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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.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the properties of the atmosphere and of airflow.

02

Analyse the aerodynamic characteristics of aerofoils.

03

Calculate the lift and induced drag of a finite wing.

04

Build the aerodynamic drag polar of an aircraft.

05

Estimate basic flight performance.

06

Assess longitudinal static stability.

07

Use aerodynamic analysis tools.

Profile

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
Standards & tools

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
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1International Standard Atmosphere
  2. 1.2Properties of air: density, pressure and viscosity
  3. 1.3Continuity and Bernoulli equations
  4. 1.4Reynolds number and Mach number
  5. 1.5Laminar and turbulent boundary layer
  6. 1.6Boundary layer separation
  7. 1.7Indicated, calibrated and true airspeed
  8. 1.8Pressure measurement with a Pitot tube
  9. 1.9Aerodynamic similarity and dimensionless numbers
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: calculating airspeeds at different altitudes
  1. 2.1Aerofoil geometry: camber and thickness
  2. 2.2NACA aerofoil families
  3. 2.3Lift and moment coefficients
  4. 2.4Pressure distribution over the aerofoil
  5. 2.5Thin aerofoil theory
  6. 2.6Stall and critical angle of attack
  7. 2.7Aerofoil drag polar
  8. 2.8Effect of Reynolds number on the aerofoil
  9. 2.9Laminar and supercritical aerofoils
  10. 2.10Lab: aerofoil analysis with XFOIL
  1. 3.1Wingtip vortices
  2. 3.2Induced drag and Oswald efficiency factor
  3. 3.3Prandtl lifting-line theory
  4. 3.4Aspect ratio and taper ratio
  5. 3.5Sweep and dihedral
  6. 3.6Spanwise lift distribution
  7. 3.7Winglets and wingtip devices
  8. 3.8Vortex lattice method
  9. 3.9Wing stall behaviour
  10. 3.10Workshop: modelling a wing with XFLR5
  1. 4.1Parasite and skin-friction drag
  2. 4.2Form and interference drag
  3. 4.3Complete aircraft drag polar
  4. 4.4Maximum aerodynamic efficiency
  5. 4.5Trailing-edge flaps
  6. 4.6Slats and leading-edge devices
  7. 4.7Aerodynamics in take-off and landing configuration
  8. 4.8Ground effect in take-off and landing
  9. 4.9Compressibility effects in the transonic regime
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: building the drag polar of a light aircraft
  1. 5.1Equations of level flight
  2. 5.2Stall speed and minimum speed
  3. 5.3Climb, glide and ceiling
  4. 5.4Range and endurance
  5. 5.5Turning flight and load factor
  6. 5.6Take-off and landing
  7. 5.7Longitudinal static stability
  8. 5.8Aerodynamic centre and static margin
  9. 5.9Performance certification requirements
  10. 5.10Case study: performance of a general aviation aircraft
  1. 6.1Definition of the study aircraft
  2. 6.2Aerofoil selection
  3. 6.3Wing planform design
  4. 6.4Drag polar calculation
  5. 6.5Performance estimation
  6. 6.6Longitudinal stability analysis
  7. 6.7Comparison with reference data
  8. 6.8Conclusions of the aerodynamic analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-23 (EASA), CS-25 (EASA) and ISO 2533 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:XFOIL, XFLR5, OpenVSP and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an aerodynamic analysis of a study aircraft, from aerofoil selection and wing planform design to drag polar, performance and longitudinal stability, 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.

Aircraft and aerofoil selection
Define the study aircraft and select a suitable aerofoil.
Wing planform design
Design the wing planform and model it with vortex-lattice tools.
Drag polar and performance
Calculate the aircraft drag polar and estimate its flight performance.
Stability and validation
Analyse longitudinal stability and compare the results with reference data.
Final project
Present the conclusions of the aerodynamic analysis in a report reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aerodynamics engineerAircraft design engineerPerformance engineerAeronautical engineering technicianUnmanned aerial vehicle engineerFlight data analyst
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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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 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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