Module manager: Dr David Peacock
Email: D.C.Peacock@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering gives you a broad foundation in how aircraft are designed and perform. Throughout the module, you’ll explore four key themes: performance, where you learn how to calculate key performance metrics; aerodynamics, focusing on how air flows around aerofoils, wings and bodies to generate lift and reduce drag; systems, covering the interconnected technologies that enable safe and controlled flight; and structures, where you learn how aerospace components are built to be both strong and lightweight. Together, these areas provide the essential grounding you need for further study in aerospace engineering.
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental physical and engineering principles that allow aircraft to fly and operate safely. By focusing on the core disciplines of aerodynamics, performance, systems, and structures, it develops a strong grounding in the analytical skills required for more complex challenges encountered in subsequent years.
Specifically, students will:
• Develop an understanding of the behaviour of real flows; how pressure distributions affect the performance of aerofoils/wings; estimations of lift and drag coefficients - using various methods; how wind tunnel tests may be correctly applied to obtain aerodynamic or performance data.
• Use quantitative methods to evaluate an aircraft’s performance metrics such as range, endurance, rate of climb, and take-off distances.
• Gain a technical overview of the systems which comprise an aircraft’s ‘internal organs’, how they interact and their key design features.
• Use specific loading conditions to calculate the properties of simplified aerospace components (like spars and skins), specifically looking at stress, strain, and material selection for lightweight design.
Lectures will be used to introduce mathematical frameworks and physical laws to provide a tool box of concepts, methods and formulas to solve engineering problems. In places these will be backed up by laboratory sessions to bridge the gap between theory and reality, which allow you to validate your calculations against real-world physical data
By the end of this module, you will have moved from a conceptual understanding of aviation to a technical proficiency that allows you to calculate and predict how an aircraft interacts with its environment. This foundational knowledge is essential for moving on to more specialized topics like high-speed propulsion or flight stability and control.
Subject specific learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
For Aerodynamics
1. Analyse and predict aerodynamic performance using fundamental parameters, aerofoil geometry, and empirical methods.
2. Describe and analyse boundary‑layer behaviour and stall phenomena on aerofoils and wings
3. Explain flow‑control techniques for enhancing lift and reducing drag
4. Use wind‑tunnel test data from scale‑models to predict behaviour on full-scale models.
For Performance
6. Apply analytical methods to calculate a range of aircraft performance metrics.
For Systems
6. Describe the major aerospace subsystems and explain their role in overall aircraft operation.
7. Explain the function and working principle of primary and secondary flight control surfaces and relate them to aircraft motion.
8. Explain the basic principles, components, and operation of aircraft hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and analyse their role in control actuation.
9. Explain the fundamentals of aircraft electrical systems, including power generation and distribution, and analyse their interaction with other subsystems.
10. Explain the working principle of basic sensors used in aircraft systems and relate sensor outputs to instrumentation.
For Structures
11. Analyse stiffened panels and tension field beams;
12. Understand the principles of stressed skin construction as applied to aerospace structures;
13. Carry out analysis to determine bending, shear and torsion of open and closed thin walled aerospace structures;
14. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of composite materials, and engineering principles to the solution of aerospace composite structures
15. Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions, and discussing the limitations of the techniques employed
16. Select and apply appropriate analytical techniques to model composite laminate problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed
These module learning outcomes contribute to the following AHEP4 learning outcomes:
17. Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to broadly-defined problems. Some of the knowledge will be informed by current developments in the subject of study. [C1]
18. Analyse broadly-defined problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles. [C2]
19. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model broadly-defined problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed. [C3]
Skills learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
a. apply a logical, evidencebased approach to interpret data and understand underlying relationships (analytical).
b. apply structured problemsolving strategies to identify, evaluate and address challenges (problem solving).
c. produce mathematical derivations and solutions - manipulate, interpret and solve mathematical expressions (numerical skills)
d. communicate technical ideas clearly and concisely using appropriate academic and engineering vocabulary, demonstrating accurate interpretation and presentation of written and numerical information (core literacy).
Aerodynamics
1. Introduction
2. Aerofoil geometry and characteristics
3. Aerodynamic forces and moments
4. Drag sources, synthesis and flow control techniques
5. The boundary-layer
6. Wind tunnel testing techniques
Performance
1. Introduction
2. Steady flight
3. Gliding flight
4. Climbing flight
5. Range and endurance
6. Accelerated Flight
Fundamentals of Aerospace Subsystems
1. Overview of Aircraft Aerospace Subsystems
2. Flight Control Systems
3. Aircraft Hydraulic Systems
4. Aircraft Pneumatic Systems
5. Aircraft Electrical Systems
6. Aircraft Sensors and Instrumentation
Structures
1. Energy methods, strain & potential energy, principle of virtual work, deflection problems (determinate and indeterminate).
2. Principles of stressed skin construction, materials, loads on structural components, function of components, fabrication methods.
3. Bending of open and closed sections, approximations for thin walls.
4. Shear of open and closed thin-walled sections, shear centre.
5. Torsion of closed and opened thin-walled sections.
6. Introduction to Composite Materials and Structures
7. Aerospace Composite Structures
8. Mechanics of a Composite Lamina (ply)
9. Mechanics of a Composite Laminate (stack of plies)
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 44 | 1 | 44 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 152 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
152
Students have access to examples sheets with self-assessment against solutions.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team