Annexure ‘CD – 01’

COURSE CURRICULUM

Course Title: AIRCRAFT STABILITY & CONTROL Credit Units: 4 L T P/S SW/ No. of TOTAL
FW PSDA CREDIT
Course Level: UG Course Code: AERO 312 UNITS
3 1 - - - 4
Course Objectives: The objective of this course is to make the students understand various aspects of longitudinal, lateral and directional stability of
an aircraft. This course also aims to provide knowledge of contribution of major parts and effect of center of gravity movement to stability of the
aircraft.

Pre-requisites: Aerodynamics- I

Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weightage (%)
Module I : Stick Fixed Static Longitudinal Stability 15%
Descriptors/Topics : Introduction to stability of airplane, stick fixed longitudinal stability, Contribution of major
parts of aircraft to longitudinal static stability, Effect of power, Neutral point, Centre of gravity limits. In flight
measurement of stick fixed neutral point, Related numerical
Module II : Hinge Moment and Control Surfaces 8%
Descriptors/Topics : Elevator hinge moment, Variation of hinge moment with angle of attack and control surface
deflection, Floating and restoring tendencies, Aerodynamic balancing and its types, Different types of tabs used on
airplanes, Spoiler controls
Module III : Stick Free Static Longitudinal Stability 20%
Descriptors/Topics : Concept of stick free stability, Effect of free elevator on airplane stability, Elevator Control
force, stick force gradients, Neutral point, Controls free center of gravity limit. In-flight measurement of stick free
neutral point, Related numerical
 Module IV : Maneuvering Flight 10%
Descriptors/Topics : Concept of maneuvering flight, Effect of acceleration on airplane stability, Elevator angle
per g, Stick fixed maneuvering point, stick force per g, Stick free maneuvering point, Maneuver margins.

Module V : Directional Stability and Control 20%

Descriptors/Topics : Introduction to directional static stability, Asymmetric flight, Concept of side slip and yaw
angles, contribution of different parts of airplane to directional static stability, Rudder Fixed and Rudder free static
directional stability, Rudder lock, Related numerical

Module VI : Lateral Stability and Control 20%

Descriptors/Topics : Introduction to lateral static stability, Dihedral Effect, Contribution of different parts of
airplane controls in roll, Aileron control power, Cross coupling of lateral and directional motion.

Module VII : Dynamic Stability 7%

Descriptors/Topics :
(a) Longitudinal dynamic stability: Introduction to short period and phugoid modes
(b) Lateral and directional dynamic Stability: Introduction to pure roll, spiral mode: (i) Directional divergence (ii)
Spiral divergence and Dutch roll

Student Learning Outcomes:

 Define and calculate longitudinal static stability and neutral point of airplane.
 Describe hinge moment and aerodynamic balancing of control surfaces.
 Describe and calculate stick free longitudinal static stability in steady level flight.
 Calculate requirement of elevator angle and stick force in accelerated flight.
 Explain and calculate directional stability of the aircraft.
 Explain and calculate lateral stability of the aircraft.
 Define various modes of longitudinal and lateral-directional motions.

Pedagogy for Course Delivery: Session Plan / course-material uploading, Class-room teaching associated with assignments, presentations, value
addition lectures by experts, quiz, viva-voce and evaluation.
Lab/ Practicals details, if applicable:

List of Experiments:

Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Theory L/T (%) Lab/Practical/Studio (%) Total

100 NA 100

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment - 30 End Term

Examination
Components (Drop A CT S/V/Q HA 70
down)
Weightage (%) 5 10 8 7 70

Lab/ Practical/ Studio Assessment:

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term

Examination
Components (Drop
down
Weightage (%)

Text & References:

  Perkins and Hage, “Airplane Performance Stability and Control”.
 Etkin, “Dynamics of flight”
 Dickinson, “Aircraft Stability and control for Pilots and Engineers”.
 Babister, “Aircraft Stability and Control”.
 Dommasch Serby and Connoly, “Airplane Aerodynamics”.

Any other Study Material:

