Diploma in FADEC Control Systems and Safety
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in FADEC Control Systems and Safety. 8 modules covering gas turbines and their control, control laws, FADEC architecture, system safety (ARP4754A, ARP4761), critical software (DO-178C), complex electronic hardware (DO-254) and testing, certification and diagnostics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in FADEC Control Systems and Safety — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 33 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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 how gas turbines work and what they require from their control system.
Design engine control and protection laws.
Analyse the redundant architecture of FADEC systems.
Apply development processes for critical software and hardware.
Assess the safety of the control system.
Plan verification and certification.
Manage maintenance and diagnostics of the control system.
Who it's for
- Engine control engineers.
- Critical embedded software engineers.
- Aircraft systems safety engineers.
- Engine certification engineers.
- Engine test engineers.
- Aerospace hardware engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C (software in airborne systems)
- RTCA DO-254 (airborne electronic hardware)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions for airborne equipment)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- SAE ARP4761 (system safety assessment)
- EASA CS-E (certification specifications for engines)
- 14 CFR 33.28 (engine control systems)
- MIL-HDBK-516C (airworthiness certification criteria)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ANSYS SCADE Suite
- LDRA Testbed
- Polyspace
- GasTurb
8 modules
1.1The Brayton cycle1.2Turbofans and turboshafts1.3Compressor maps and surge margins1.4Engine dynamics1.5Controlled and measured variables1.6History of hydromechanical control1.7Evolution towards FADEC1.8Control requirements1.9Interface with the aircraft1.10Case study: analysis of a compressor map
2.1Thrust control2.2Acceleration and deceleration control2.3Fuel scheduling2.4Variable geometry control2.5Overspeed protection2.6Temperature limits2.7Start-up and shutdown2.8Multivariable control2.9Control robustness2.10Lab: thrust control law in Simulink
3.1Redundant channels3.2Sensors and actuators3.3Fuel metering unit3.4Electrical power supply3.5Communications with the aircraft3.6Fault management3.7Degraded modes3.8Mechanical integration3.9DO-160G environmental conditions3.10Practical exercise: redundant FADEC architecture
4.1The ARP4754A process4.2ARP4761 safety assessment4.3Functional hazard assessment4.4Control system fault trees4.5Allocation of development assurance levels4.6Common cause failures4.7CS-E and 14 CFR 33.28 requirements4.8Zonal analysis4.9Time-limited dispatch4.10Case study: safety analysis of a FADEC
5.1Planning according to DO-178C5.2High-level and low-level requirements5.3Model-based design5.4Automatic code generation5.5Verification by review and analysis5.6MC/DC structural coverage5.7Static analysis5.8Tool qualification5.9Configuration management5.10Lab: structural coverage analysis
6.1The DO-254 process6.2FPGAs and ASICs in engine control6.3Hardware verification6.4Timing analysis6.5Radiation effects6.6Component reliability6.7Obsolescence6.8Environmental testing6.9Electromagnetic compatibility6.10Practical exercise: FPGA verification plan
7.1System rig testing7.2Engine test cell testing7.3Flight testing7.4Engine certification7.5Engine health monitoring7.6Fault diagnosis7.7FADEC maintenance7.8Software updates7.9In-service experience7.10Workshop: certification plan for a software change
8.1Engine definition8.2Control requirements specification8.3Control law design8.4System architecture8.5Safety analysis8.6Software and hardware plan8.7Verification plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS SCADE Suite, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace and GasTurb, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: designing a thrust control law in Simulink, the safety analysis of a FADEC system and software verification with structural coverage. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-254, RTCA DO-160G, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761, EASA CS-E, 14 CFR 33.28, MIL-HDBK-516C.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS SCADE Suite, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace and GasTurb, 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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