Helicopters and non conventional Aircraft

The subject of Helicopters and Diverse Aircraft is part of the fourth year of the Aerospace Engineering degree at the University of León. It is a compulsory course within the “Aircraft” specialization and is worth 6 ECTS credits. The course provides students with a comprehensive overview of rotary-wing aircraft and other less conventional aerial platforms, such as airships and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

General Objectives

This course aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles of flight, design, and operation of helicopters and other non-fixed-wing aircraft. It focuses on the specific aerodynamic, mechanical, and operational characteristics of these platforms, which differ significantly from those of conventional airplanes.

By the end of the course, students are expected to:

  • Understand the aerodynamic behavior of helicopter rotors in various flight regimes.
  • Analyze the performance, stability, and control of rotary-wing aircraft.
  • Gain insight into the design and operation of airships and UAVs.
  • Apply theoretical and practical tools to evaluate the behavior of these aircraft under different conditions.

Course Content and Structure

The course is structured into five thematic blocks:

  1. Introduction and General Description
    Overview of helicopter types, historical development, advantages and limitations, and future trends.

  2. Rotor Aerodynamics
    Analysis of vertical and forward flight using actuator disk theory and blade element theory. Study of rotor dynamics, including flapping, lead-lag, and pitch motion.

  3. Helicopter Design and Performance
    Evaluation of helicopter performance, equilibrium in flight, stability and control, and vibration analysis.

  4. Airships
    Study of buoyancy principles, aerodynamic behavior, design phases, and stability of lighter-than-air vehicles.

  5. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
    Introduction to UAV systems, modeling of flight dynamics, and discussion of their applications and design considerations.

Teaching Methodology

The course combines several teaching strategies:

  • Lectures for theoretical content and conceptual development.

  • Problem-solving sessions to apply analytical methods to real-world scenarios.

  • Laboratory practices, including:

    • Control and modeling of a simplified helicopter model.
    • Structural analysis of rotor blades.
    • CFD-based aerodynamic simulations of airships.

  • Group and individual tutorials to support student learning and clarify complex topics.

The course emphasizes active learning and the development of both technical and transversal skills, such as critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication.

Assessment

Student performance is assessed through:

  • A final written exam (75% of the final grade), including theoretical questions and practical problems.
  • Evaluation of laboratory reports and project work (25%), with emphasis on scientific rigor and clarity of presentation.

Students who do not pass the course in the first exam session may retake the final exam in the second session. Practical work may be resubmitted if necessary.

Relationship with Other Courses

This course builds upon knowledge acquired in previous subjects such as:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Flight Systems
  • Aircraft Design

It also prepares students for advanced topics in the Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, including:

  • Aircraft and Satellite Development
  • Structural and Aeroelastic Analysis
  • Flight Simulation

Available Resources

Students have access to specialized facilities and equipment, including:

  • A helicopter dynamics test bench.
  • Computer labs with simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, CFD tools).
  • Access to wind tunnels and structural testing equipment.