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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Rotary-Wing Aerodynamics

600-hour online postgraduate diploma in helicopter aerodynamics: rotor in hover and forward flight, blade dynamics, aerofoils, wake and noise, autorotation, performance and CS-27/CS-29, with an assigned tutor.

Duration600 hours · 6–9 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Calculate rotor power in hover using momentum theory and blade element theory.

02

Analyse flow asymmetry in forward flight and derive the power required curve.

03

Explain flapping and lead-lag dynamics, cyclic and collective control and ground resonance.

04

Select aerofoils and define blade geometry supported by testing and CFD.

05

Assess the wake, rotor noise and the interaction between main rotor, tail rotor and fuselage.

06

Interpret autorotation, the height-velocity diagram and the vortex ring state.

07

Determine performance and the flight envelope in line with CS-27 and CS-29.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aeronautical engineers working on helicopter design, analysis or integration.
  • Flight test engineers planning performance, vibration and loads campaigns.
  • Helicopter maintenance engineers carrying out blade balancing and tracking.
  • Helicopter pilots with a technical background who want to understand their aircraft’s performance and limits.
  • Engineers working on rotor-based drones and urban air mobility vehicles.
  • Aerospace or mechanical engineering graduates looking to specialise in rotary wing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-27 (certification specifications for small rotorcraft)
  • CS-29 (certification specifications for large rotorcraft)
  • ICAO Annex 16, Volume I (aircraft noise)
  • CS-36 (certification specifications for aircraft noise)
  • Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (common rules in civil aviation (EASA Basic Regulation))
  • Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (air operations)
  • ISO 2533 (standard atmosphere)
  • ADS-33E-PRF (handling qualities requirements for military rotorcraft)
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Momentum theory and the actuator disc
  2. 1.2Induced velocity and ideal rotor power
  3. 1.3Blade element theory and its integration
  4. 1.4Rotor figure of merit in hover
  5. 1.5Rotor solidity and disc loading
  6. 1.6Thrust and torque coefficients
  7. 1.7Ground effect and increased lift
  8. 1.8Blade twist and load distribution
  9. 1.9Tip losses and the Prandtl model
  10. 1.10Tip Mach number and compressibility
  1. 2.1Advance ratio and its aerodynamic effect
  2. 2.2Asymmetry between advancing and retreating blades
  3. 2.3Flapping, lead-lag and cyclic pitch variation
  4. 2.4Reverse flow region at the root
  5. 2.5Retreating blade stall
  6. 2.6Speed limit due to tip compressibility
  7. 2.7Parasite, induced and profile power
  8. 2.8Power required versus airspeed curve
  9. 2.9Best-range and best-endurance speeds
  10. 2.10Effect of crosswind in hover
  1. 3.1Flapping and lead-lag hinges
  2. 3.2Rigid, teetering and articulated rotors
  3. 3.3Swashplate and collective control
  4. 3.4Precession and the ninety-degree phase lag
  5. 3.5Rotor coning and flapping angle
  6. 3.6Ground resonance
  7. 3.7Pitch-flap coupling divergence
  8. 3.8Lead-lag dampers and their adjustment
  9. 3.9Blade balancing and tracking
  10. 3.10Blade-passage frequency vibration
  1. 4.1Aerofoil selection by pitching moment
  2. 4.2Aerofoils specific to rotary wings
  3. 4.3Tip geometry: sweep, taper and anhedral
  4. 4.4Non-linear twist and the optimised blade
  5. 4.5Number of blades and the trade-offs
  6. 4.6Composite materials and blade stiffness
  7. 4.7Wind tunnel testing with a scale rotor
  8. 4.8Rotor CFD analysis and its validation
  9. 4.9Leading-edge erosion and protection
  10. 4.10Blade de-icing and its penalty
  1. 5.1Tip vortices and wake geometry
  2. 5.2Blade-vortex interaction and its acoustic impulse
  3. 5.3Loading noise and thickness noise
  4. 5.4Rotor broadband noise
  5. 5.5Interference between main rotor and fuselage
  6. 5.6Tail rotor operating in the main rotor wake
  7. 5.7Loss of tail rotor effectiveness
  8. 5.8Fuselage and landing gear drag
  9. 5.9Noise certification and flight profiles
  10. 5.10Noise measurement on the rig and in flight
  1. 6.1Force balance in steady autorotation
  2. 6.2Height-velocity diagram and avoid zones
  3. 6.3Rotor energy and blade inertia
  4. 6.4Autorotative landing manoeuvre
  5. 6.5Turbulent wake state and vortex ring state
  6. 6.6Loss of yaw control authority
  7. 6.7Low-speed flight with a tailwind
  8. 6.8Hover ceiling at maximum weight
  9. 6.9Effect of density and altitude
  10. 6.10Flight with one engine inoperative
  1. 7.1Calculating service ceiling and hover ceiling
  2. 7.2Payload and radius of action curves
  3. 7.3Correcting data to standard atmosphere
  4. 7.4Test instrumentation and its calibration
  5. 7.5Determining the power polar
  6. 7.6CS-27 and CS-29 performance requirements
  7. 7.7Category A and B operations
  8. 7.8Vibration and flight loads testing
  9. 7.9Flight envelope and published limitations
  10. 7.10Flight manual and performance data
  1. 8.1Defining the mission and performance requirements
  2. 8.2Preliminary sizing of the disc and solidity
  3. 8.3Selecting aerofoils by radial station
  4. 8.4Calculation with blade element theory
  5. 8.5Estimating power in hover and forward flight
  6. 8.6Plotting the power curve and optimum speeds
  7. 8.7Estimating ceiling and payload
  8. 8.8Analysing the envelope and its limiting factors
  9. 8.9Acoustic estimate and mitigation measures
  10. 8.10Technical report and defence of the results
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each 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 MATLAB, Python, XFOIL, OpenFOAM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on published data from real rotors and helicopters, scale rotor wind tunnel tests and flight test records. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrated project.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-27, CS-29 and ICAO Annex 16, Volume I applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB, Python, XFOIL and OpenFOAM, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the complete aerodynamic analysis of a rotor, from mission definition and disc sizing to blade element calculation, power curve, ceiling, flight envelope and acoustic estimate, 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.

Mission and sizing
Define the mission and performance requirements and size the disc and solidity.
Aerofoils and blade elements
Select aerofoils by radial station and analyse the rotor with blade element theory.
Power and speeds
Estimate power in hover and forward flight and plot the power curve with its optimum speeds.
Ceiling and envelope
Estimate the ceiling and payload and analyse the envelope and its limiting factors.
Noise and report
Estimate the noise with mitigation measures and defend the results in the technical report.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Rotor aerodynamics engineerHelicopter performance engineerFlight test engineerCFD engineerDynamics and vibration engineerRotorcraft certification engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run 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 600 hours over 6–9 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB, Python, XFOIL and OpenFOAM, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, 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.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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