily through a series of lectures. The nature of the material in this module restricts the use of "exhibits" in lectures but it does provide a good opportunity to use video and other electronic media to enhance the delivery and raise student interest.
Students will be provided with comprehensive teaching material and a collection of short-answer questions based on the course material. Students will be guided through the theory in class and will be expected to work through the questions in their own time. Feedback from regular, informal in-class tests and a series of summative in-class tests will enable students to gauge their level of knowledge and understanding and will help them to prepare for the summative assessment that takes place at the end of the module. A number of in-class tests are used because of the broad topic-base of the module.
The written coursework associated with this module is an essay rather than a report to give students experience of a different type/style of writing. However, the underlying purpose is to provide students with another opportunity to practice and demonstrate their communication skills and receive feedback; practice and feedback that is intended to prepare students for the more substantial elements of written work that students will be expected to produce in the final year of the programme.
The small group presentation associated with this module provides students with another opportunity to experience group work and an opportunity put to use the feedback they will have received on the previous occasion. The production of the presentation will provide material for the journal and portfolio associated with AE5004 Professional Practice for Aircraft Engineers; and the presentation itself will help to build the confidence of the students in preparation for the individual presentation they will need to deliver as part of the individual project module in the final year of the programme.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures/Tutorials | 120 |
| Guided independent study | 180 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The summative assessment for this module will comprise a portfolio of in-class tests (two 1hr short ans. in-class tests, 10% each), a group presentation and an end-of module examination. The in-class tests will be used to gauge the student's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and will enable teaching staff to manage the teaching and learning. The presentation in this module provides another opportunity to assess the students' ability to work in a team, to produce and deliver a group presentation and presentation skills in. It will also reveal whether or not the students have taken note of the feedback given on the previous presentation.
The end-of -module examination will be a 3hr two-part paper: Part-1 (50%) short answer questions worth 1 to 10 marks each. Part-2 (50%) answer 2 from 3 essay questions.
The in-class tests, presentation and essay will all be formative as well as summative. The results and feedback from the in-class tests will help students to prepare for the final examination and feedback on the group presentation will inform students of how they performed and identify areas of weakness that they need to work on. The feedback also provides feed-forward for assessment that students will have to complete later in the course.
The coursework should also provide material that can be included in the journal and portfolio that students have to produce for AE5004 - Professional Practice for Aircraft Engineers.
Assessment - Aviation Authority Approved programmes
Students completing this module on an aviation authority approved training course will be expected to complete all of the assessment associated with the approved course. A failure to do may result in a loss of the benefits associated with study on an aviation authority approved course.
Details of the assessment students are required to complete on aviation authority approved courses will be given in the relevant course handbook issued at the start of the course. It should be noted that aviation authority assessment will be changed, if and when necessary, to ensure continued compliance with the approval.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Compare and contrast the aerodynamic properties and operation of flight controls and aerodynamic devices. | Coursework. Written examination. |
| 2. Recognise, compare and contrast different construction techniques used for different parts of an airframe and discuss the role of major airframe structural components. | Coursework. Written examination. |
| 3. Explain the operation of typical aircraft instrument systems and discuss the layout and operation of typical avionics systems. | Coursework. Written examination. |
| 4. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of typical aircraft systems sufficient to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities and defect diagnosis and rectification. | Coursework. Written examination. |
| 5. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject matter in the EASA Part-66 syllabus for Aerodynamics, Structures & Systems (module 11). | Coursework. Written examination. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam | Written exam | 50% |
| Portfolio of in-class tests (2 of 10% each) | Written exam | 20% |
| Group presentation | Practical exam | 30% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
The course material supplied by the module teaching team at the start of the module.
Aircraft maintenance manuals, structural repair manuals and troubleshooting manuals.
Jeppesen Sanderson Inc. (2003) A & P Technician Airframe Textbook. 3rd ed. Jeppesen. ISBN-13 978-0884873310
Nelson, R.C. (1998) Flight Stability and Automatic Control. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill International. ISBN-13 978-0071158381
Barnard, R.H. and Philpott, D.R. (2010) Aircraft Flight Harlow, 4th ed. Pearson Prentice-Hall. ISBN-13 978-0273730989
Kermode, A. C. (2012) Mechanics of Flight. 12th ed. Pearson Education.
ISBN-13 978-0273773511
Tooley, M and Wyatt, D (2011) Aircraft Communications and Navigation Systems: Principles, Maintenance and Operation for Aircraft Engineers and Technicians. Routledge. ISBN-13 978-0750681377
Wasson, J.W, (1994) Avionic Systems Operation and Maintenance. Jeppesen.
ISBN-13 9780891004363
Aviation Authority Approval - Course Material
Aviation authorities normally require approved training organisations to produce and maintain training material for the modules associated with the courses they deliver under their approval. Students on aviation authority approved courses will be provided with training material in accordance with the requirements of the approval and the conditions specified by the training organisation. Partner organisations may charge for this material.