15623 - Flight Mechanics

Academic Year 2025/2026

  • Moduli: Emanuele Luigi De Angelis (Modulo 1) Fabrizio Giulietti (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Aerospace Engineering (cod. 9234)

Learning outcomes

Building on the core principles of subsonic aircraft aerodynamics, this work examines key performance aspects of jet and propeller aircraft under standard flight conditions, including steady level flight, climb, glide, and steady turns. It also explores issues related to static stability and controllability in the longitudinal, lateral, and directional axes.

Course contents

Introductory topics

Course introduction. Reference atmospheric models. Review of subsonic aerodynamic, propulsive, and gravitational forces. Drag polar and aerodynamic efficiency. Reference frames and 3 DOF point-mass model equations. 

Aircraft Performance

Gliding performance. Steady level flight aircraft performance: range and endurance analysis for jet and propeller aircraft. Climb and descent performance. Steady turn. Perfect loop maneuver. Take-off and landing. Review of take-off and landing devices.

Aircraft stability, controllability, and maneuverability

Introduction to aircraft stability. Longitudinal static stability: neutral point. Longitudinal controllability and maneuvering point. Directional and lateral stability. Fundamentals of aircraft dynamics.

Readings/Bibliography

Casarosa, Carlo, Meccanica del volo. Pisa: Pisa University Press, 2014. Reference textbook for the theoretical aspects of the course.

Quarta, Alessandro A., Esercizi di meccanica del volo. Pisa: ETS, 2011. Reference textbook for the practical aspects (exercises) of the course.

Class notes available on 'https://virtuale.unibo.it/' web page.

Teaching methods

Class lectures.

Numerical exercises and simulations.

Educational visits.

Assessment methods

One final exam that includes:

1) N. 10 multiple choice questions (20 min),

2) N. 2 numerical exercises on aircraft performance and stability analysis (80 min),

3) N. 1 oral open-answer test (30 min).

Teaching tools

Flight simulation softwares.

Softwares for symbolic and numerical calculus.

Sample videos and pictures.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Luigi De Angelis

See the website of Fabrizio Giulietti