Module descriptors

The module descriptors for our undergraduate courses can be found below:

  • Four year Aeronautical Engineering degree (H401)
  • Four year Aeronautical Engineering with a Year Abroad stream (H410)

Students on our H420 programme follow the same programme as the H401 spending fourth year in industry.

The descriptors for all programmes are the same (including H411).

H401

Aircraft Operations S2

Module aims

This course focuses on understanding the operational aspects of commercial aviation and assessing how they affect design decisions and, eventually, its environmental impacts and costs. The course contents will build upon basic aerospace engineering and aircraft design knowledge, with extension to consider external factors related to airport infrastructure, airline operations, regulations, and measures of merit. This course will connect students’ theoretical knowledge to real-world operations and reveal the importance of considering the interdependence between aircraft system and operations – and their multidisciplinarity – in making design decisions for future, disruptive technologies. 

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing this module, you should be able to:
1. Identify and evaluate key measures of merit for commercial aviation
2. Quantify the impact and evaluate the implications of current aviation practices on measures of merits; and assess their alternatives 
3. Evaluate the impact of operational and regulatory constraints on the design of an aircraft

4. Critically assess the potential impact of emerging technology on the aviation industry   

Module syllabus

Historical perspective 
- The evolution and growth of commercial aviation
- The evolution and growth of aircraft design and technology 
- Current operational practices of commercial aviation
 
Conceptual aircraft design process – recap 
- Top level aircraft requirements (TLARs) 
- Operational and regulatory constraints
- Flight mission profile
 
Fundamental of aircraft performance – recap
 
Commercial aviation – airline operations and infrastructure 
- Airport and ground operations 
- Terminal maneuvering area – Departures and arrivals
- Reserve fuel and fuel tankering
- Fleet assignment
 
Measures of merit
- Economic factors (airline productivity measures, operating cost) 
- Environmental factors (fuel consumption and noise)
 
The future of commercial aviation
- Disruptive technologies and their impact on design/operations
- Evolution on aircraft design formulation
 

Teaching methods

The module will be delivered primarily through large-class lectures introducing the key concepts and methods, supported by a variety of delivery methods combining the traditional and the technological.  The content is presented via a combination of slides, whiteboard and visualizer.
Learning will be reinforced through tutorial question sheets.
 
 

Assessments

This module presents opportunities for both formative and summative assessment.  
You will be formatively assessed through progress tests and tutorial sessions. 
You will have additional opportunities to self-assess your learning via tutorial problem sheets. 
You will be summatively assessed by a written closed-book examination at the end of the module.
 
You will receive feedback on examinations in the form of an examination feedback report on the performance of the entire cohort.
You will receive feedback on your performance whilst undertaking tutorial exercises, during which you will also receive instruction on the correct solution to tutorial problems.
Further individual feedback will be available to you on request via this module’s online feedback forum, through staff office hours and discussions with tutors.
Assessment type Assessment description Weighting Pass mark Must pass?
Examination Closed book written examination 100% 50% N

Reading list

Core

Supplementary

Module leaders

Dr Rhea Liem