Black start course in aeronautical systems
Online course of 300 hours in black start in aeronautical systems, structured in 6 modules covering on-board power architecture, engine and APU starting, in-flight relight, emergency power and RAT, and safety and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Black start course in aeronautical systems — studying from Malta
Malta's aerospace activity is concentrated around Malta International Airport at Luqa, where aircraft maintenance, cabin interiors and aviation services form a significant part of the local economy. The island's aviation sector is supported by a long-established regulatory framework and a growing interest in drone operations and advanced air mobility. Engineers here commonly find work with aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation services providers and companies engaged in unmanned systems testing. Expertise in airworthiness, systems integration and regulatory compliance is particularly valued by employers operating within this niche but internationally connected market.
Fees for Malta: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which professional bodies in Malta recognise engineers working in aerospace, UAM, drones and space, and how does that affect my title?
Malta's Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' under the Engineering Profession Act. Aviation safety is overseen by the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority's aviation counterpart, Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate, which licenses operators and certain technical staff. A private SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition depends on the employer or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta might hire someone with an aerospace or drone engineering background?
Malta has an aviation sector centred on Malta International Airport, aircraft maintenance and MRO activity, and a growing drone and space-related presence at the University of Malta and in private firms. Employers vary in their hiring criteria. A private qualification can support a application, but employers will weigh it against experience and any formal credentials they require.
Can I realistically study this 1,900-hour programme while working full time in Malta, and do I need a visa?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Malta or elsewhere without a student visa. Each student gets an assigned technical tutor. Workload should be planned around your job; 1,900 hours is substantial, so most working professionals spread it over a long period. Ask about employer sponsorship and instalment fee options before enrolling.
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 electrical and pneumatic power architecture of an aircraft.
Analyse engine and APU start sequences.
Assess the in-flight engine relight envelope.
Size emergency power sources such as the RAT.
Apply safety analysis techniques to total loss of power scenarios.
Identify the applicable certification requirements.
Design an on-board power recovery strategy.
Who it's for
- Aircraft electrical systems engineers working on power distribution.
- System safety engineers analysing loss-of-power scenarios.
- Certification engineers dealing with CS-25 and Part 25 compliance.
- Propulsion engineers involved in engine start and relight.
- Operations technical support engineers at airlines and MROs.
- Technical systems instructors who train crews and maintenance staff.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter aeronautics.
What you'll work with
- CS-25 (EASA certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
- 14 CFR Part 25 (25.903 and 25.1351) (FAA airworthiness standards for transport category aeroplanes)
- CS-E (CS-E 910) (EASA certification specifications for engines, relight)
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process for civil aircraft systems)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- ETSO-C77b (installed auxiliary power units)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Simscape Electrical
- Isograph Reliability Workbench
- GasTurb
- PSIM
6 modules
1.1Electrical generation in engines and APU1.2AC and DC buses and essential distribution1.3Emergency sources: batteries and RAT1.4Pneumatic systems and engine bleed1.5More electric aircraft architectures1.6Essential loads and load shedding1.7The black start concept applied to aircraft1.8Total loss of power scenarios1.9Management of main and APU batteries1.10Workshop: emergency electrical distribution diagram
2.1Pneumatic and electric starters2.2Starter-generators in modern engines2.3Start sequence of a turbofan2.4Autonomous APU start on battery2.5APU altitude limitations2.6Failed starts: hung start and hot start2.7FADEC control during start2.8Ground sources: GPU and start air2.9Cross-bleed start with air from another engine2.10Practical: analysis of a start sequence with a failure
3.1Engine relight envelope3.2Windmilling and starter-assisted relight3.3Ignition and flame stability at altitude3.4Dual engine flameout and procedures3.5In-flight APU start3.6Influence of airspeed and altitude3.7Relight certification requirements3.8Historical cases of dual engine loss3.9Fuel control during relight3.10Case study: analysis of US Airways Flight 1549
4.1Sizing of the ram air turbine4.2Emergency hydraulic and electrical generation4.3Emergency batteries and endurance4.4Progressive bus restoration4.5Load priority and reconfiguration4.6Electrical architectures with HVDC4.7Helicopter and regional aircraft systems4.8Reliability of the recovery chain4.9Backup of critical avionics4.10Lab: bus restoration simulation
5.1Functional safety assessment5.2Fault tree analysis5.3Catastrophic failure conditions5.4Relight capability requirements5.5Environmental qualification of equipment5.6Crew training and procedures5.7Lessons from incidents and recommendations5.8Bench testing of electrical systems5.9Common cause failure analysis5.10Case study: FTA of total loss of power
6.1Definition of power loss scenarios6.2Proposed recovery architecture6.3Sizing of emergency sources6.4Restoration sequence6.5Safety and reliability analysis6.6Applicable certification requirements6.7Associated operating procedures6.8Validation by simulation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape Electrical, Isograph Reliability Workbench, GasTurb and PSIM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: simulation of bus restoration after a total loss of power, fault tree analysis of an emergency electrical system, and study of the relight envelope of a turbofan. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CS-25, 14 CFR Part 25 (25.903 and 25.1351), CS-E (CS-E 910), SAE ARP4761, SAE ARP4754A, MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160G, ETSO-C77b.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape Electrical, Isograph Reliability Workbench, GasTurb and PSIM, 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 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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