Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
The Flight Mechanics and Avionics course examines the interaction between vehicles and the atmosphere. Problems in this area include producing more efficient designs, improving the control systems for aircraft, and reducing aircraft instability. The course covers aircraft performance during take-off, climb, level flight and landing. Aircraft stability and static equilibrium are considered, including the effects of components, aircraft control surfaces and devices, and trimmed equilibrium condition and its effect on performance. This course will also address how guidance and navigation instruments and systems are used in aircraft.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that you are familiar with fluid mechanics and university-level algebra, and can execute engineering analysis using computational software (e.g. MATLAB or Python).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(MATH2000 or MATH2001) and MECH2410
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Tristan Vanyai
Professor Kris Ryan
Dr Michael Creagh
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are for students to gain an understanding of the most important aspects of:
- Flight mechanics. This includes aircraft performance, stability and control. It involves applying Newton's laws of motion to the flight of aircraft.
- Aircraft avionics, with a specific focus on aircraft navigation. This includes the conventions relating to how aircraft position is defined, and the instrumentation and analysis used to accurately calculate the trajectory of aircraft during flight.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply the principles of flight mechanics - Evaluate the forces and moments on airofoils and aircraft wings.
LO2.
Apply the principles of flight mechanics - Assess the static margin and neutral point for a fixed-wing aircraft and whether an aircraft configuration has static stability and balance.
LO3.
Apply the principles of flight mechanics - Select the surface area and incidence angle of the horizontal stabiliser required for trimmed flight conditions for a fixed-wing aircraft.
LO4.
Apply the principles of flight mechanics - Evaluate, for a given fixed-wing aircraft, parameters such as maximum speed, maximum altitude, range, endurance, take-off and landing distances and propulsion requirements.
LO5.
Apply the principles of flight mechanics - Choose the key parameters of a new aircraft design to meet defined performance requirements.
LO6.
Evaluate aircraft via flight tests - Explain the procedure for establishing, through experimental flight testing and corresponding analysis, an aircraft's longitudinal static and dynamic stability.
LO7.
Evaluate aircraft via flight tests - Assess an aircraft's longitudinal static and dynamic stability based on flight test data.
LO8.
Understand and apply aircraft navigation and guidance - Describe the various navigational instruments and other avionics systems used on aircraft, including their operating principles and accuracy requirements.
LO9.
Understand and apply aircraft navigation and guidance - Explain how aircraft position, attitude and kinematics are normally defined and transformed between reference frames.
LO10.
Understand and apply aircraft navigation and guidance - Apply avionics concepts to simulate the trajectory of an aircraft given initial position and inertial sensor data and evaluate the quality of this simulation data for different sensor technologies.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Flight mechanics Assignment #1 | 15% |
29/08/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Flight mechanics Assignment #2 | 10% |
26/09/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Avionics Assignment | 15% |
24/10/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Flight mechanics Assignment #1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
29/08/2025 1:00 pm
Task description
In-depth application of flight mechanics principles to a detailed aircraft performance design problem.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please refer to Blackboard for detailed marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Flight mechanics Assignment #2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
26/09/2025 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will apply flight mechanics principles to aircraft flight test data to make a detailed assessment on aircraft performance and stability.
Attendance of the voluntary flight test is not a requirement to complete this assessment item.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please refer to Blackboard for detailed marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Avionics Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
24/10/2025 1:00 pm
Task description
Assignment involves using simulated data from realistic aircraft navigational sensors to compute and analyse aircraft trajectories.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please refer to Blackboard for detailed marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
Task description
The final exam will test, through both qualitative and quantitative questions, your understanding of the material covered in the course.
A formula sheet will be provided.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Identity verified assessment (IVA) will be through obtaining at least ﾠ40% of the available marks in the final exam. You need to pass the IVA hurdle to pass the course regardless of your final mark. Students who achieve a total mark of 50 or greater but do not pass the IVA hurdle will receive a grade of 3.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.00 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying basic requirements for a Pass. Overall grade: 45.00 - 49.99% or less than 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course. Overall grade 50.00 - 64.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight. Overall grade 65.00 - 74.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas. Overall grade 75.00 - 84.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting or surprising or exciting or challenging or erudite. Overall grade 85.00 - 100% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
Additional course grading information
Grading Criteria
Specific grading criteria will be provided for each assessment item. These are available on Blackboard in the assessment folder.
ﾠIdentity verified assessment
Identity verified assessment (IVA) will be through obtaining at least 40% of the available marks in the final exam.
You need to pass the IVA hurdle to pass the course regardless of your final mark. Students who achieve a total mark of 50 or greater but do not pass the IVA hurdle will receive a grade of 3.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assessment items submitted using the Turnitin link on the course Blackboard site will check your work for evidence of plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Further details on assessment description and the relevant criteria will be available on the course Blackboard site.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Practical |
Voluntary Flight Laboratory Nova Systems will conduct a voluntary Flight Laboratory, in which students will be able to measure and experience aspects of aircraft performance and stability during flight in a light aircraft. Date(s) of flight laboratory to be confirmed. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Weekly lectures Refer to the course Blackboard site for the lecture schedule. Lectures will cover various Flight Mechanics and Avionics concepts such as: Airfoils/Wings, Stability & Control, Aircraft Performance, Defining Aircraft Position, Aspects of Navigation etc. |
Workshop |
Weekly problem-based workshops Problem-based workshops will be run where hands-on calculations and/or computer analysis will be performed. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.