Name..

University of Hertfordshire
School of Engineering and Technology

Issue 1 - 05 October 2016

AEROSPACE GROUP DESIGN - 2016/2017

Special Missions Platform Aircraft

The Aerospace Group Design Course is undertaken in the final year of study by all students following the
MEng, BEng and BSc Aerospace programmes. It represents the equivalent of one module of study, and
embraces a number of unique aspects of which students must be aware at the outset. It is a group
activity in which students will operate as small groups of specialists. Study is self-directed within the
groups work plan, with staff acting in a mainly advisory role. Introductory material and tutorial periods
are provided. Peer assessment is a strong element of the course, with staff moderation as appropriate.
The course aims to simulate the situation occurring in industry at the preliminary design phase (Project
Definition) of a new aircraft design.

Course General Aims

1. To provide students with a realistic experience of a major aircraft design project.
2. To encourage leadership and team-working qualities through participation in a group activity that is
subject to strict requirements and timescales.
3. To provide experience of management through participation in the planning and control of the project.
4. To encourage a professional attitude to the application of engineering knowledge and skills.

Course Objectives
1. To appreciate the interactions of requirements within aerospace engineering.
2. To develop technical competence in the application of academic theory with an appreciation of the
limitations encountered.
3. To further develop the skills of written, graphical and oral communication.

Course Organisation
The total cohort of students will be divided into groups of 10 (or exceptionally 9 or 11), supported by
four academic staff. The number and sizes of groups will depend on student numbers.
Each design group will meet with a prescribed academic supervisor for 25 minutes every week over 2
semesters during the timetabled slots, in accordance with a set rota. The prime roles of the academic
supervisor during these formal meetings are to monitor the progress of the group and assist groups with
the design process rather than supplying technical expertise for the group in a particular area. Although
the course staff team have a wider knowledge of aircraft design than their specialisation may suggest, it
should not be assumed that they know the solution to this design challenge.
The programme embraces four phases, each lasting four or five working weeks, which provide useful
milestones to guide the groups progress. Introductory lectures to each phase will steer the way through
the course. The academic staff member supervising each group will change for each phase to permit
rotation of staff between groups. The rota for the exact times of these meetings and the allocated
supervisor will be published on Studynet.
The Group Project Manager is expected to organise and manage the group activity, with the guidance of
staff as and when necessary, and arrange and conduct the formal progress meetings and any subsequent
technical discussion. It is not acceptable for groups to claim to have held their formal progress meeting at
another time or place, although additional progress and technical meetings will almost certainly be
required. Minutes should be taken to record decisions and to establish new and ongoing actions. Agendas
and minutes should be issued to staff and all concerned each week in good time.
Aerospace Group Design Notes
Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 1 Issue 1

Course Assessment

A Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for each group at the end of phase 2.
Group submission of a collation of individual technical reports from each group member at the end
of Phase 4.
A Critical Design Review and presentation (CDR) for each group at the end of Phase 4.
Individual student marks from the design reviews will be strongly influenced by a moderated peer
assessment process which is based on the quality and quantity of student effort throughout the course.

Scope of the Project

Each student group should assume that they are working within the design team of an established
aircraft manufacturer, or manufacturing consortium, where initial market studies have indicated a need
to produce a detailed preliminary design for a new special missions platform aircraft.
It is understood at the outset that students will not be able to design or specify such an aircraft fully in
the timescale available. However, this project is required to cover a detailed requirement analysis,
configuration design, detailed operational analysis and a plan for development, certification and
production should the bid be accepted and the project go into full-scale development. The work
requirement is defined in the Phase Definitions, and under Design Groups.
Aspects of group work may be new to some students. It is emphasised that each student is expected to
work as a collaborative partner within their group, to face the technical issues together, be involved in
group discussions and share the decision-making. It is not enough for each student to do his/her own
work in isolation. Work must be completed to agreed timescales and help should be provided to other
group members as required. The Project Manager within each group is responsible for organisation,
motivation and management and hence plays a unique role in promoting harmony and efficiency.
The situation is typical of those seen in industry, where projects are managed to allow the interaction of
all disciplines in a highly iterative process. In some cases the design process is circular, with each design
decision being dependent on others. To break into this circle, it will sometimes be necessary to take
arbitrary decisions, in order that work can proceed without delay, even if ultimately the decisions prove
second-best. It is vital to keep a record of all decisions made and the reasoning for that choice. The
inevitable need for design changes and repeated analyses before the final configuration is achieved
means that, where appropriate, spreadsheet methods should be adopted to minimise the extra effort
required. At suitable times, it will however be necessary to freeze design decisions, so that time remains
to progress into other aspects of the work required. The course aims to expose students to this
important matter of time management.
This document sets out all of the organisational arrangements for the course, and defines the major
work expected of each participant. Project Managers should refer to the Module Leader any question of
uncertainty regarding the general arrangement or assessment for the course. All technical questions
should be referred to the applicable member of staff at the specified time.
It is important that these notes are consulted carefully at the outset and throughout the course.
The course staff and their specialist areas are:
Dr Andrew Lewis (APL)
Stability & Control / Structural Analysis / Certification / Aerodynamics
Module Leader
Dr Ken Hart (KJH)

