Introduction to Mechanics of Flight

Introduction to Mechanics of Flight
Course Number: 251 - 15330
ECTS credits: 6
YEAR 2/ Lower Division

PREREQUISITES/STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE COMPLETED::
Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Physics I  
We strongly advise you against taking this course if you have not passed Physics I yet

COMPETENCES AND SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNING RESULTS:

The goal of this course is that the student acquires a basic knowledge of classical mechanics applied to flight mechanics and aerospace systems.

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS:

0 Introduction
- Newton's laws
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Review of vector calculus
- Degrees of freedom and constraints

1 Kinematics of point particles
- Reference frames
- Position, velocity and acceleration
- Planar motion
- Tangential and normal components
- Relative motion
- Rotations
- Relations between position, velocity and acceleration using translating and rotating axes

2 Dynamics of point particles
- Force and momentum
- Work and energy
- Rectilinear motion. Vibrations.
- Motion of a free particle
- Motion of a particle over a curve
- Motion of a particle over a surface
- Relative dynamics
- Angular momentum
- Central forces
- Kepler's problem
- Elliptical trajectories

3 Kinematics of a rigid body
- Velocity and acceleration fields
- Properties of the velocity field
- The Euler angles

4 Geometry of masses
- Center of mass
- Moments of inertia
- Moment of inertia tensor
- Steiner's theorem
- Principal axes

5 Rigid body dynamics
- Linear momentum
- Angular momentum
- Kinetic energy
- General equations for a system of particles
- General equations for the rigid body
- Equilibrium
- Work and energy principles

6 Systems of rigid bodies
- General equations
- Constraints and linkages

7 The airplane as a rigid body
- Airplane parts
- Forces on the airplane: Lift, drag, aerodynamic moments
- Straight and level flight
- Gliding flight
- Climbing flight
 

LEARNING ACTIVITES AND METHODOLOGY:

Theory sessions
Problem sessions working individually and in groups
Lab-sessions and computer sessions with mathematical software

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM:

End-of-term exam (60%)
Class exams (20%)
Lab sessions (20%)

In order to pass the subject, two requirements need to be met:

1) to have a MINIMUM mark of 4.0/10 in the end-of-term exam;
2) to have a minimum  overall mark of 5.0/10 (weighing 60% the end-of-term exam mark and 40% the mark of the continuous evaluation).
    
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

    J. H. Ginsberg. Engineering Dynamics. Cambridge Univ. Press. 2007
    W.T. Thomson. Introduction to Space Dynamics. Dover. 1986