Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Aerospace Engineering

Launch your career with this sought-after MEng, here at one of the Most Targeted Universities by Top Graduate Employers (THE Graduate Market, 2024).
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H402 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Scholarships available
  • Field trips
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Helicopters

Course unit fact file
Unit code AERO41222
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 7
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This module covers fundamental aerodynamic concepts of the rotor and the aircraft, blade dynamics, helicopter stability and control, helicopter performance in various flight conditions, mission analysis and configuration design.

This module covers the role of engineering research to the development of the helicopter as we know today. Key aspects taught in this course include helicopter systems, rotor aerodynamics, blade dynamics, stability and trim, helicopter performance and design, helicopter engines.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
MACE20411 Co-Requisite Compulsory
Aircraft Aerodynamics AERO31321 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

  •  The purpose of this module is to introduce students to vertical-lift vehicles. These are a wide class of technologically advanced flight vehicles that use rotary wings as their main propulsion system.
  • This module is multi-disciplinary and includes aerodynamics, flight mechanics, dynamics, etc.
  • At the end of the module, the students will have acquired basic engineering knowledge that allows them to understand these vehicles, how they can be designed, how they can be operated.
  • This module also introduces the concept of flight safety.
  • Students are instructed on the basics of helicopter design and carry out a simple design assignment
  • An external lecture is given to demonstrate that helicopters save lives every day – on land and at sea.

Syllabus

Syllabus:

  • Introduction      
  • Technology history
  • Helicopter configurations
  • Helicopter engines
  • Aerodynamics Part I: Rotors
  • Aerodynamics Part II: Airfoils
  • Hover flight
  • Vertical flight
  • Forward flight
  • Blade element theory   
  • Blade dynamics, Part I   
  • Blade dynamics, Part II, forward flight
  • Aerodynamics Part III: Dynamic stall
  • Helicopter Performance              
  • Rotor noise        
  • Intro to Helicopter Design 

Case Studies

  • Rotor blade tips
  • Flight Safety and Risk Analysis
  • Swashplate
  • Rotor Tip Vortex
  • Tail Rotor Effectiveness
  • Autorotation
  • Helicopter Transmission & Power Trains

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 15%
Written exam 50%
Report 35%

Other - online quiz

Feedback methods

Exam - through script viewing

Online quiz - immediately

Written report - within 2 weeks

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 1
Lectures 24
Project supervision 50
Tutorials 14
Independent study hours
Independent study 61

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Antonino Filippone Unit coordinator

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