Fixed-wing aerodynamics fundamentals course
Online course of 300 hours in the fundamentals of fixed-wing aerodynamics. 6 modules covering the atmosphere and airflow, aerofoil and finite wing aerodynamics, drag and high-lift devices, and performance and basic stability, with an assigned technical tutor.
Fixed-wing aerodynamics fundamentals course — studying from Australia
Australia's aerospace sector spans defence and commercial aviation, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and a growing space industry. Key clusters sit around Adelaide's Edinburgh Parks and the Melbourne and Sydney defence precincts, with major employers including Airbus Australia Pacific, BAE Systems Australia, Boeing Defence Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia. Recreational and commercial drone operations are increasingly regulated, and advanced air mobility is emerging as a research and policy priority. Engineers working in this area typically support airworthiness, systems integration, structures and avionics across both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Fees for Australia: A$868 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification help me get recognised by a professional body in Australia?
SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and they are not accredited by any Australian body. Engineers Australia accredits university engineering degrees, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates drone and aviation operations. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check with them before enrolling.
Will this course help me find work in Australian aerospace, drones or space?
Australia has aerospace and defence employers, drone operators and space-sector companies, and skills in these areas are valued. Whether a SEIUM qualification counts for a given role depends on the employer, who will usually weigh your experience and portfolio alongside any private credential. Ask prospective employers how they view it.
Can I study this part-time while working, and does the time zone suit Australia?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia, with no student visa needed for home study. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly load realistically. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the properties of the atmosphere and of airflow.
Analyse the aerodynamic characteristics of aerofoils.
Calculate the lift and induced drag of a finite wing.
Build the aerodynamic drag polar of an aircraft.
Estimate basic flight performance.
Assess longitudinal static stability.
Use aerodynamic analysis tools.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamics engineers
- Aircraft design engineers
- Performance engineers
- Aeronautical engineering technicians
- Unmanned aerial vehicle engineers
- Flight data analysts
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the aeronautics sector
What you'll work with
- CS-23 (EASA) (certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
- CS-25 (EASA) (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
- ISO 2533 (standard atmosphere)
- 14 CFR Part 23 (FAA airworthiness standards for normal-category aeroplanes)
- 14 CFR Part 25 (FAA airworthiness standards for transport-category aeroplanes)
- Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 (airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft)
- XFOIL
- XFLR5
- OpenVSP
- MATLAB
6 modules
1.1International Standard Atmosphere1.2Properties of air: density, pressure and viscosity1.3Continuity and Bernoulli equations1.4Reynolds number and Mach number1.5Laminar and turbulent boundary layer1.6Boundary layer separation1.7Indicated, calibrated and true airspeed1.8Pressure measurement with a Pitot tube1.9Aerodynamic similarity and dimensionless numbers1.10Practical exercise: calculating airspeeds at different altitudes
2.1Aerofoil geometry: camber and thickness2.2NACA aerofoil families2.3Lift and moment coefficients2.4Pressure distribution over the aerofoil2.5Thin aerofoil theory2.6Stall and critical angle of attack2.7Aerofoil drag polar2.8Effect of Reynolds number on the aerofoil2.9Laminar and supercritical aerofoils2.10Lab: aerofoil analysis with XFOIL
3.1Wingtip vortices3.2Induced drag and Oswald efficiency factor3.3Prandtl lifting-line theory3.4Aspect ratio and taper ratio3.5Sweep and dihedral3.6Spanwise lift distribution3.7Winglets and wingtip devices3.8Vortex lattice method3.9Wing stall behaviour3.10Workshop: modelling a wing with XFLR5
4.1Parasite and skin-friction drag4.2Form and interference drag4.3Complete aircraft drag polar4.4Maximum aerodynamic efficiency4.5Trailing-edge flaps4.6Slats and leading-edge devices4.7Aerodynamics in take-off and landing configuration4.8Ground effect in take-off and landing4.9Compressibility effects in the transonic regime4.10Practical exercise: building the drag polar of a light aircraft
5.1Equations of level flight5.2Stall speed and minimum speed5.3Climb, glide and ceiling5.4Range and endurance5.5Turning flight and load factor5.6Take-off and landing5.7Longitudinal static stability5.8Aerodynamic centre and static margin5.9Performance certification requirements5.10Case study: performance of a general aviation aircraft
6.1Definition of the study aircraft6.2Aerofoil selection6.3Wing planform design6.4Drag polar calculation6.5Performance estimation6.6Longitudinal stability analysis6.7Comparison with reference data6.8Conclusions of the aerodynamic analysis6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is XFOIL, XFLR5, OpenVSP and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: aerodynamic analysis of aerofoils, modelling a wing in vortex-lattice software and estimating the performance of a light aircraft. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: CS-23 (EASA), CS-25 (EASA), ISO 2533, 14 CFR Part 23, 14 CFR Part 25, Regulation (EU) No 748/2012
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with XFOIL, XFLR5, OpenVSP and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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