Flight Dynamics (2 Credits)

This course is an introductory level to linear stability and motion modes of fixed-wing aircraft. Here we consider a conventional aircraft as a rigid body and explore its stability derivatives — both of static and dynamics — and discuss the formulation of the stability derivatives, how to obtain and interpret them physically. In addition, in this course, we also examine trim conditions using elevator and stick-fixed and stick-free stability.

Course Outlines

# Topic Reading (Reference: Chapter)
1 Introduction to Flight Dynamics (Anderson, 2016): 7.1, 7.2
2 Modes of Motion; Equilibrium Condition (Nelson, 1998): 2
3 Forces and Moments (Durham, 2013): 6
4 Linearization of Aerodynamic Forces and Moment (Durham, 2013): 7-8
5 Coefficients of Stability derivatives (Gudmundsson, 2022): 24-25
6 Aircraft Maneuver Stability (Gudmundsson, 2022): 24-25
7 Aircraft Dynamic Stability (Gudmundsson, 2022): 24-25
8 Aircraft Controllability (Gudmundsson, 2022): 24-25
9 Neutral Point and Static Margin (Anderson, 2016): 7.10-11
11 Concept of Static Longitudinal Control (Anderson, 2016): 7.12-13
10 Stick-Fixed and Stick Free; Hinge Moment (Anderson, 2016): 7.14-15
12 Stick-Free Longitudinal Stability (Anderson, 2016): 7.16
13 Lateral- Directional Static Stability (Anderson, 2016): 7.17-18
14 Review All

References

Gudmundsson, S. (2022). General aviation aircraft design: Applied methods and procedures. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Anderson, J. D. (2016). Introduction to flight. McGraw-Hill Education.
Durham, W. (2013). Aircraft flight dynamics and control. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nelson, R. C. (1998). Flight stability and automatic control. WCB/McGraw Hill.