Superstructure Aerodynamics Course
Online 300-hour course in superstructure aerodynamics. 6 modules covering CAP 437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas, ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Superstructure Aerodynamics Course — studying from Malta
Maritime activity is central to Malta's identity, with the Grand Harbour and Freeport at Marsaxlokk handling significant cargo and transhipment. Ship repair, yacht building and marine services form a important part of the sector, supported by a long tradition of shipbuilding and maritime engineering. Offshore and sports nautical activity, including yacht refit and marine leisure, provides further opportunities. Engineers typically work with shipyards, classification societies, port authorities and marine service providers.
Fees for Malta: €644 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies in Malta regulate naval and offshore engineering, and how does SEIUM fit in?
Malta is a major maritime nation, with the Transport Malta authority overseeing maritime affairs and the Malta Maritime Authority regulating shipping and registration. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition for maritime roles is decided by employers or the relevant regulator, so confirm this before enrolling.
Do employers in Malta's maritime and yachting sectors value this type of training?
Malta's maritime cluster, including shipping services, ship management and yacht-related businesses, employs engineers and technical staff. Hiring in these sectors often prioritises practical experience and relevant certifications. Whether a private online qualification helps depends on the employer, so asking prospective employers in Malta is the best way to judge its value.
Can I study this part-time while working offshore or on rotation, and what is the language requirement?
Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere with internet access, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so you need a good working level of technical English. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 airflow around naval superstructures.
Calculate wind forces and moments acting on the vessel.
Analyse turbulence on flight decks and helidecks.
Study exhaust gas dispersion and re-ingestion.
Apply CFD and wind tunnel testing to naval cases.
Assess passenger comfort in wind conditions.
Propose geometric improvements to superstructures.
Who it's for
- Naval aerodynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- Military vessel design engineer wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- Wind tunnel technician wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- Offshore helideck consultant wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- Comfort and habitability engineer wishing to specialise in Superstructure Aerodynamics.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter military shipyards.
What you'll work with
- CAP 437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas
- ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations
- OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG4)
- ISO 19901-1 Metocean design and operating considerations
- EN 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1: wind actions
- MARPOL Annex VI Prevention of air pollution
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Atmospheric boundary layer over the sea1.2Wind profile and surface roughness1.3Flow around bluff bodies1.4Separation, recirculation and wakes1.5Wind force and moment coefficients1.6Reynolds number and scale effects1.7Apparent wind and angle of incidence1.8Gusts and atmospheric turbulence1.9Influence of the superstructure on manoeuvring1.10Case study: wind forces on a container ship
2.1Helicopter operating envelope2.2Hangar turbulence and aft step2.3Airflow over frigates: SFS2 geometry2.4Rotor downwash and wake interaction2.5Pilot workload criteria2.6Helidecks on offshore platforms2.7Influence of funnels and masts2.8Design for turbulence reduction2.9Deck testing in wind tunnel2.10Case study: wind envelope of a helideck
3.1Dispersion of stack fumes3.2Gas re-ingestion at ventilation intakes3.3Contamination of passenger decks3.4Stack height and shape design3.5Plume temperature and sensors3.6Interference with radars and antennas3.7Emission regulations and their effect3.8Thermal dispersion simulation3.9Infrared signatures on military vessels3.10Workshop: fume re-ingestion study
4.1Meshing of complex superstructures4.2RANS versus LES and DES models4.3Boundary conditions with atmospheric profile4.4Boundary layer wind tunnel4.5Measurement with PIV and force balance4.6Visualisation with smoke and oil4.7Similitude and model scaling4.8CFD and wind tunnel validation4.9Uncertainty estimation4.10Laboratory: CFD of airflow over a simplified frigate
5.1Aerodynamic drag of high-sided vessels5.2Fairing of superstructures and containers5.3Protecting containers from wind5.4Rigid sails and Flettner rotors as aids5.5Passenger comfort on open decks5.6Wind comfort criteria (Lawson)5.7Aerodynamic noise from equipment5.8Wind loads on deck structures5.9Design of windbreak screens5.10Case study: redesign of a cruise ship deck
6.1Vessel definition and simplified geometry6.2Characterisation of design wind6.3Simulation of wind forces and moments6.4Turbulence analysis on the flight deck6.5Exhaust gas dispersion study6.6Comfort assessment on open decks6.7Proposal of geometric modifications6.8Wind tunnel validation plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The tests are studied through real procedures: CFD simulation of airflow over a flight deck, boundary layer wind tunnel model testing, and study of stack gas dispersion. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the airflow around naval superstructures.
Calculate wind forces and moments acting on the vessel.
Analyse turbulence on flight decks and helidecks.
Study exhaust gas dispersion and re-ingestion.
Apply CFD and wind tunnel testing to naval cases.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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, spread over 3 to 5 months. That averages between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Simcenter STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM and ParaView. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is an in-house qualification, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same field are credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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