CARLETON UNIVERSITY

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Aircraft Stability and Control (AERO 4308/MECH 5101) – Winter 2019

Lectures: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:35 am – 9:55 am @ UC182

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To develop the understanding behind the aerodynamic design of aircraft

AND
Be capable of analyzing an existing and new aircraft performances

COURSE CONTENT:

Week No. Material Description

2 Introduction • Aircraft and stability terminology (static vs. dynamic stability,
centre of pressure, aerodynamic centre, mean aerodynamic
chord, camber)
3-6 Static Stability • Longitudinal Stability (pitch stiffness [fuselage and propulsive
effects], neutral point [stick fixed], aircraft trim [elevator
angle])
• Manoeuvres (pull-up, hinge moment, manoeuvre point [stick
fixed and free], elevator angle per g, stick force per g)
• Roll [aileron effectiveness, roll damping]
• Lateral Stability (yaw and roll coupling [effects of dihedral,
sweep, wing position], rudder power, aileron adverse yaw)
Winter Break
7 - 10 Dynamic Stability • Introduction to aircraft dynamics, general equations of motion
(Euler angles, rotation matrix, six degrees of freedom
equations), small disturbance theory (linearized equations of
motion, stability axes, stability derivatives)
• Eigenvalues/eigenvectors [dimensional stability derivatives],
flying qualities (natural frequency and damping ratio), transfer
functions for longitudinal motion (Phugoid and short period
oscillations), lateral and rolling motions (Rolling, Dutch Root,
Spiral)
11 - 12 Aircraft Control Stability augmentation system, PID control, Numerical solutions
(Matlab/Simulink)

GRADING:

Assignment 1: 10.0% AVAILABLE: February 5, 2019 DUE: February 14, 2019

Assignment 2: 10.0% AVAILABLE: February 14, 2019 DUE: February 28, 2019
Assignment 3: 10.0% AVAILABLE: March 21, 2019 DUE: April 4, 2019

Note: For late assignments there will be a 20% reduction on the late assignment marks per business
day of delay from the due date (i.e. after 5 business days of delay, the corresponding assignment mark
will be zero). There is a marked mailbox for returning the assignments outside ME 3135. Late

1
 assignments should be returned to the TA directly (please send an email and make an appointment
with the TA for returning late assignments).

Final Exam: 70.0% (University scheduled). Open notes. Both multiple-choice (theoretical and short
numerical questions) and long written questions will be asked.

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK:

Dynamics of Flight: Stability and Control, Etkin and Reid (3rd Edition, Wiley and Sons)

CLASS NOTES:

The notes from a previous version of the course by Prof. J. Etele will be posted as reference. The
students are responsible for taken their own notes during the lectures. These will NOT be posted.

INSTRUCTOR:

Fred Nitzsche (fred.nitzsche@carleton.ca): Office VSIM 6214D

TEACHING ASSISTANT:

Adam Hacker (AdamHacker@cmail.carleton.ca): Office (CB 6103) Office Hrs.: (TBD by the TA)

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION:

You may need special arrangements to meet your academic obligations during the term. For an
accommodation request the processes are as follows:

Pregnancy obligation: write to me with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two
weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details
see the Student Guide.

Religious obligation: write to me with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two
weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details
see the Student Guide.

Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The Paul Menton Centre for Students with
Disabilities (PMC) provides services to students with Learning Disabilities (LD), psychiatric/mental health
disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), chronic
medical conditions, and impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision. If you have a disability requiring
academic accommodations in this course, please contact PMC at 613-520-6608 or pmc@carleton.ca for a
formal evaluation. If you are already registered with the PMC, contact your PMC coordinator to send me
your Letter of Accommodation at the beginning of the term, and no later than two weeks before the first
in-class scheduled test or exam requiring accommodation (if applicable). After requesting accommodation
from PMC, meet with me to ensure accommodation arrangements are made. Please consult the PMC
website for the deadline to request accommodations for the formally-scheduled exam (if applicable).