eVTOL Distributed Propulsion Course
Online course of 300 hours in distributed propulsion in eVTOL: 6 modules covering distributed propulsion principles, rotors and propellers, the electric powertrain, thrust control and allocation, and safety and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
eVTOL Distributed Propulsion Course — studying from New Zealand
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,080 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Questions from New Zealand
Will the programmes suit me if I work shifts or in remote locations?
The programmes are 100% online, and you can progress through the materials at times that fit your schedule. Start dates are set by the faculty for each intake, so plan ahead around your roster.
Can my employer help fund my study?
Many learners arrange company sponsorship, particularly where the programme relates to current or planned work. Instalment options are also available to spread the cost.
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 principles and benefits of distributed propulsion.
Design rotors and propellers for eVTOL.
Size the electric powertrain.
Formulate thrust allocation and control laws.
Analyse the fault tolerance of the propulsion system.
Apply electric propulsion certification requirements.
Assess the performance of a distributed architecture.
Who it's for
- Electric propulsion engineers
- Rotor aerodynamics engineers
- Flight control engineers
- Electrical machines engineers
- Systems safety engineers
- Electric aircraft researchers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into urban air mobility
What you'll work with
- EASA SC E-19 (special condition for electric/hybrid propulsion)
- EASA SC-VTOL-01 (special condition for VTOL aircraft)
- CS-E (EASA) (certification specifications for engines)
- CS-P (EASA) (certification specifications for propellers)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- OpenVSP with VSPAERO
- XROTOR
- Ansys Motor-CAD
- MATLAB/Simulink
- DUST
6 modules
1.1DEP concept and benefits1.2Scaling of electric motors1.3Aero-propulsive coupling between wing and propeller1.4Wing blowing and lift augmentation1.5Boundary layer ingestion1.6Differential thrust control1.7NASA X-57 project1.8Configurations in current eVTOL1.9Wing-edge and tip-mounted propellers1.10Practical exercise: comparison of propulsion architectures
2.1Blade design for hover2.2Fixed and variable-pitch propellers2.3Tilting rotors and their mechanisms2.4BEMT theory applied to propellers2.5Interaction between adjacent rotors2.6Wing and fuselage effects2.7Noise from multiple rotors2.8Stacked and coaxial rotors2.9Low tip-speed propellers2.10Lab: propeller design with XROTOR
3.1Permanent magnet synchronous motors3.2Axial flux motors3.3Power inverters3.4High-voltage bus topologies3.5Motor thermal management3.6Power density and efficiency3.7Mechanical integration between motor and propeller3.8Component reliability3.9Gearboxes versus direct drive3.10Workshop: motor sizing with Motor-CAD
4.1Control allocation matrix4.2Hover control4.3Control during transition4.4Actuator saturation4.5Single motor failure tolerance4.6Control reconfiguration4.7Modelling in Simulink4.8Handling requirements4.9Propulsor health sensors4.10Case study: loss of a rotor in an octocopter
5.1Special condition SC E-195.2SC-VTOL requirements5.3Propulsion failure modes5.4Common mode analysis5.5Electrical segregation between propulsors5.6Fire protection5.7Propulsor testing5.8Lightning and electromagnetic compatibility5.9Certification noise requirements5.10Case study: FHA of loss of thrust
6.1Aircraft requirements6.2Number and location of propulsors6.3Rotor design6.4Powertrain6.5Control allocation law6.6Failure analysis6.7Performance assessment6.8Battery and propulsor integration6.9Report 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 the intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenVSP with VSPAERO, XROTOR, Ansys Motor-CAD, MATLAB/Simulink and DUST, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for rotor and propeller design, electric powertrain sizing and propulsor failure simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: EASA SC E-19, EASA SC-VTOL-01, CS-E (EASA), CS-P (EASA), SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761, RTCA DO-160G.
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 OpenVSP with VSPAERO, XROTOR, Ansys Motor-CAD, MATLAB/Simulink and DUST, 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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