Performance & Propulsion / Aerodynamics / Aircraft Systems

Dr Peter Thomas (PT)

Stability & Control / Aerodynamics / Performance / Simulation

Leo Kunzwa (LK)

Aircraft Systems / Manufacturing / Simulation / Aerodynamics.

Helen Singer

Information Consultant for the School of Engineering & Technology.

Page 2 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Background for the 2016-17 Project Topic

When the expensive process of designing, developing and certificating a new aircraft is launched, a
detailed consideration must be made regarding the numbers of that particular aircraft that are likely to
be sold. The amortisation of design, development and certification costs and the economies of scale
relating to production costs have a direct influence on the selling price of the aircraft and the profit or
loss associated with that aircraft programme.
This means that the likely sales for particularly specialised aircraft may be insufficient for the
programme to be economically viable. However the benefits associated with increased sales can still be
realised if the aircraft can be configured as a multi-purpose platform for a number of alternative
applications. This variety of applications would require the installation of state-of-the-art equipment to
meet specified purposes and the provision of multi-purpose interiors designed for quick reconfiguration
and deployment.

Project Requirements and 'Solutions'

It should be recognised that there are several solutions to this overall group design project assignment.
Some are more viable than others, but a number of options remain.
Some of the baseline requirements for this project are defined as essential, and these must be met.
However, it should be assumed that only initial requirement studies have been carried out. Hence, the
actual design devised by each group will depend, to a large extent, on information gleaned from a more
detailed study of aircraft with these types of capabilities currently in service and the benefits that can be
realised by the use of advanced technologies.
Hence each group needs to use its discretion, informed by proper research, to determine the full design
and operating specification for their aircraft. This MUST include any regulatory requirements.

Essential Role Capability Requirements.

1. Priority Transport for heads of state, high ranking civil and military personnel and VIPs
Minimum Requirements:
High levels of safety, reliability, comfort and encrypted communications equipment enabling
reliable, worldwide, secure data and voice connectivity.
Range of 7,000 nm.
Ability to operate from runways in many countries around the world.
Payload of 10 passengers and their baggage, plus appropriate flight crew.
2. Medical Evacuation
Dedicated medevac aircraft or VIP aircraft that can be rapidly converted for medevac use.
Minimum Requirements:
3 beds
Seats for 4 medical personnel.
Life support systems and other essential medical equipment and supplies.
Loading system for stretchers.
3. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
a)

Airborne Early Warning.

Minimum Requirements:
360-degree airborne surveillance capability
Advanced electronic surveillance systems and data links with extensive antenna farm.
6 multi-purpose operator consoles.
Range: Capability to operate at least 500 miles from base.
Maximum endurance - not less than 12 hours on station

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 3 Issue 1

b) Long Range Open-Ocean Patrol, Coastal Surveillance and Search and Rescue
Minimum Requirements:
Altitude: Capability to operate at any altitude from near sea level to beyond 50,000 feet.
Range: Capability to operate at least 500 miles from base.
Maximum endurance - not less than 12 hours on station
Ocean surveillance radar system for finding/identifying a target and specifying its location.
Capability for slow-speed, low-altitude flying to drop a variety of rescue and survival
equipment to those in peril on the sea.
Mission operator consoles and communications suite.

Optional Capability Extension

Optional Roles could include:i.

