Aircraft Fuel Systems Course
Online course of 300 hours in aircraft fuel systems: 6 modules covering fuel system architecture, quantity measurement and management, fuel tank safety, fuel contamination and quality, components, certification and maintenance, and a fuel system project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Aircraft Fuel Systems Course — studying from Ireland
Ireland's aerospace sector is concentrated in Shannon, Limerick and the Dublin region, with a strong base of maintenance, repair and overhaul, avionics, aerostructures and engine component manufacturing. Multinational suppliers and specialist SMEs serve global airframe and engine programmes, while the Irish Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency shape certification and airworthiness requirements. Growing interest in drones, urban air mobility and space-related research is supported by university spin-outs and national research centres. Engineers here work on design assurance, systems integration, maintenance planning and compliance across the aviation value chain.
Fees for Ireland: €644 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for aerospace work?
SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state-awarded, and are not accredited by any national body. Engineers Ireland is the main professional body for engineers in Ireland and sets its own membership criteria, so recognition is decided by them, not by SEIUM. Aviation safety oversight sits with the Irish Aviation Authority. Check directly with these bodies before relying on any credential for licensing or chartership.
Do Irish aerospace and drone employers value private online engineering qualifications?
Hiring in Ireland's aerospace and drone sector is generally driven by demonstrable skills, relevant experience and, for many roles, recognised degrees. A private qualification may support a CV, particularly alongside practical experience, but its weight is decided by each employer. We cannot promise any outcome. Speaking to prospective employers about how they view SEIUM's programmes is the most reliable way to judge.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in Ireland?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. You will have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments. Some employers offer funding, which you should ask about directly.
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
Understand the architecture and functions of an aircraft fuel system.
Analyse fuel quantity measurement and management systems.
Apply flammability reduction and ignition prevention requirements.
Manage fuel contamination and quality in service.
Know the certification and maintenance requirements of the system.
Diagnose common faults in fuel systems.
Design the fuel system of a conceptual aircraft.
Who it's for
- Fuel systems engineers looking to deepen their aircraft expertise.
- Aircraft systems engineers responsible for ATA 28 or related systems.
- Systems certification engineers working with CS-25 and FAA requirements.
- Aircraft maintenance engineers dealing with fuel tanks and components.
- Fuel systems technicians who want a solid engineering foundation.
- Systems safety engineers working on fuel tank flammability and ignition prevention.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join aircraft manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- EASA CS-25 (Subpart E, 25.951 to 25.1001) (powerplant fuel system requirements for large aeroplanes)
- 14 CFR 25.981 (fuel tank ignition prevention and flammability)
- SFAR 88 (fuel tank system safety review)
- FAA AC 25.981-1D (guidance on fuel tank ignition source prevention)
- RTCA DO-160G / EUROCAE ED-14G (environmental testing of airborne equipment)
- ASTM D1655 (aviation turbine fuel specification)
- Def Stan 91-091 (Jet A-1 turbine fuel specification)
- MIL-DTL-83133 (military kerosene-based turbine fuels)
- Flowmaster (Simcenter Flomaster)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Ansys Fluent
- CATIA V5
- AMESim
6 modules
1.1System functions according to ATA Chapter 281.2Wing, centre and tail tanks1.3Tank venting and pressurisation1.4Boost and transfer pumps1.5Crossfeed between engines1.6Pressure and gravity refuelling1.7Fuel jettison1.8Centre of gravity management1.9Configurations in regional and long-haul aircraft1.10Case study: schematic of a single-aisle twin-engine aircraft
2.1Capacitive and ultrasonic probes2.2Density and temperature compensation2.3Fuel quantity computer2.4Cockpit indication and alerts2.5Ground measurement and drip sticks2.6Calculating mass from volume2.7Automatic transfer management2.8Leak and imbalance detection2.9Required accuracy and tolerances2.10Workshop: probe calibration in an irregularly shaped tank
3.1Flammability requirements of 14 CFR 25.9813.2Ignition sources in tanks3.3SFAR 88 analysis and its consequences3.4Nitrogen inerting systems3.5Lightning protection in composite structures3.6Intrinsically safe wiring design3.7Static electricity during refuelling3.8The TWA 800 accident and its lessons3.9CDCCL airworthiness limitations3.10Lab: flammability exposure using Monte Carlo analysis
4.1Free and dissolved water in fuel4.2Microbial growth and its control4.3Ice formation and filter blockage4.4Particulates and filtration4.5Low-temperature fuel and freezing4.6Anti-icing and anti-static additives4.7Sampling and sump draining4.8Effects of alternative fuels4.9Investigation of the B777 incident at Heathrow4.10Practical exercise: microbiological control plan for a fleet
5.1Valves, actuators and pipework5.2Seals and sealants in integral tanks5.3CS-25 Subpart E requirements5.4Component testing to DO-160G5.5System safety analysis5.6Scheduled maintenance tasks5.7Tank entry and personnel safety5.8Leak repair in integral tanks5.9Reliability and in-service data5.10Case study: diagnosing a persistent fuel imbalance
6.1Aircraft and engine requirements6.2Tank layout and capacities6.3Pump, valve and pipework schematic6.4Quantity measurement system6.5Flammability protection measures6.6Functional safety analysis6.7Proposed maintenance plan6.8Regulatory compliance verification6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 Flowmaster (Simcenter Flomaster), MATLAB/Simulink, Ansys Fluent, CATIA V5 and AMESim, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for sizing fuel transfer systems, calculating tank flammability exposure and diagnosing faults in quantity measurement. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EASA CS-25 (Subpart E, 25.951 to 25.1001), 14 CFR 25.981, SFAR 88, FAA AC 25.981-1D, RTCA DO-160G / EUROCAE ED-14G, ASTM D1655, Def Stan 91-091, MIL-DTL-83133
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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 Flowmaster (Simcenter Flomaster), MATLAB/Simulink, Ansys Fluent, CATIA V5, AMESim, 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.
Related programmes
Tiltrotor operation course in urban environments
Online course of 300 hours in tiltrotor operations in urban environments. 6 modules covering tiltrotor technology, the urban operating environment, take-off and landing procedures, operations and…
FPGA/ASIC verification course in avionics
Online course of 300 hours in FPGA/ASIC verification in avionics. 6 modules covering hardware verification methodologies, SystemVerilog and UVM, formal verification, implementation verification, hardware testing and…
Predictive maintenance course in production
Online course of 300 hours in predictive maintenance in production, structured in 6 modules covering maintenance strategies, condition monitoring, data analytics, shop-floor implementation and asset management,…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships