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Aircraft Systems

  • Module code: Aircraft Systems
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 5
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module is designed to give you a broad understanding of the operation of the major systems typically found on an aircraft. It will use a systems engineering perspective to look at the interaction of the systems. It will also review the maintenance requirements of these systems and more generally how aircraft maintenance is planned, delivered and regulated.

Aims

  • To ensure that students have a working knowledge of all of the systems typically seen on civilian aircraft and can use terminology correctly
  • To show how the principles taught in level 4 can be applied to aircraft systems
  • To familiarize students with the requirements for maintaining airworthiness of aircraft and the licensing of maintenance personnel

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Sketch a schematic diagram of typical aircraft electrical, hydraulic, air conditioning, propulsion and control systems and explain the operation of major components.
  2. Apply the principles learned in level 4 to evaluate the operation of aircraft systems.
  3. Explain the maintenance requirements of major aircraft systems.
  4. Describe the regulation of airworthiness and the licensing of aircraft maintenance personnel
  5. Assess the operation of maintenance production and aircraft maintenance schedules

Curriculum content

  • Systems engineering
  • Electrical system
  • Hydraulic system
  • Fuel system
  • Flight control system
  • Engine control system
  • Environmental control system
  • Aircraft maintenance planning
  • Continuing airworthiness
  • Personnel licensing

Teaching and learning strategy

The learning outcomes will be achieved through a combination of: interactive lectures, tutorials, case studies and independent study.

The interactive lectures will be used to present the key ideas considered in the module. These will be primarily lecturer led, but since the whole group is relatively small, whole group and small group discussion will be included. The overall architecture of the various systems will be considered and examples of how these can be considered using the engineering science learned at level 4 will be presented. This will provide an opportunity to consolidate the principles learned at level 4. It will also ensure students have a clear appreciation of the real world engineering of these systems.

The tutorials will give students an opportunity to work through a structured set of problems with support readily available. They will be encouraged to work together in small learning sets to enhance their learning. The tutorials will also be used for mock tests for students to regularly gauge their level of understanding. Formative feedback will be given immediately after these tests. The tests will be marked but not contribute to the final module grade. Individual students will be monitored and Personal Tutors notified if serious concerns are raised.

The scheduled case studies will involve pre-reading and discussion. These discussions will initially be led by the teaching team but in TB2, these will be student led. These will form the basis for the mini project coursework.

A significant element of this module is guided independent study. Much of this will be spent on working through a structured set of problems and preparing and reviewing the case studies. A set of milestones will be issued at the start of the module to enable students to monitor their progress on the module.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Interactive Lectures Tutorials Case studies 44 20 40
Guided independent study Individual study 196
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Summative assessment is through a portfolio of three short analytical reports, a group mini-project based on a case study and an end-of-module examination. Each of the short reports will typically be 3-4 pages of A4. These will be spread throughout the year and feedback will be provided in time for students to reflect on the feedback and incorporate it into subsequent reports. The mini-project will require students to look in depth at one system and the examination will cover the range of systems.

Formative assessment on the analytical techniques will be provided through mock class tests to enable students to gauge their level of understanding of the module material.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1. Sketch a schematic diagram of typical aircraft electrical, hydraulic, air conditioning, propulsion and control systems and explain the operation of major components. Mini project, final examination
2. Apply the principles learned in level 4 to evaluate the operation of aircraft systems. Final examination
3. Explain the maintenance requirements of major aircraft systems Portfolio
4. Describe the regulation of airworthiness and the licensing of aircraft maintenance personnel Final examination
5. Assess the operation of maintenance production and aircraft maintenance schedules Portfolio

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Final exam Written exam 50%
Portfolio of three short analytical reports Coursework 30%
Mini project report (1300-1500 words) Coursework 20%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Moir, I. Seabridge, A. 2008 Aircraft Systems: Mechanical, Electrical and Avionics Subsystems Integration (Aerospace Series), Wiley

Bibliography recommended reading

  • Barnard, R.H. & Philpott, D.R., 2010. Aircraft Flight: A Description of the Physical Principles of Aircraft Flight. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Ltd.
  • Jeppesen Sanderson, 2003. A&P Technician Airframe Textbook. 3rd ed. Englewood: Jeppesen Sanderson.
  • Pallet, E.H.J. & Coyle, S., 1993. Automatic Flight Control. 4th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
  • Wild, T.W.,2008. Transport Category Aircraft Systems. 3rd edition, Jeppesen Sanderson.

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