High Altitude Atmospheric Research

Would require additional external hard points, observation ports and equipment racks to
support a broad range of atmospheric and related science experiments.

ii.

Executive transport

iii.

High Density Seating Configuration

iv.

Emergency Cargo Delivery

v.

Maritime/Fisheries Patrol

Extended capabilities, such as operational range, may be offered beyond this baseline specification, but
the case for these must be made in terms of cost and operational/technical risk.
Affordability - Modern technology should be included, but only if shown to be effective in terms of
operational costs and initial purchase price, for which an initial production run must be declared.
Incorporation of technology from other civil and military aircraft programmes is encouraged to help
maintain costs and delivery timescales.
Certification: The aircraft must be designed primarily to comply with the appropriate standards for large
commercial aircraft as specified in EASA CS-25, which is available on Studynet. However, due to the
potential for possible conflict with hostile forces for some of the roles then aspects of the UK military
certification standards as specified in Def Stan 00-970 should also be considered. Def Stan 00-970 can
be downloaded as pdf files from StudyNet.
Students are strongly recommended to take a relatively conservative approach to the overall
configuration, since a more adventurous design is likely to be extremely difficult to model and
analyse. However, this is to be a new design and not a straight copy of an existing aircraft.

Phase Definitions
It is very important to keep to a schedule that ensures the whole operation is brought to a complete and
timely culmination. Hence, as guidance, the work that is expected to be completed in each phase is
defined below. Time will be quite limited and the Group Project Manager must organise group effort
efficiently. Occasionally it may be necessary for individuals to help the group progress by moving outside
their specific role. Nobody should stand idle waiting upon other members of the group. There must be
a balance between discussion and productive work to ensure progress.

Page 4 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Phase 1
Introductory work, research, proposing ideas.
Decide upon group member roles.
Examine configurations and operating performance of
other aircraft with similar roles.
Investigate physical sizes of equipment to be carried
Establish the broad philosophy for the design and
produce sketched drawings of design options.
Estimate the likely take-off weight off the aircraft.
Investigate typical wing loadings of similar aircraft.
Produce initial estimates for key aircraft parameters such
as size of wing and fuselage
Define and understand performance goals.
Investigate thrust requirements and powerplant options
Phase 2
Refine design layout and component geometry.
Consider equipment load configuration options.
Assess weight distribution, centre of gravity position and
its extremes with and without equipment loads.
Find pitching moment of inertia
Detailed wing-lift and drag calculations.
Initial drag calculations for fuselage, tailplane,
undercarriage, nacelles and any external equipment.
Define operational flight profile.
Estimate thrust requirements and fuel burn for all phases
of operation in order to deduce fuel load.
Investigate stability, size control surfaces and define
control methods for all flight phases.
Set-up Merlin simulator input data to support aircraft
performance and stability analyses.

Preliminary definition of major systems and

undercarriage placement.
Obtain information on 'bought-in' components.
Consider methods for analysis.
Produce sketches of proposed aircraft.
Create working specification spreadsheet to
record key details of the evolving design of the
aircraft and its components.
Consider manufacturing options and costs.
Investigate use of Merlin Flight simulator.
Basic familiarisation with civil and military
certification documents.

Prepare flight manoeuvre and gust envelopes.

Investigate loads/load-paths for all structural
components. Initial sizing of (spars, beams, ribs,
stringers, skin, etc.)
Initial configuration and sizing of all major
systems.
Specification of undercarriage tyre and braking
systems.
Investigate and evaluate process of production
options for all major components.
Investigate and evaluate material options for all
major components.
Produce a drawing of the proposed aircraft.
Ensure that the working specification
spreadsheet for the aircraft is up to date.
Prepare for Preliminary Design Review.

Phase 3
Freeze overall geometry & confirm aircraft specification
Detailed drag calculations for the whole aircraft.
Confirm powerplant type and size.
Detailed thrust requirements and fuel burn for all phases
of operation.
Produce aircraft performance data to include take-off
and landing distances, balanced field length, climb rates,
flight profile, range, fuel burn, altitude ceilings, loadrange charts and any altitude/ambient temperature
limitations.
Consider implications of OEI (one engine inoperative)
operation for all flight phases.
Stress analysis to support wing, fuselage, tailplane and
undercarriage design.
Calculate wing and fuselage shear force, bending
moment and torque distributions.
Detailed configuration and sizing of all major systems,
including failure analyses.
Assessment of tyre and brake performance for dry, wet
and emergency operation.
Design & operation of undercarriage retraction systems.

