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Introduction to Airframe Design Course

Online course of 300 hours in introductory fuselage design. 6 modules covering fuselage functions and configuration, fuselage loads, semi-monocoque structural design, materials and manufacturing, and analysis and verification, 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

Define the configuration and cross-section of the fuselage.

02

Calculate the design loads acting on the fuselage.

03

Apply thin-walled structures theory.

04

Select suitable metallic and composite materials.

05

Analyse panels using finite elements.

06

Understand structural certification requirements.

07

Produce the preliminary design of a fuselage.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aircraft structures engineers
  • Fuselage design engineers
  • Finite element analysis engineers
  • Composite materials engineers
  • Cabin configuration engineers
  • Structural certification engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the aeronautics sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-25 (EASA) (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
  • CS-23 (EASA) (certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
  • 14 CFR Part 25 (FAA airworthiness standards for transport-category aeroplanes)
  • FAA AC 20-107B (composite aircraft structure)
  • MMPDS (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization)
  • CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook)
  • Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 (airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft)
  • CATIA V5
  • MSC Nastran
  • Femap
  • Abaqus
  • OpenVSP
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Structural and operational functions of the fuselage
  2. 1.2Configurations of commercial and light aircraft
  3. 1.3Cross-section and cabin sizing
  4. 1.4Layout of seats, doors and exits
  5. 1.5Cargo holds and containers
  6. 1.6Fuselage aerodynamics and drag
  7. 1.7Integration of wing, landing gear and empennage
  8. 1.8Emergency evacuation requirements
  9. 1.9Cabin ergonomics and comfort
  10. 1.10Case study: cross-section of a regional aircraft
  1. 2.1Flight loads and the manoeuvre diagram
  2. 2.2Gust loads
  3. 2.3Landing and ground loads
  4. 2.4Pressurisation as a cyclic load
  5. 2.5Emergency and ditching loads
  6. 2.6Shear force and bending moment distribution
  7. 2.7Fuselage torsion
  8. 2.8Safety factors and ultimate loads
  9. 2.9Certification strength requirements
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: internal load diagrams of a simplified fuselage
  1. 3.1Skin, stringers and frames
  2. 3.2Thin-walled beam theory
  3. 3.3Shear flow in closed sections
  4. 3.4Buckling of panels and stringers
  5. 3.5Cut-outs and reinforcement of doors and windows
  6. 3.6Pressure bulkheads
  7. 3.7Riveted joints and their design
  8. 3.8Damage tolerance and fail-safe design
  9. 3.9Crashworthiness
  10. 3.10Workshop: calculating shear flow in a section
  1. 4.1Aerospace aluminium alloys
  2. 4.2Aluminium-lithium alloys in skins
  3. 4.3Titanium in critical areas
  4. 4.4Carbon fibre composite materials
  5. 4.5Sandwich panels and honeycomb cores
  6. 4.6Composite fuselage barrels
  7. 4.7Composite manufacturing processes
  8. 4.8Corrosion and surface protection
  9. 4.9Material allowables
  10. 4.10Case study: metal versus composite comparison of a panel
  1. 5.1Finite element models of the fuselage
  2. 5.2Linear static analysis
  3. 5.3Buckling analysis
  4. 5.4Structural test pyramid
  5. 5.5Full-scale static test
  6. 5.6Fuselage fatigue test
  7. 5.7Structural inspection and maintenance
  8. 5.8Certification documentation
  9. 5.9Structural weight optimisation
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: finite element analysis of a stiffened panel
  1. 6.1Aircraft requirements
  2. 6.2Configuration and cabin cross-section
  3. 6.3Calculation of design loads
  4. 6.4Preliminary structural design
  5. 6.5Materials selection
  6. 6.6Finite element analysis
  7. 6.7Weight estimation
  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 CATIA V5, MSC Nastran, Femap, Abaqus and OpenVSP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: load calculation for a fuselage, finite element analysis of a panel and preliminary design of a cabin section. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: CS-25 (EASA), CS-23 (EASA), 14 CFR Part 25, FAA AC 20-107B, MMPDS, CMH-17, 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-25 (EASA), CS-23 (EASA) and 14 CFR Part 25 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:CATIA V5, MSC Nastran, Femap, Abaqus and OpenVSP, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the preliminary design of an aircraft fuselage, from cabin configuration and design loads to structural layout, materials selection, finite element analysis and weight 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 configuration
Define the aircraft requirements, the fuselage configuration and the cabin cross-section.
Design loads
Calculate the design loads acting on the fuselage.
Preliminary structure and materials
Lay out the preliminary semi-monocoque structure and select the materials.
FE analysis and weight
Analyse the structure with finite elements and estimate its weight.
Final project
Present the design conclusions in a report reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aircraft structures engineerFuselage design engineerFinite element analysis engineerComposite materials engineerCabin configuration engineerStructural 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 CATIA V5, MSC Nastran, Femap, Abaqus and OpenVSP, 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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