Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Rotorcraft Design and Configuration

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in rotorcraft design and configuration. 8 modules covering rotary-wing configurations, rotor aerodynamics, conceptual sizing, hub and blade dynamics, stability and control, transmission and systems, structures and CS-27/CS-29 certification, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Diploma in Rotorcraft Design and Configuration — 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: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Ireland

  • Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)
  • European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
  • Aerospace Industry Ireland (AII)
  • Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

Typical roles

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Avionics Engineer
  • Airworthiness Engineer
  • Drone Systems Engineer

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.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Compare rotary-wing configurations against mission requirements.

02

Apply momentum theory and blade element theory to the rotor.

03

Carry out the conceptual sizing of a helicopter and estimate its power and weights.

04

Analyse blade dynamics, ground resonance and vibrations.

05

Assess stability and handling qualities using ADS-33E criteria.

06

Integrate transmission, engines and systems into the configuration.

07

Establish the CS-27 or CS-29 certification basis of an aircraft.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Helicopter design engineers
  • Rotor aerodynamics engineers
  • Dynamics and vibration engineers
  • Aircraft configuration engineers
  • Rotorcraft certification engineers
  • eVTOL project engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join helicopter manufacturers
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-27 (EASA) (small rotorcraft)
  • CS-29 (EASA) (large rotorcraft)
  • ADS-33E-PRF (handling qualities requirements for military rotorcraft)
  • 14 CFR Part 27 (FAA normal category rotorcraft)
  • 14 CFR Part 29 (FAA transport category rotorcraft)
  • ICAO Annex 16, Volume I (aircraft noise)
  • MIL-STD-1290A (light fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft crash resistance)
  • SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
  • NASA NDARC
  • CAMRAD II
  • FLIGHTLAB
  • OpenVSP
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Conventional helicopter with tail rotor
  2. 1.2Coaxial and tandem rotors
  3. 1.3Intermeshing rotors
  4. 1.4Autogyros and gyrodynes
  5. 1.5High-speed compound configurations
  6. 1.6eVTOL multirotors and lift+cruise
  7. 1.7Fenestron and NOTAR as anti-torque systems
  8. 1.8Historical evolution of configurations
  9. 1.9Selection criteria according to the mission
  10. 1.10Case study: configurations for mountain rescue
  1. 2.1Momentum theory in hover
  2. 2.2Blade element theory
  3. 2.3Figure of merit and disc loading
  4. 2.4Forward flight and advance ratio
  5. 2.5Retreating blade stall
  6. 2.6Compressibility at the blade tip
  7. 2.7Vortex ring state
  8. 2.8Ground effect and autorotation
  9. 2.9Blade twist and aerofoil selection
  10. 2.10Lab: BEMT calculation of a rotor in hover
  1. 3.1Mission requirements and flight profile
  2. 3.2Initial weight estimation
  3. 3.3Radius, solidity and tip speed
  4. 3.4Power required in hover and cruise
  5. 3.5Ceiling, range and endurance
  6. 3.6Engine selection and power margin
  7. 3.7Height-velocity diagram
  8. 3.8Sizing convergence loops
  9. 3.9Parametric sensitivity studies
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: sizing a light helicopter
  1. 4.1Articulated, teetering and rigid rotors
  2. 4.2Flap, lead-lag and pitch motions
  3. 4.3Bearingless hubs and elastomeric bearings
  4. 4.4Natural frequencies and the Campbell diagram
  5. 4.5Ground resonance
  6. 4.6Blade aeroelastic instabilities
  7. 4.7Vibrations transmitted to the fuselage
  8. 4.8Vibration absorbers and isolators
  9. 4.9Composite blades
  10. 4.10Lab: Campbell diagram of a blade
  1. 5.1Collective, cyclic and pedal controls
  2. 5.2Swashplate and mixing units
  3. 5.3Helicopter stability derivatives
  4. 5.4Characteristic dynamic modes
  5. 5.5Handling qualities according to ADS-33E
  6. 5.6Stability augmentation systems
  7. 5.7Fly-by-wire control in helicopters
  8. 5.8Inter-axis coupling
  9. 5.9Pilot workload
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: mode analysis with a linearised model
  1. 6.1Turboshaft engines and their integration
  2. 6.2Main gearbox
  3. 6.3Tail rotor drive
  4. 6.4Run-dry capability
  5. 6.5HUMS monitoring
  6. 6.6Crash-resistant fuel systems
  7. 6.7Hydraulic and electrical systems
  8. 6.8Hybridisation and electric propulsion
  9. 6.9Systems weight estimation
  10. 6.10Case study: transmission of a twin-engine helicopter
  1. 7.1Fuselage architecture and loads
  2. 7.2Skid and wheeled landing gear
  3. 7.3Crashworthiness and energy-absorbing seats
  4. 7.4Fatigue of dynamic components
  5. 7.5Damage tolerance in critical parts
  6. 7.6CS-27 and CS-29 certification bases
  7. 7.7Category A and B requirements
  8. 7.8Means of compliance and testing
  9. 7.9Noise certification according to ICAO
  10. 7.10Workshop: CS-27 compliance matrix
  1. 8.1Mission definition
  2. 8.2Reasoned configuration selection
  3. 8.3Rotor and power sizing
  4. 8.4Weight and balance estimation
  5. 8.5Performance analysis
  6. 8.6Stability and control assessment
  7. 8.7Proposed certification basis
  8. 8.8Conceptual drawing of the aircraft
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online 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 work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NASA NDARC, CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, OpenVSP and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: conceptual sizing of a helicopter for a defined mission, analysis of a rotor using blade element theory and compliance assessment against CS-27. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: CS-27 (EASA), CS-29 (EASA), ADS-33E-PRF, 14 CFR Part 27, 14 CFR Part 29, ICAO Annex 16, Volume I, MIL-STD-1290A, SAE ARP4754A.

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 ADS-33E-PRF applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:NASA NDARC, CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, OpenVSP and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete rotorcraft configuration for a defined mission, 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 configuration
Define the mission and justify the choice of rotary-wing configuration.
Rotor aerodynamic analysis
Size the rotor with BEMT and calculate power in hover and cruise.
Dynamics and Campbell diagram
Check blade frequencies, ground resonance and vibration levels.
Stability and certification basis
Assess handling qualities against ADS-33E and build a CS-27 compliance matrix.
Final project
A conceptual rotorcraft design with sizing, performance, weight and balance and proposed certification basis, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Helicopter design engineerRotor aerodynamics engineerDynamics and vibration engineerAircraft configuration engineerRotorcraft certification engineereVTOL project engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with NASA NDARC, CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, OpenVSP and MATLAB, 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 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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