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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Distributed propulsion integration course

Online course of 300 hours in distributed propulsion integration: 6 modules covering distributed propulsion concepts, integration aerodynamics, distributed electrical architecture, thrust control and allocation, conceptual design and certification, and a distributed propulsion project, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration300 hours · 3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Distributed propulsion integration course — studying from Canada

Canada has a substantial aerospace sector, anchored in Montréal and Québec City, with major manufacturers and suppliers such as Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada and CAE. Ontario's Greater Toronto and Ottawa regions host avionics, satellite and space technology firms, while the Canadian Space Agency coordinates national space programmes, including robotics for the International Space Station. Urban air mobility and drone operations are emerging under Transport Canada's regulatory framework. Engineers in this area typically work on airframe design, systems integration, certification and space mission support.

Fees for Canada: 848 CA$ (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Canada

  • Transport Canada
  • Canadian Space Agency
  • Canadian Aviation Regulations (Transport Canada)
  • Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

Typical roles

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Avionics Engineer
  • Certification Engineer
  • Drone Systems Engineer

Questions from Canada

Will this qualification let me use the title Professional Engineer?

No. The title is regulated by provincial engineering regulators such as Professional Engineers Ontario or the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Please check their requirements directly before assuming any eligibility.

What language are the programmes taught in?

All programmes are taught in English, which suits engineers working in English-language environments across Canada.

Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the concepts and benefits of distributed propulsion.

02

Analyse the aerodynamic interaction between propulsors and surfaces.

03

Design distributed electrical architectures with redundancy.

04

Develop thrust allocation and differential control laws.

05

Apply multidisciplinary conceptual design methods.

06

Know the certification framework for aircraft with distributed propulsion.

07

Design a distributed propulsion configuration for a specific mission.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Conceptual design engineers.
  • Electric propulsion engineers.
  • Aerodynamicists working on propeller–airframe integration.
  • Flight control engineers dealing with redundant actuators and eVTOL control laws.
  • Electrical systems engineers.
  • Advanced air mobility researchers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join the urban air mobility sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EASA SC-VTOL (special condition for small-category VTOL aircraft)
  • EASA SC E-19 (special condition for electric and hybrid propulsion systems)
  • EASA CS-23 (certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
  • SAE ARP4761A / EUROCAE ED-135 (safety assessment process for civil aircraft systems)
  • SAE ARP4754B / EUROCAE ED-79B (development of civil aircraft and systems)
  • MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
  • RTCA DO-160G / EUROCAE ED-14G (environmental testing of airborne equipment)
  • ASTM F3338 (electric propulsion units for aircraft)
  • OpenVSP
  • XFLR5
  • SUAVE
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Ansys Fluent
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Definition and potential benefits
  2. 1.2Synergies between aerodynamics and propulsion
  3. 1.3Wing blowing and lift augmentation
  4. 1.4Boundary layer ingestion
  5. 1.5Wingtip propellers
  6. 1.6Multi-rotor eVTOL configurations
  7. 1.7The X-57 and other demonstrators
  8. 1.8Distributed turboelectric architectures
  9. 1.9Mass and complexity penalties
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the NASA X-57 Maxwell concept
  1. 2.1Propeller–wing interaction
  2. 2.2Actuator disc models
  3. 2.3Lifting-line method with slipstream
  4. 2.4Slipstream effects on tail surfaces
  5. 2.5Boundary layer ingestion and power saving
  6. 2.6Nozzles and embedded fans
  7. 2.7Rotor–rotor interaction noise
  8. 2.8CFD simulation of integrated configurations
  9. 2.9Wind tunnel testing of powered models
  10. 2.10Workshop: estimating lift augmentation from blowing
  1. 3.1Power distribution to multiple motors
  2. 3.2DC buses and protection
  3. 3.3Centralised versus distributed generation
  4. 3.4Redundancy and fault isolation
  5. 3.5Wiring mass and voltage levels
  6. 3.6Thermal management of distributed motors
  7. 3.7Reliability of the complete architecture
  8. 3.8Failure modes of a motor or bus
  9. 3.9Safety analysis of the architecture
  10. 3.10Lab: electrical network model with six motors
  1. 4.1Differential thrust control
  2. 4.2Control allocation with redundant actuators
  3. 4.3Replacing control surfaces
  4. 4.4Stability with motor failures
  5. 4.5Allocation optimisation for efficiency
  6. 4.6Control laws in eVTOL aircraft
  7. 4.7Transition between vertical and horizontal flight
  8. 4.8Integration with fly-by-wire systems
  9. 4.9Validation of control laws in simulation
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: thrust allocation after a rotor failure
  1. 5.1Aircraft-level sizing
  2. 5.2Multidisciplinary design methods
  3. 5.3Parametric studies on the number of motors
  4. 5.4The SC-VTOL special condition
  5. 5.5CS-23 and SC E-19 requirements
  6. 5.6Community noise and certification
  7. 5.7Maintenance of multiple units
  8. 5.8Comparative operating costs
  9. 5.9Technology roadmap
  10. 5.10Case study: evaluation of a blown-wing configuration
  1. 6.1Aircraft mission and requirements
  2. 6.2Proposed propulsion configuration
  3. 6.3Aerodynamic integration analysis
  4. 6.4Electrical architecture and redundancy
  5. 6.5Thrust allocation law
  6. 6.6Simplified safety analysis
  7. 6.7Performance and mass estimation
  8. 6.8Comparison with a conventional configuration
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme 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 each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenVSP, XFLR5, SUAVE, MATLAB/Simulink and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for the aerodynamic estimation of blown-wing configurations, modelling multi-motor electrical networks and thrust allocation after failures. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: EASA SC-VTOL, EASA SC E-19, EASA CS-23, SAE ARP4761A / EUROCAE ED-135, SAE ARP4754B / EUROCAE ED-79B, MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160G / EUROCAE ED-14G, ASTM F3338

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of EASA SC-VTOL, SC E-19, CS-23 and SAE ARP4761A applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:OpenVSP, XFLR5, SUAVE, MATLAB/Simulink, Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:distributed propulsion configuration for a specific mission, with its aerodynamic, electrical and thrust allocation analysis compared against a conventional layout, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define the mission
Set the aircraft mission and requirements and propose a propulsion configuration.
Analyse the aerodynamics
Assess propeller–wing integration and lift augmentation with actuator disc or CFD models.
Design the electrical architecture
Lay out the distributed electrical network with its redundancy and fault isolation.
Allocate thrust safely
Develop the thrust allocation law and a simplified safety analysis with motor failures.
Final project
Estimate performance and mass, compare with a conventional configuration and present a report reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Conceptual Design EngineerElectric Propulsion EngineerAerodynamics EngineerFlight Control EngineerElectrical Systems EngineerAdvanced Air Mobility Researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • 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.

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FAQ

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 OpenVSP, XFLR5, SUAVE, MATLAB/Simulink, Ansys Fluent, 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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