Design, specification and analysis of shock

absorber units.
Detailed specification of mission-specific
equipment and its integration with aircraft.
Confirm cockpit and cabin layouts.
Check compliance of design with regulatory
integrity, safety and performance requirements
including failure and crash cases.
Confirm aircraft performance and stability
analyses using Merlin Flight simulator.
Specify a programme of ground tests and flight
trials required to prove the integrity and
behaviour of the aircraft in areas including:
Performance
during all ground/flight
operations for range of ambient conditions
Identification of stall margins and flight
envelope boundaries
Structural and fatigue testing
Relate testing to certification requirements.
Detailed specification of aircraft component
materials and processes of production.

Phase 4
Complete layout drawings
Complete full aircraft design specification.
Confirm completion of all design and analysis work.
Confirm consistency amongst all group members
regarding all parameters declared in the final aircraft
specification and individual reports.

Prepare marketing brochure which includes

comparisons with existing aircraft.
Prepare individual reports.
Prepare group presentation for Critical Design
Review.

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 5 Issue 1

Flight Simulation
Subject to availability, the Merlin flight simulator must be used by all groups throughout during the
course for important validation and development of many of the parameters which form the basis of the
design. It will permit groups to further explore the main stability, performance and handling
characteristics of their designs, at all stages of the project, and to develop them appropriately. This
simulation activity promotes quicker convergence to a workable configuration, although the resulting
design must still be refined and supported by calculations.
All groups will be expected to develop a full parametric model of their design, properly proven, and
progress on this will be investigated during the Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews.

Design Groups
As stated previously, the design groups will nominally comprise ten students. The allocation to groups
will be at random, but with a nominally uniform spread of industrial experience, and a mix of cohorts.
Requests to be allocated with specific students, or to change groups after allocation, will be refused.
Each group will comprise students from the BEng and BSc programmes and it is important that the roles
adopted by each student within the group are consistent with the material they are taught during their
degree programmes. Listed below are the role titles and a strong recommendation regarding which
roles are taken on by which groups of students.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Project Manager (BSc or BEng)

Design Engineer (BSc or BEng)
Aerodynamics Specialist (BEng)
Performance and Propulsion Engineer (BEng or BSc)
Mission Definition and Equipment Specialist (BSc or BEng)
Aircraft Systems Designer (BSc or BEng)
Structural Analysis Specialist (BEng)
Undercarriage Designer (BEng or BSc)
Stability and Control Engineer (BEng)
Materials and Manufacturing Engineer (BSc)
Flight Simulation, Certification and Marketing Specialist (BSc or BEng)

With reference to the prime role responsibilities listed below.

(i) Where the group consists of 10 students:
The roles of the Materials and Manufacturing Engineer and Undercarriage Designer will be combined.
For this situation the undercarriage design work should be restricted to:
Specification of undercarriage requirements for all normal and emergency operations.
Selection and sizing of tyres and aircraft braking systems.
Production of geometric drawings to illustrate retraction
(ii) Where the group consists of 9 students:
In addition to (i) above, no Flight Simulation, Certification & Marketing Engineer is to be appointed. In
this case, the duties covered by this role should be limited to those required to show that key
certification requirements have been considered and to demonstrate that the performance and stability
of the aircraft is commensurate with calculations and is fit for purpose.
The work necessary should be re-allocated thus:

