Helicopter Aerodynamics Course: An Academic Approach
Online 300-hour course in helicopter aerodynamics from an academic perspective. 6 modules covering ADS-33E-PRF (helicopter flying qualities), CS-29 (large helicopters, EASA) and MATLAB. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Helicopter Aerodynamics Course: An Academic Approach — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$1,240 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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
Explain the physical principles of helicopter flight.
Apply momentum theory and blade element theory to the rotor.
Calculate performance in hover, climb and forward flight.
Analyse the stability and control of the helicopter.
Identify critical phenomena such as vortex ring state and retreating blade stall.
Relate design and test requirements to operations.
Develop an aerodynamic study of a helicopter.
Who it's for
- Helicopter aerodynamics engineer who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Performance engineer who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Flight mechanics engineer who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Flight test engineer who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Rotor dynamics analyst who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Researcher in rotary-wing aircraft who wants to specialise in Helicopter Aerodynamics from an academic approach.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the helicopter industry.
What you'll work with
- ADS-33E-PRF (helicopter flying qualities)
- CS-29 (large helicopters, EASA)
- CS-27 (small helicopters, EASA)
- ISO 2533 (standard atmosphere)
- 14 CFR Part 29 (FAA)
- AC 29-2C (certification guidance for transport category helicopters)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Essential differences from fixed wing1.2The rotor understood as a rotating wing1.3Lift, drag and torque reaction1.4Collective, cyclic and pedal controls1.5The swashplate and how it transmits the command to the blade1.6Anti-torque rotor and its alternatives1.7Configurations: single rotor, tandem, coaxial and intermeshing1.8Vocabulary and reference axes1.9Helicopter-specific instrumentation1.10Exercise: tracing a control input from the cockpit to the blade
2.1Momentum theory and the actuator disc2.2Blade element theory2.3Hover and induced power2.4Ground effect and how far it extends2.5Forward flight and lift asymmetry2.6Flapping, drag and pitch variation2.7Flow over the rotor disc and reverse flow regions2.8Compressibility on the advancing blade2.9Retreating blade stall2.10Practice: calculating the power required in hover
3.1Power required versus airspeed curve3.2Characteristic speeds and endurance3.3Hover ceiling in and out of ground effect3.4Effect of weight, altitude and temperature3.5Performance charts and how to read them3.6Vertical climb and its limitations3.7Autorotation: principle and energy management3.8Height-velocity diagram and the unsafe zone3.9Power margin and flight planning3.10Practice: solving a complete performance problem
4.1Static and dynamic stability4.2Off-axis couplings4.3Stability augmentation systems4.4Ground resonance4.5Vortex ring state and how to recover from it4.6Tail rotor loss of effectiveness4.7Vibrations and their rotor origin4.8Blade loads and fatigue life4.9Rotor noise and noise reduction options4.10Practice: analysing an incident caused by an aerodynamic phenomenon
5.1Rotor design parameters5.2Blade profiles and twist5.3Blade materials and construction5.4Blade balancing and tracking5.5Wind tunnel and flight tests5.6Test instrumentation5.7Certification and applicable requirements5.8Special operations: external load, mountain and maritime5.9Rotor-related maintenance5.10Practice: test plan for a blade modification
6.1Choice of aircraft and mission6.2Performance requirements6.3Preliminary rotor sizing6.4Performance calculation6.5Analysis of critical phenomena6.6Test plan6.7Proposed operating limitations6.8Comparison with existing aircraft6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, XFOIL, OpenFOAM, FLIGHTLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The test cases are studied using real performance calculation procedures with blade element theory, helicopter flight simulation, and analysis of published flight test data. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physical principles of helicopter flight.
Apply momentum theory and blade element theory to the rotor.
Calculate performance in hover, climb and forward flight.
Analyse the stability and control of the helicopter.
Identify critical phenomena such as vortex ring state and retreating blade stall.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to read technical regulations.
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, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The work is carried out with MATLAB, XFOIL, OpenFOAM, FLIGHTLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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