Elements of Aeronautics (1BEAE105/205)

Elements of Aeronautics

Course Code 1BEAE105/205 
Semester I/II
CIE Marks 50
Teaching Hours/Week (L:T:P: S) 3:0:0:0 
SEE Marks 50
Total Hours of Pedagogy 40 hours Theory 
Total Marks 100
Credits 03 
Exam Hours 3
Examination type (SEE) Theory

Module-1

Introduction to Aircrafts:

History of aviation; Atmosphere and its properties; Classification of aircrafts; Basic components of an aircraft;

aircraft axis system; aircraft motions; control surfaces and high lift devices; conventional design configurations;

principle of operation of each major part; Helicopters, their parts and functions.

Aircraft Structures and Materials:

Introduction; structural members; general types of construction; monocoque, semi-monocoque and geodesic

structures; typical wing and fuselage structure; metallic and non-metallic materials for aircraft application.

Number of Hours: 08

Module-2

Concepts of Aerodynamics:

Significance of speed of sound; airspeed and groundspeed; standard atmosphere; Bernoulli’s theorem and its

application for generation of lift and measurement of airspeed; forces over wing section, airfoil nomenclature,

pressure distribution over a wing section. Lift and drag components – generation of lift and drag; lift curve, drag

curve, types of drag, factors affecting lift and drag; center of pressure and its significance; aerodynamic center,

aspect ratio, Mach number and supersonic flight effects; simple problems on lift and drag.

Number of Hours:08

Module-3

Aircraft Propulsion:

Aircraft power plants, classification based on power plant and location and principle of operation. Turboprop,

turbojet and turbofan engines; ramjets and scramjets; performance characteristics. Aircraft power plants – basic

principles of piston, turboprop and jet engines; Brayton cycle and its application to gas turbine engines; use of

propellers and jets for production of thrust; comparative merits and limitations of different types of propulsion

engines; principle of thrust augmentation.

Number of Hours: 08

Module-4

Flight Mechanics:

Elements of Airplane performance: Equations of motion, aircraft maneuvers; rate of climb, stalling, gliding, and

turning. Power curves, correct and incorrect angles of bank; aerobatics, inverted maneuvers, ground effects, Simple

numericals.

Static and Dynamic stability: longitudinal, lateral and directional stability; criteria for longitudinal static stability,

Neutral point, Static margin.

Number of Hours: 08

Module-5

Introduction to Aircraft Systems: Aircraft systems (Mechanical) – hydraulic and pneumatic systems and their

applications; environment control system; fuel system, oxygen system.

Aircraft Systems (Electrical) – flight control system, cockpit instrumentation and displays; communication

systems; navigation systems; power generation systems – engine driven alternators, auxiliary power ram air turbine;

power conversion, distribution and management.

Number of Hours: 08

Suggested Learning Resources: 

Text books:

1. John D. Anderson, “Introduction to Flight”, McGraw-Hill Education, 8th edition, 2015,

ISBN: 978-0078027673

2. Lalit Gupta and O P Sharma, “Fundamentals of Flight Vol-I to Vol-IV”, Himalayan Books. 2006,

ISBN:9788170020752

3. A.C. Kermode, “Mechanics of Flight”, Pearson Education India, 10th Edition, 1995, ISBN:

9780582237407

Reference books / Manuals:

1. A.C. Kermode, “Flight without formulae”, Pearson Education India, 1989. ISBN: 9788131713891.

2. Nelson R.C., “Flight stability and automatic control”, McGraw-Hill International Editions, 1998. ISBN

9780071158381. 3.

3. Ian Moir, Allan Seabridge, “Aircraft Systems: Mechanical, Electrical and Avionics Subsystems

Integration”, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, ISBN: 978111965006.