MSc in

Aerospace Dynamics
Options in Aerodynamics
and Flight Dynamics

www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/aerodynamics

Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

MSc in Aerospace Dynamics

The aerospace industry in the UK is the largest in Europe. Aerodynamics and Flight
Dynamics will remain key elements in both the development of future aircraft and in
reducing civil transport environmental impact issues. As a result, skills in these areas will
be vital when developing the next generation of commercial aircraft. In the military
arena, aerodynamic modelling and flight dynamics play an important role in the design
and development of combat aircraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
The continuing search for aerodynamic refinement and performance optimisation
for the next generation of aircraft and surface vehicles creates the need for specialist
knowledge of fluid flow behaviour.
The MSc in Aerospace Dynamics aims to provide both fundamental and applied knowledge applicable to the understanding of airflows, vehicle dynamics and control and
methods for computational modelling. The course will provide students with practical
experience in the measurement, analysis, modelling and simulation of airflows and
aerial vehicles.
Students have the choice of two course options Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics.
Stand out from the crowd

Unique facilities

The course structure allows you to choose your own portfolio

of modules within the taught component. This means you can
tailor your studies to reflect your own strengths and interests.

Each student will have the opportunity to access a range of

facilities used during the taught and research elements of the
course including:

Why you should study this course and why study it at Cranfield?
Cranfield University has a truly global reputation for the quality
of its Aerospace education. The course is closely aligned
to the requirements of industry and you will be taught by a
dedicated teaching team with many years of both academic
and industrial experience. In addition to our academic experts,
students benefit from presentations by senior representatives
from industry. Guest lecturers are invited to give an overview
of current issues/challenges faced within their sector. Former
speakers have included representatives from Airbus, Boeing,
BAE Systems and Eurocopter.
You will also participate in the Group Flight Test Exercise,
which involves a series of flight tests (the most extensive
student flying campaign in the UK) in the NFLC Jetstream
Flying Laboratory - undertaken, reported and presented
as a group exercise.

Learning Environment
Cranfield University is a wholly postgraduate institution which
offers a mature and focused learning environment. We have
an international student body and a blend of full-time and
part-time students which contributes to a rich learning and
working experience that closely replicates the diverse range
of backgrounds and experiences found in industry teams.
As well as attracting top level students, Cranfield also attracts
some of the most proficient and passionate academic staff
which combined with our industrial scale facilities offers an
exceptional learning environment.

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Cranfield University MSc in Aerospace Dynamics

Wind Tunnels The Centre operates a number of wind

tunnels from low subsonic to hypersonic speeds
NFLC Jetstream Flying Laboratory
A specially instrumented Jetstream 31 aircraft
Cranfield Large Aircraft Flight Simulator
a Boeing 747 engineering flight simulator
Industry Standard commercial software packages
including ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB Simulink.

Focus on your interests

Students who enrol come from a variety of different backgrounds. Many have specific careers in mind, such as
working in the commercial aerospace, energy and automotive
industries, including aerodynamic analysis and design for
Formula 1 teams. Many go on to further study, both in the UK
and overseas.
Choice is a key feature of this course, allowing you to build
your own portfolio of skills around a core specialisation. There
are three elements to this course:
Specialist lecture modules a mixture of compulsory and
optional modules, including software training and guest
lectures by industry speakers
Group flight test activity involving sorties on the NFLC
Jetstream 31
Individual research project (thesis), which provides an
opportunity to deepen your expertise in a specific subject.

Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Research and Careers

Research at Cranfield University
The Centre for Aeronautics includes both academic and research
staff with a wide range of skills encompassing experimental,
aeronautical, automotive and industrial aerodynamics, flight
dynamics and control. Many have international reputations in
their respective fields and have been responsible for innovative
advances in applied aeronautics.
Our experimental activity covers:
Aeronautical Aerodynamics
Automotive Aerodynamics
Flow Control Techniques
High Speed Flows
Industrial Aerodynamics
Flight Test Techniques
Flight Dynamics and Simulation
Advanced Flight Control
Aircraft Flying and Handling Qualities.
Recent high profile clients have included: Airbus,
DSTL, Raytheon Systems Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover.