The Performance & Propulsion and Stability & Control Engineers should take responsibility for the
proving of the aircraft behaviour using the Merlin Flight Simulator
The Project Manager and Design Engineer should ensure that any key certification issues are
addressed and the Project Manager should prepare the marketing brochure for the aircraft.
This is not to suggest that any roles are more or less important than any other, but that some of the
specialist the work is more suited to being divided up amongst the other group members.
All student group roles must be agreed by the group and approved by the Module Leader before the
last day of Phase 1.
Page 6 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Role Responsibilities (this is NOT an exhaustive list - other tasks may arise during the project)
Project Manager.
Organisation and management of the Group
Leading an investigation into similar existing aircraft and establishing the procedural strategy.
Production and maintenance of a Project Time Plan to ensure that the group progress and decision
making are in line with the recommended expectations of the course.
Production and maintenance of an up-to-date working specification showing principal information
regarding all aircraft components and performance.
Convening and chairing meetings in an orderly and professional style, defining agenda, recording
decisions and issuing minutes. (The taking of minutes may be shared within the group.)
The project manager is not required to exercise an overall technical responsibility but is required to
ensure an agreed approach by the group on technical matters.
Co-ordinating the production of the Preliminary Design Review group report, collating the final
individual reports for the group and leading the Critical Design Review presentation.
Design Engineer.
Integration of all aircraft components.
Overall drawings of the aircraft. These will initially be in the form of working sketches and will develop
into CAD drawings and 3-D rendered views. A 3-view layout is essential for the Preliminary and
Critical Design Reviews and the final group reports.
Internal and external layout of mission equipment to take into consideration practicalities and
certification rules. (in conjunction with Mission Equipment Specialist)
Identification and design of aircraft mounted equipment required.
Internal layout of aircraft cabin and cockpit including controls, instrumentation and pilot ergonomics.
Design of fuselage (in conjunction with Aerodynamics Specialist)
External appearance of the aircraft.
Aerodynamics Specialist.
Detailed definition and design of wing aerodynamic geometry, including any high-lift devices and liftdump / spoiler / speed brake systems.
Detailed definition of aerodynamic geometry for tailplane horizontal and vertical components.
Calculation of lift and drag coefficients for all aircraft components, specifically wing, tailplane,
fuselage, nacelles, undercarriage and any externally mounted equipment.
Production of aircraft drag polar.
Performance and Propulsion Engineer.
Specification of powerplant system.
Detailed calculations to establish thrust requirements throughout the aircraft operating envelope.
This must include OEI considerations.
Calculation of take-off and landing distances for a range of aircraft weights, airfield altitudes and
ambient air temperatures. Specification of Balanced Field Length.
Detailed calculation of fuel required for all aircraft operations, including contingencies. Comparative
assessment of existing aircraft.
Specification of key aircraft performance characteristics such as climb rates, optimum and maximum
operating cruise altitude and speed, glide capability and load-range graphs.
Specification of any braking system provided by the engines.
Mission Definition and Equipment Specialist
Detailed research into the types, weights, sizes and power requirements for the equipment to be
carried internally and externally for the various aircraft roles.
Design of internal layout of aircraft cabin - in conjunction with Design Engineer.
Loading and storage of equipment on the aircraft and integration with other aircraft systems.
Specification of altitude and aircraft speed conditions required for execution of the various specific
roles.
Procedures and timescales to change the aircraft from one role configuration to another.

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 7 Issue 1

Aircraft Systems Designer.

