15623 - Flight Mechanics

Learning outcomes

Starting from the main results of aircraft subsonic aerodynamics, fundamental problems of jet and propeller aircraft performance are carried out within classical flight conditions (steady level flight, climb, gliding, and steady turn). Longitudinal, lateral and directional static stability and controllability are also addressed.

Course contents

Introductory topics

Course introduction. Aircraft geometry. Earth atmosphere ISA model.

Equations of motion and subsonic aerodynamics review. Drag polar and aerodynamic efficiency.

Reference frames and 3 dof point-mass model. 

Aircraft Performances

Gliding performances. Steady level flight aircraft performances: range and endurance analysis for jet and propeller aircraft. Cruise performance of electric aircraft. Climb and descent performances. Steady turn. Take-off and landing. Take-off and landing devices.

Aircraft stability, controllability, and maneuverability

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

Readings/Bibliography

Casarosa, Carlo, Meccanica del volo. Pisa: Pisa University Press, 2014.

Quarta, Alessandro A., Esercizi di meccanica del volo. Pisa: ETS, 2011.

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

Teaching methods

Class lectures.

Numerical exercises and simulations.

Educational visits.

Assessment methods

One written final exam including 1) multiple choice questions, 2) numerical exercises on aircraft performance and stability analysis, 3) oral open-answer questions.

Teaching tools

Flight simulation software.

Symbolic calculus tools.

Class notes available on 'https://virtuale.unibo.it/' in PDF format.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Luigi De Angelis

See the website of Fabrizio Giulietti