MSc Research Thesis Project

You will select your individual research project from a wide range of
topics offered during the first teaching period. The project is carried
out under the guidance of an academic staff member, who acts as
your supervisor. The individual project often provides an opportunity
to collaborate with industry.

I feel that the assignments reflect industry

relevant problems and that the professional
atmosphere adopted during the group projects
will prepare me well for my future career.
Furthermore, I have found that all lecturers have
extensive knowledge in their respective fields
and the academic staff are glad to help you
to stay on top of your work.
Jeff Theis - Aerospace Dynamics Graduate

Recent Individual Research Projects include:

Spiked body instabilities at supersonic speeds.
Aerodynamic loads on a race car wing in a vortex wake.
Lateral/directional stability of a tailless aircraft.
Aerodynamic drag penalties due to runback ice.
Automotive flow control using fluidic sheets.
Aerodynamic design and optimisation of a blended
wing body aircraft.

Your future career

The programme is specifically tailored to provide graduates with the
necessary skills to pursue a successful engineering career, who are
targeted for recruitment by companies and organisations.
Graduates of the course have been
successful gaining employment in:
Aerospace Industry
Defence Industry
Automotive Industry
Engineering Consultancies
Research Organisations
Academic Institutions.

Flight tests required for the group project are

one of the fascinating parts of the masters.
Moreover the two Slingsby flights organised during
the year allow you to feel what it is like to fly an
aircraft (even if you have never flown before!) and
understand the basis of the aircraft control.
Alexia Mallet - Aerospace Dynamics Graduate

If you are interested in research, many former graduates have

gone on to pursue PhDs either at Cranfield or elsewhere.

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www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/aerodynamics

Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Course information
There are three elements to this course a taught component, a group flight test and an individual research project. Choice
is a key feature, allowing you to build your own portfolio of skills around a core specialisation. During the course students will
select modules which effectively determine, along with their chosen project subject, one of two course options:
Aerodynamics
Flight Dynamics
The option does not need to be specified on application.
Students can decide which route they would prefer to adopt during the course.

Core Modules
The two compulsory modules are part of the Group Flight Test Report and provide an initial introduction to aerospace dynamics:
Introduction to Aircraft Aerodynamics
Aircraft Performance, Stability and Control

Optional Modules
Candidates choose a total of 80 credits from the following list:

Aerodynamics Optional Modules

Flight Dynamics Optional Modules

CFD for External Flows in Aerospace Applications

Compressible Flow
Engine Aerodynamics
Experimental Aerodynamics
Introduction to CFD
Introduction to Transonic Flow
Launch and Re-Entry Aerodynamics
Supercritical Aerofoil Design
Technology for Sustainable Aviation
Viscous Flow.

Aircraft Navigation & Sensors

Air-Vehicle Modelling & Simulation
Control Systems
Flight Dynamics Principles
Flying Qualities and Flight Control
Fundamentals of Rotorcraft Performance, Stability and Control
Introduction to Aircraft System Identification
Modelling of Dynamic Systems
Multivariable Control Systems for Aerospace Applications

Assessment
Taught Modules (40%), Group Flight Test (10%), Individual Research Project (50%). Assessment of taught component is a mixture
of written reports, examinations, practicals or presentations. The group flight test is assessed through a written report and group
presentation. A research thesis, oral examination and presentation constitute the assessment for the individual research project.

Key facts

Contact

Entry requirements
1st or 2nd class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in an
Engineering discipline, Mathematics or Physics. There is a
limited opportunity for candidates with other qualifications to
enter the course via a one-year Pre-Masters preparatory course,
which provides the necessary level of knowledge of engineering
principles applicable to Aerospace Dynamics.

Professor Kevin Garry

Tel: +44 (0) 1234 750111 ext 5135
Email: k.p.garry@cranfield.ac.uk

Methods of study
Full-time/Part-time

Start date
October

Number of places
38

4
Cranfield University MSc in Aerospace Dynamics

SoE1460

Duration
1 year full time
2-3 years part time

www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/aerodynamics