Specification of the sizing, layout and operational functions of all aircraft systems, with appropriate
provisions for safety and reliability and full consideration of failure cases. These systems include:
o Fuel, hydraulics, environmental control, avionics, communications, electrical, anti-icing, fire
suppression and emergency.
Integration of specific mission systems equipment with basic aircraft systems (in conjunction with
Mission Equipment Specialist)
Structural Analysis Specialist.
Specification of engine mount and undercarriage load paths.
Drawing of the wing structural layout and interface with fuselage including allowance for
undercarriage storage if appropriate.
Sizing and positioning of the principal structural components of the wing.
Stress calculations to produce the principal shear force, bending moment and torque distributions for
the wings throughout the aircraft operating envelope.
Tailplane and fin structure, based on the aerodynamic design agreed with the Aerodynamics
Specialist and Stability & Control Engineer.
Fuselage structural design and integrity analyses. Cabin pressurisation loads. Shear force, bending
moment and torque distributions for ground and flight cases.
Loading bay door hinge and actuator mount loading for ground and flight cases.
Undercarriage Designer.
Specification of undercarriage requirements related to loading, taxying, steering, braking and landing
operations. Selection of tyres. Consideration of pavement ratings and runway compatibility.
Selection and sizing of aircraft braking systems.
Assessment of performance in dry and wet conditions and during emergency operation.
Production of geometric drawings to illustrate retraction, with consideration for the sequencing of
the undercarriages and doors.
Design, specification and analysis of shock absorber units. Actuators loads and required sizes.
Consideration of interaction of undercarriage with adjacent aircraft structure.
Stability and Control Engineer.
Definition of tail configuration, sizing of components and specification of control surface geometry.
Ensuring that the aircraft complies with the requirements for longitudinal and lateral stability in all
potential equipment load conditions.
Carrying out balance calculations to determine the positions of the aircraft centres of lift and gravity
under all loading conditions and calculation of the principal wing and tailplane loads.
Preparing gust and manoeuvre envelopes for the defined cases and determining maximum tailplane
(or equivalent) loads for balance in gust and manoeuvre cases at extreme C of G limits and for take-off.
Specification of aileron geometry, having regard to adequate rate of roll and consideration of crosswind take-off or landing.
Defining flight-augmentation systems, such as yaw/roll dampers, active controls, stall warning and
stick pushing, as appropriate.
Assessing trim change requirements as a result of flaps/slats deployment and equipment release.
Specifying flight-test requirements in relation to flight stability and control.
Materials & Manufacturing Engineer.
Establishing a breakdown of the aircraft weight, including the weights of all major components, for all
mission options.
Detailed specification of materials for the aircraft wings, fuselage, tailplane and nacelles.
Definition of principal manufacturing methods, techniques, costs and strategy, in collaboration with
other group members. Identification of jigs and fixture requirements and methods of assembly.
Flight Simulation, Certification and Marketing Specialist
Identification of certification requirements for all aspects of the aircraft design and operation.
Specification of ground-test and flight-test, development and certification programme and the
numbers of airframes required for this activity.
Co-ordination of all flight simulator activity.
Basic costing analysis for design, development, certification and production of the aircraft leading to
proposed unit cost.
Production of a 4-page (A4, any font, any layout) aircraft marketing brochure containing key design
and performance data. This is to be included as a discrete section within their 30-page final report.
Page 8 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Assessments
Marks will be accrued through two design reviews (at the ends of phases 2 and 4), and for an individual
student report. In the design reviews there will be a strong element of moderated peer assessment,
administered by the staff as described below. The emphasis in the Group Design Course will be on group
activity, and the assessments will reflect this throughout. Do not expect to get good peer assessment
marks unless you contribute and work as an effective group member throughout each phase it is not
sufficient just to present work at the end of the phase. Staff have the authority to moderate peer
assessments where necessary. The percentages below refer to the contributions to the Group Design
assessment, not to the complete module of which the Group Design forms a part.
The marks available are distributed as follows:
Preliminary Design Review (PDR): Group Mark with peer assessment
20%
Critical Design Review (CDR): Group Mark with peer assessment
30%
Individual contribution to Group Report
50%

Design Reviews and Peer Assessment

Design reviews will take place, as described below, at the end of phases 2 and 4. Each group will be
awarded a single percentage mark, which will then become the average mark for that group for that
assessment. The distribution of marks (for each group member) around that average will be determined
by moderated* peer assessment, on the following basis:
Attitude and contribution as an active group member
Up to 5
Initiative and understanding brought to bear on the work
Up to 5
Quantity and standard of the work undertaken
Up to 5
Where, in each of the above, marks are described as:
5 Excellent, beyond normal expectation
4 Very good, with some outstanding quality
3 Good performance, acceptable in all respects
2 Average, lacking in some respects
1 Little effort or low standard
0 Poor / little interest / lack of attendance
*In certain circumstances staff may moderate individual marks.
Grades will be published as soon as possible after each assessment.

Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

Takes place at end of phase 2 and comprises:
1. A written submission by each group showing progress and major decisions made to date.
This must be submitted as a pdf file <GroupXX.pdf> via Studynet by no later than 15:00 on Mon 5
December 2016.
The PDR group report shall be not more than 10 pages of A4, and shall include:
General Arrangement drawing of the aircraft.
Aircraft design and operational philosophy.
List of all parametric values obtained to date.
Up-to-date project programme.
Brief report on group progress and key decisions in all areas, supported by analysis or arguments.
Flight-simulation studies completed to date.
Any other pertinent remarks.
NO cover sheets shall be added to the report.
2. Group attendance at a 15-minute question-and-answer session with a staff PDR panel.
The review panel will want to see justification for any statements made regarding the design or
performance of your aircraft design. The outcome of this session will be an overall assessment of each
groups progress. Student peer assessment forms should be handed in at the PDR session and this data
will be combined with the overall group assessment to determine each group members phase 1-2 mark.
Aerospace Group Design Notes
Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 9 Issue 1

