15626 - Aircraft on-board systems

Learning outcomes

In the three-years Bachelor Degree in Aerospace Engineering, this course is aimed at providing students with the knowledge of all aircraft on-board systems. In all aircraft, a certain number of on-board systems is present, and their relevance is demonstrated by the relative percentage of weight and cost they have on the entire aircraft. It is supposed that students possess the ability to face complex mathematical problems, to size simple aerospace subsystems by means of approximated formulas, to convert between different units and to solve three-dimensional geometric problems.

Course contents

1. GENERAL REMARKS

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Design Phylosophy

1.3 Functional Schemes

1.4 Components Selection

1.5 Working Principles Analysis

1.6 Reliability

1.7 Standards for use and maintenance

2. PLANTS FOR ENERGY TRANSFER

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Energy use on board

2.3 Transfer of mechanical energy

2.4 Design of equipments for power distribution

3. FLIGHT PRINCIPLES

3.1 Aerodynamic forces and wing profiles

3.2 Geometric characteristics of the wing

3.3 Aircraft polar

4. OVERVIEW OF MECHANICS OF FLUIDS

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Main characteristics of hydraulic fluids

4.3 Equation of state and compressibility module

4.4 Form effective compressibility

4.5 Hydrostatic: Pascal's Principle

4.6 Continuity equation

4.7 Energy conservation

4.8 Steady Motion of an incompressible fluid

4.9 Fluid at rest

4.10 Pressure drop distribution

4.11 Discrete Components

4.12 Electrical Analogy

5. HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Generalities on Hydraulic Systems

5.3 Hydraulic Pumps

5.4 Regulation

5.5 Valves

5.6 Servo

5.7 Jacks

5.8 Engines

5.9 Accumulators

5.10 Tanks

5.11 Filters

5.12 Seals and hoses

6. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Types of power

6.3 Choice of plant

6.4 Energy Generation

6.5 Energy Distribution

6.6 Components of protection and maneuver

6.7 Electric Motors

6.8 Accumulators

7. PNEUMATIC SYSTEM

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Generation

7.3 Regulation

7.4 Actuators

8. PRESSURIZATION AND CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Comfort Conditions

8.3 Pressurization

8.4 Conditioning

8.5 Joules Reverse Cycle

8.6 Bootstrap Cycle

8.7 Steam Cycle

8.8 Distribution

8.9 Auxiliary plant for oxygen

9. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

9.1 Atmospheric turbulence

9.2 Wind shear

9.3 Visibility reduction

9.4 Hail

9.5 Ice

9.6 Lightning

9.7 Birds

9.8 FOD

10. EMERGENCY SYSTEMS

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Alarm Systems

10.3 Fire Systems

10.4 Inhibition of explosion of shells

10.5 Emergency Oxygen

10.6 Renewable energy emergency

10.7 Evacuation of passengers

10.8 Crew and Passenger Evacuation

10.9 Crash recorder

11. FUEL SYSTEM

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Tanks location

11.3 Types of tanks

11.4 Supply

11.5 Internal architecture of shells

11.6 Fuel Measurement Systems

11.7 Distribution Network

11.8 Plant Sizing 

12. LANDING GEAR

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Landing Gear Configurations

12.3 Retraction and Extraction

12.4 Shock

12.5 Brakes

12.6 Anti-skid Systems

12.7 Tires

12.8 Wheels

13. ON BOARD INSTRUMENTS

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Magnetic compass

13.3 Instruments based on pressure measurements

  13.3.1 Altimeter

  13.3.2 Variometer

  13.3.3. Anemometer

13.4 Gyroscopic Instruments

  13.4.1 Introduction on gyroscopes

  13.4.2 Artificial Horizon

  13.4.3 Turn Indicator

  13.4.4 Directional Gyro

  13.4.5 Gyrocompass

14. FLIGHT CONTROLS

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Bar Commands

14.3 Cable Controls

14.4 Servo

14.5 Fly-By-Wire

15. AVIONICS AND RADIO NAVIGATION

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Communications

  15.2.1 Components of a communication system

  15.2.2 Carrier modulation

15.3 RadioNavigation

  15.3.1 Radio-based direction finding

  15.3.2 VOR

  15.3.3 Hyperbolic systems

  15.3.4 ILS

16. SATELLITE NAVIGATION (GNSS SYSTEMS)

16.1 Space Segment and operating principles

16.2 Ground Segment

16.3 User's Segment

17. RADAR

17.1 Types of radar

17.2 Operating principles

17.3 Doppler radar

17.4 The "Doppler dilemma"

Readings/Bibliography

L. Puccinelli, P. Astori, Dispense del corso di Impianti Aerospaziali, Aggiornamento del 2013, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali, Politecnico di Milano, Milano (in Italian)

alternatively:

Aircraft Systems by David A. Lombardo. McGraw-Hill. 1999

Teaching methods

Lectures are held by the course teacher. In lecturing hours it is proceeded to the exposure of the arguments, to the explicit demonstration of all mathematical formulas introduced and to the presentation of the methods to solve the problems given in the practicing hours. The proposed exercises require the use of pocket calculators for the solution of the mathematical end engineering problems given by the lecturer.

Assessment methods

The examination has a written and an oral part. The written part constists of two questions related the description of aircraft systems and one relative to the sizing of an aircraft on-board system. Student must reach at least a mark of 5/10 in all questions,  proficiently answer at least two out of the three questions, and reach a minimum overall mark of 18/30 to access the oral part of the examination. Students desiring to access the oral part will be asked a (short) theoretical questions about the subjects explained during the course. In the course of the examination the ability to the student to resolve new problems or at least to set up the correct resolutive strategy will be assessed. The assessment of such ability has a fundamental weight in the attribution of the final marks.

Teaching tools

LCD projector and PC are used in addition to the standard blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Tortora

See the website of Giacomo Curzi