Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies MEng

Program Overview

The Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies MEng is a four-year integrated master's degree that combines aerospace engineering principles with pilot studies modules. Students gain a deep understanding of aircraft design, performance, and stability, while also developing the knowledge and skills necessary to become pilots. The program includes access to flight simulators, a two-day flight test course, and opportunities for hands-on project work, preparing graduates for careers in the aerospace industry or as professional pilots.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies MEng is a four-year integrated master's degree designed for students interested in becoming private or professional pilots. It offers a comprehensive education in aerospace engineering, including core subjects like aerodynamics, aerostructures, flight dynamics and control, propulsion systems, avionics, aerospace materials, and aircraft design.

• To equip students with the skills necessary to design, build, test, and fly aircraft.
• To develop students' knowledge, skills, and experience in pilot studies, including flight training and simulation.
• To prepare students for careers in the aerospace industry, including roles as pilots, engineers, and researchers.

Description:

The MEng program offers a greater depth and breadth of specialist knowledge in core aerospace subjects through a range of advanced modules. Students will have access to the pilots' lab and can join the Flight Simulation Group (FSG). The program also includes a year abroad option, allowing students to spend an academic year at one of the University's partner universities.

Outline:

Year One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• PILOT STUDIES 1 (AERO131): Introduces students to the practical and intellectual skills required to become a pilot, covering PPL ground school material and 20 hours of practical flight training.
• SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES 1 (ENGG110): Introduces fundamental concepts and theory of how engineering structures work to sustain loads.
• Professional Engineering: a skills toolkit (ENGG111): Provides students with an early understanding of preliminary design processes, introduces formal engineering drawing and visualization, and exposes students to group work and team dynamics.
• Energy Science (ENGG116): Develops an understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and problem-solving skills.
• Digital Engineering (ENGG125): Introduces students to simple computer programs, MATLAB programming, and basic electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical systems.
• Engineering Mathematics (ENGG198): Provides a basic level of mathematics, including calculus, complex variables, and functions of two variables.
• Introduction to Engineering Materials (MATS105): Introduces students to various classes of engineering materials, their mechanical properties, deformation, and failure.

Year Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE (AERO212): Covers the fundamentals of fixed-wing aircraft performance and stability.
• Aeroengines (AERO213): Covers gas turbine engines used in aircraft and other applications, including design, thermodynamics, and performance.
• AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DESIGN 2 (AERO220): Explains the multi-disciplinary process of aircraft design, including configuration selection, conceptual design, and preliminary design.
• PILOT STUDIES 2 (AERO231): Expands on Pilot Studies 1, covering commercial aviation operations and requirements, and engaging with ATPL ground school material.
• PILOT STUDIES 3 (AERO232): Provides an appreciation of the principles and systems required to operate commercial aircraft, including classroom exercises, flight simulator use, and interaction with commercial pilots.
• Avionics and Communications Systems (AERO250): Introduces aerospace communications and avionic systems.
• SOLIDS & STRUCTURES 2 (ENGG209): Introduces techniques for load and displacement analysis of simple structures.

Year Three:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Aerodynamics (AERO306): Covers aerodynamic theories, including boundary layer theory, potential flow theory, thin airfoil theory, and lifting line theory.
• AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DESIGN 3 (AERO321): Builds upon Year 2 Design, focusing on advanced conceptual design and simulation modeling.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (ENGG319): Provides skills to use computational fluid dynamics tools with an understanding of the underlying theory and technology.
• INDIVIDUAL PROJECT (ENGG341): Allows students to conduct independent research or develop innovative concepts in their preferred technical area of interest.
• Optional Modules:
• ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT (AERO314): Introduces common types of rotorcraft configurations and covers helicopter performance and flight dynamics.
• SPACEFLIGHT (AERO319): Provides an introduction to space flight concepts, including propulsion, launch vehicles, and orbital mechanics.
• Avionic Systems Design (AERO350): Provides the opportunity for students to design and evaluate practical solutions for avionic systems.
• RF Engineering and Applied Electromagnetics (ELEC311): Introduces fundamental concepts of high-frequency electromagnetics and circuit design techniques.
• INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENTS (ENGG302): Introduces the Finite Element method and its application in engineering problems.
• UNCERTAINTY, RELIABILITY AND RISK 1 (ENGG304): Covers uncertainty quantification methods, reliability analysis, and risk assessment in engineering applications.

