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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Helicopter rotor and blade design course

Online course of 300 hours in helicopter rotor and blade design. 6 modules covering rotor aerodynamics, blade dynamics, blade aerodynamic design, blade structure and materials, and hub, controls and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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

Apply rotor aerodynamic theories.

02

Analyse blade flap and lead-lag dynamics.

03

Design the aerodynamic geometry of a blade.

04

Select blade materials and structure.

05

Assess fatigue and damage tolerance.

06

Understand rotor and component testing.

07

Size the main rotor of a helicopter.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Rotor design engineers
  • Helicopter aerodynamics engineers
  • Rotor dynamics engineers
  • Composite structures engineers
  • Rotor test engineers
  • Helicopter certification engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the aeronautics sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-29 (EASA) (certification specifications for large rotorcraft)
  • CS-27 (EASA) (certification specifications for small rotorcraft)
  • CS 29.571 (EASA) (fatigue tolerance evaluation of metallic structures)
  • FAA AC 29-2C (certification of transport category rotorcraft)
  • FAA AC 27-1B (certification of normal category rotorcraft)
  • ISO 2533 (standard atmosphere)
  • 14 CFR Part 29 (FAA airworthiness standards for transport category rotorcraft)
  • CAMRAD II
  • Dymore
  • MATLAB
  • Ansys Fluent
  • MSC Nastran
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Rotor momentum theory
  2. 1.2Blade element theory
  3. 1.3Induced and profile power
  4. 1.4Figure of merit in hover
  5. 1.5Axial flight and vortex ring state
  6. 1.6Forward flight and velocity asymmetry
  7. 1.7Retreating blade stall
  8. 1.8Compressibility effects at the blade tip
  9. 1.9Autorotation and the height-velocity diagram
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: calculating power in hover
  1. 2.1Flap, lead-lag and pitch hinges
  2. 2.2Flapping equation
  3. 2.3Flap and lag frequencies
  4. 2.4Southwell diagram
  5. 2.5Ground resonance
  6. 2.6Pitch-flap coupling and the delta-3 angle
  7. 2.7Blade loads and root moment
  8. 2.8Articulated, hingeless and bearingless rotors
  9. 2.9Elastomers and hub bearings
  10. 2.10Workshop: frequency diagram of an articulated blade
  1. 3.1Selection of blade aerofoils
  2. 3.2Geometric blade twist
  3. 3.3Chord distribution and taper
  4. 3.4Blade tips and their planform
  5. 3.5Rotor solidity and number of blades
  6. 3.6Tip speed and rotor radius
  7. 3.7Rotor noise and BVI reduction
  8. 3.8Design of the tail rotor and the fenestron
  9. 3.9Multidisciplinary blade optimisation
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: optimising the twist of a blade
  1. 4.1Spar, skin and core
  2. 4.2Glass and carbon fibre composite materials
  3. 4.3Mass balance and counterweights
  4. 4.4Leading-edge erosion protection
  5. 4.5Lightning protection and anti-icing
  6. 4.6Blade fatigue and safe life
  7. 4.7Damage tolerance in composite blades
  8. 4.8Manufacturing and quality control
  9. 4.9Blade repairs
  10. 4.10Case study: fatigue analysis at the blade root
  1. 5.1Rotor hub design
  2. 5.2Swashplate and collective and cyclic controls
  3. 5.3Vibrations transmitted to the fuselage
  4. 5.4Rotor whirl tower tests
  5. 5.5Component fatigue tests
  6. 5.6Wind tunnel testing of rotors
  7. 5.7In-flight tracking and balancing
  8. 5.8Rotor certification requirements
  9. 5.9Integrated analysis tools
  10. 5.10Lab: BEMT analysis of a rotor in forward flight
  1. 6.1Helicopter requirements
  2. 6.2Main rotor sizing
  3. 6.3Blade aerodynamic design
  4. 6.4Blade dynamics analysis
  5. 6.5Preliminary structural design
  6. 6.6Performance estimation
  7. 6.7Assessment against requirements
  8. 6.8Design conclusions
  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 CAMRAD II, Dymore, MATLAB, Ansys Fluent and MSC Nastran, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: rotor performance calculation, blade dynamics analysis and preliminary design of a composite blade. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: CS-29 (EASA), CS-27 (EASA), CS 29.571 (EASA), FAA AC 29-2C, FAA AC 27-1B, ISO 2533, 14 CFR Part 29

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-29 (EASA), CS-27 (EASA) and CS 29.571 (EASA) applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:CAMRAD II, Dymore, MATLAB, Ansys Fluent and MSC Nastran, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the design of a helicopter main rotor, from sizing and blade aerodynamic design to blade dynamics, preliminary structure and performance estimation, 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.

Requirements and rotor sizing
Define the helicopter requirements and size the main rotor.
Blade aerodynamic design
Design the aerodynamic geometry of the blade: aerofoils, twist, chord and tip.
Blade dynamics analysis
Analyse flap and lead-lag dynamics and check frequency placement.
Structure and performance
Produce the preliminary structural design and estimate rotor performance against requirements.
Final project
Present the design conclusions in a report reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Rotor design engineerHelicopter aerodynamics engineerRotor dynamics engineerComposite structures engineerRotor test engineerHelicopter certification engineer
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 CAMRAD II, Dymore, MATLAB, Ansys Fluent and MSC Nastran, 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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