Getting hands-on with specialist lab equipment such as the wind tunnel.
Aeronautical Engineering
First year students get their first experiences with the wind tunnel
It’s been an exciting and busy semester for Aeronautical Engineering students in the Department of Engineering. First year students have been getting to grips with laboratory equipment and the wind tunnel, along with getting their first taste of design software that is in such demand in industry. They are also looking forward to their Aeronautical Applications lectures and the use of the flight simulator.
Final year students have been starting to develop their final proposals for the Engineering Project module, there’s some exciting projects around pilot fatigue and error, a helicopter autorotation monitoring system and development of a Spitfire simulator in the local museum. Foundation students have been learning about engineering principles and getting practical experience with the labs, as well as having specialist lectures on air crash investigation, human factors and aircraft pressurisation so that they can start to build on this once they’re in the second year.
Return from placement year and Airbus visits
Stephanie has returned to her final year of study following her year in industry placement at a company that designs and builds airline standard flight simulators. Stephanie said: “the placement was a wonderful opportunity that will improve my employability when I graduate”.
The final year students recently went on a visit to see the Airbus manufacturing facility where wings for the A320 and A350 are manufactured.
Looking ahead: the rest of the academic year
Second year students are going on a visit to Cranfield University where they will look around their 737 and they will all go for a flight in the Cranfield jet aircraft, where they will collect data on aircraft performance as well as experiencing 2g and zero g flight. Watch Nokwanda's experience on the trip last year on TikTok.
Final year students are further preparing their Final Year Projects which they will showcase to industry at GradEx. This is a valuable opportunity to network with potential employers. Guest judges will be attending from local industry.
Final year students are also going on a visit to a commercial 737 simulator with their lecturer who has an instructor rating on it, where they will be able to observe their lecturer flying it with a series of challenges such as engine shutdown and restart, depressurisation and cargo hold fire. This is so they can monitor the lecturer’s biometrics under the range of stressful situations and apply this to their projects on pilot fatigue and error.