Critical Design Review (CDR)

This takes place at end of phase 4 and comprises:
A formal group presentation of their aircraft to staff, students and industry specialists (if available).
The group is permitted to determine and execute the most effective presentation of their work as
possible, with contributions from the project manager and some or all of the other members. Time
allocated is 30 minutes including at least 10 minutes for questions. All group members must be
available to answer questions. Since the review panel will also have had the opportunity to see the
individual student specialist reports, the group should expect to be questioned on the contents of the
report as well as the presentation.
For the CDR, the marks will be awarded in accordance with the following:
Presentation
Quality of presentation, including use of visual aids
30 marks
Achieving
a
marketable
design
Content
Achieving a technically viable design
Adequate demonstration of all aspects of flying qualities, and
70 marks
determine all relevant parameters in the Merlin simulator
Handling of questions
Delivery at an appropriate technical level **
**The presentation should be pitched at a technical level such that the background, objectives, operating
philosophy, approaches to design and analysis, methods and costs of production and proving of the
performance of the group aircraft can be understood by all of the audience of undergraduate and
professional engineers. However, having committed substantial effort to the project, students are also
expected to present some aspects of the work in more detail that would be of interest to engineers of a
similar specialist technical background.
An overall assessment will be made by the staff present and each group will be awarded a CDR mark.
Student peer assessment forms should be handed in at the CDR session and this data will be combined
with the overall group assessment to determine each group members phase 3-4 mark. The full peerassessment procedure is described on Studynet.
Group Compendium of Individual Student Reports
The Project Manager is responsible for the collation of one report from each group member into a
compendium of reports which must be submitted to D110 (fao Dr. Andrew Lewis) by no later than 15:00
on Mon 13 March 2017. After submission, the compendium of reports will be separated back into the
individual reports for assessment by a member of staff who has expertise in the area concerned.
The format and content of the individual report from each group member is strictly defined below.
a) The report must be a maximum of thirty (30) pages with all pages clearly numbered. No appendices
are permitted outside of the allocated page limit. The page count includes any title covers.
b) The report must be word processed using an appropriate size and type of font.
c) The report must include a table of contents, with reference to page numbers.
d) The report should describe the individual work undertaken and how it relates to the group aircraft.
Samples of calculation methods and results should be included where appropriate. Any drawings
should be legible and of engineering standard, not merely sketches or artists impressions.
e) The report submitted by the Group Marketing Specialist must contain a discrete 4-page marketing
brochure (within the 30-page limit) for the aircraft, to contain key design and performance data.
f) The sources of all non-original figures, drawings, tables etc. must be quoted, in accordance with an
accepted method of referencing.
g) The final two pages of all of the individual reports should comprise:
i. A 3-view general arrangement (GA) drawing (A3-sized, Z-folded) of the final design of the group
aircraft, with major dimensions clearly shown.
ii. An outline specification of the aircraft, including general performance data, weights and other
pertinent information, on a single A4 page.
h) Each group member must also submit an electronic version of their individual report via Studynet.
The file must be in Acrobat PDF (.pdf) format and must not exceed 2.5MB. The filename must be in
the format <SURNAME.SRN>.pdf, where <SURNAME.SRN> is the surname and Student Registration
Number of the student who has submitted the work.
Page 10 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Plagiarism
You are strongly recommended to take heed of the general advice given to students regarding
plagiarism, particularly in regard to your report. If detected, instances of alleged plagiarism will be
automatically referred to the School Academic Conduct Officer for investigation. Please bear this in mind
and take care to reference any non-original work correctly. Each year, a number of students are
penalised for plagiarism offences and there are steps that you can take to avoid this.
DO NOT copy other peoples work, either from reports from previous years, or from the internet or
other sources this WILL be detected.
To avoid inadvertently presenting somebody elses work as your own, NEVER paste or copy-type into
the document you intend to hand in. If you feel it necessary to keep information in this way, create a
reference document that is completely separate to the document for submission.
Also, take very careful note of the Universitys rules on referencing. You should not need to quote
directly more than a sentence or two, and this must be correctly referenced to ensure it is recognised.

Studynet
This module will make significant use of StudyNet for communication and the sharing of information. Of
special interest for this project is the Group Working facility, which allows student groups to share files,
news and calendar functions. The academic staff for this module will also have access to these group
areas. Copies of these notes and other relevant materials will be posted on StudyNet, together with
useful web links.

Reference Material
Books
Civil Jet Aircraft Design, L R Jenkinson, P Simken, D Rhodes
Synthesis of Subsonic Airplane Design, E Torenbeek
Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, Daniel P Raymer
The Design of the Aeroplane, D Stinton
The Anatomy of the Aeroplane, D Stinton
Flying Qualities and Flight Testing of the Aeroplane, D Stinton
Aircraft Flight, R H Barnard & D R Philpott
Aerodynamics, Aeronautics & Flight Mechanics, B W McCormick
Flight Stability and Automatic Control, Robert C Nelson
Aircraft Structures and Systems, R Wilkinson
Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems, Mike Tooley & David Wyatt
Airframe Structural Design, N C Niu
Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures, E F Bruhn
Landing Gear Design Handbook, N S Currey
The Jet Engine, Rolls Royce
Aircraft Powerplant, Kroes & Wild
Gas Turbine Performance, P.P. Walsh & P. Fletcher
Selection of Engineering Materials, F A Crane & J A Charles
Grumman Aerospace Gulfstream III, Study in Design, Mead, Coppi & Stakosch
Documents
Def Stan 00-970 Design and Airworthiness Requirements for Service Aircraft available through StudyNet.
Certification Specifications for Large Aeroplanes, CS-25, European Aviation Safety Agency, available
through StudyNet.
Engineering Data Sheets, ESDU International Ltd.
LRC: Helen Singer is the LRC Information Consultant for the School of Engineering & Technology and
may be approached for assistance in securing the reference material and other necessary searches.
There are various web links available from StudyNet, which will be updated as required.
Aerospace Group Design Notes
Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016

Page 11 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Teaching Plan

Week

W/C

Activity
Group Meetings.
Staff: APL + KJH + PT + LK

Sem A
9

26 Sept 2016

Semester A Induction Week

10

03 Oct 2016

Phase 1 introduction lecture

11

10 Oct 2016

Phase 1

12

17 Oct 2016

Phase 1

13

24 Oct 2016

Phase 1

14

31 Oct 2016

15

07 Nov 2016

16

14 Nov 2016

17

21 Nov 2016

Phase 2

18

28 Nov 2016

Phase 2

19

5 Dec 2016

Preliminary Design Reviews

Submit group PDR reports by 15:00 on Monday 5 December
15-minute question-and-answer session for each group with a staff PDR panel
during timetabled session (schedule to be announced)
- (hand in phase 1-2 peer assessment forms)

20

12 Dec 2016

Phase 3 Introduction + General PDR Feedback

21

19 Dec 2016

Christmas Holiday (starts on Thursday 22 December)

22

26 Dec 2016

Christmas Holiday

23

2 Jan 2017

NONE - Revision week

24

9 Jan 2017

NONE - General Sem A examination week (no Sem A exam for this module)

Phase 2 Introduction lecture

Phase 2
Phase 2

Major project week

Phase 3

Group Meetings.
Staff: APL + KJH + PT + LK

Sem B
25

16 Jan 2017

Major project week

26

23 Jan 2017

Phase 3

27

30 Jan 2017

Phase 3

28

06 Feb 2017

Phase 3

29

13 Feb 2017

Phase 3

30

20 Feb 2017

31

27 Feb 2017

Phase 4

32

06 Mar 2017

Phase 4

33

13 Mar 2017

Submit group compendium of individual reports by 15:00 on Monday 13 March

34

Provisionally
Wednesday
22 Mar 2017

Critical Design Reviews Appointed timeslots from 09:00 19:00

(hand in phase 3-4 peer assessment forms)

Phase 4 Introduction lecture

Phase 4

Additional lectures may be added if required.

Page 12 Issue 1

Aerospace Group Design Notes

Dr. Ken Hart - School of Engineering and Technology
University of Hertfordshire 2016