Year Four:

• Compulsory Modules:
• FLIGHT HANDLING QUALITIES (AERO401): Covers the fundamentals of flight handling qualities for fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
• Advanced Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics (AERO406): Reinforces and deepens students' understanding of fluid kinematics, equations of fluid motion, and advanced concepts in potential flow theory.
• AEROELASTICITY (AERO415): Covers theories of structural vibration, steady and unsteady aerodynamics, and static and dynamic aeroelasticity.
• AEROSPACE CAPSTONE GROUP DESIGN PROJECT (AERO420): Allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through a comprehensive aircraft design project, including conceptual design, detailed design, and flight testing.
• ENTERPRISE STUDIES (MNGT414): Teaches concepts of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, company infrastructure, and investment proposals.
• Optional Modules:
• Space Mission Design (AERO419): Covers advanced numerical concepts and techniques for space mission design, navigation, and operations.
• DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT, MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLY (MNFG413): Introduces tools and methods of eco-design, design for manufacture, and assembly.
• ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (MNFG610): Provides an overview of additive manufacturing in new product development, covering principles, processes, and recent developments.
• RISK AND UNCERTAINTY: PROBABILITY THEORY (ENGG404): Develops understanding of basic probability theory and its application in quantifying uncertainties in engineering problems.
• MUSCULOSKELETAL BIOMECHANICS (ENGG410): Covers the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and techniques for measuring and analyzing body movements.
• Structural Optimisation (ENGG414): Covers classical and modern optimization techniques and their application in structural optimization.
• ADVANCED 4TH YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT (ENGG443): Focuses on a specific project related to a student's third-year project, with a journal-style paper written.
• Advanced Guidance Systems (AERO430): Covers advanced guidance laws in autonomous air systems, including interactions of airframe dynamics, sensors, and control surfaces.
• ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (MECH433): Discusses energy generation and usage, and their relationship to the environment.
• Nuclear Technologies (MECH434): Provides an understanding of nuclear engineering, covering reactor dynamics, design, operation, lifetime behavior, and nuclear waste.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module, but typically include:

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Project work
• Presentations (individual and/or group)
• Specific tests or tasks

Teaching:

• The University of Liverpool is a member of the CDIO initiative, which emphasizes a holistic, systems approach to engineering.
• Teaching methods include:
• Face-to-face teaching in group lectures
• Laboratory sessions
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• The program includes a substantial practical component, with an increasing emphasis on project work as students progress.

Careers:

Graduates of the Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies MEng program are equipped with the skills to work in the development and maintenance of aircraft, satellites, and space vehicles. Typical career paths include:

• Airline operators
• Armed forces
• Government research agencies (e.g., Ministry of Defence)
Recent employers of graduates include:
• Engineering and Infrastructure: ABB Ltd, Bentley, Metronet Rail, Rolls Royce
• Utilities: United Utilities
• Defence and Military: BAE Systems, British Army, RAF (Royal Air Force), Royal Navy
• Aviation: British Airways
• Government organisations: National Nuclear Laboratory

Other:

• The School of Engineering has world-class, modern teaching and learning facilities, including traditional lecture theatres, teaching laboratories, PC teaching centers, study rooms, and specialist engineering research laboratories.
• The program includes a two-day flight test course in the national flying laboratory aircraft.
• Students have access to and use of the pilots' lab and can join the Flight Simulation Group (FSG).
• The program is accredited, or preparing for accreditation, by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £9,250 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385 International fees Full-time place, per year £27,200 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £13,600