BTEC HN

Assignment Brief Level-5 RQF

Higher National Diploma in
Aeronautical Engineering

Qualification Title BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (RQF)
Qualification Number 603/0484/4 Centre Code 93094
Batch Code FEHNDA – 11 Academic Year 2024– 2025
Unit No. & Unit Title U-61, Advanced Turbine Rotary Wing Aircraft Mechanical and Flight Systems
Unit Code H/615/1538 Unit Level 05 Credit Value 15
Assignment No. 04 Total assignments for the unit 04
Assignment Title The nature of different rotary winged aircraft design variations and features
Outcome(s) Covered 04 Total Outcomes 04
Outcome Title LO4 Investigate the nature of different rotary winged aircraft design variations and features
Issue Date Formative Feedback Submission Date
Assignment Author Rifat Jahan Mim Signature
Internal Verifier M. Moslem Uddin Signature

Principal Objective(s):
Development of the main rotor blade and tail rotor design, the British Experimental Rotor Project (BERP)
Twin counter rotating main rotors
Rotary wing aircraft tail planes and other external aerodynamic design features
Tilt rotor aircraft and Autogyro helicopters

Assessment & Grading Criteria:

This assignment criterion for a pass grade comply with the level of achievement required to pass. The
learner has to demonstrate better skills for higher grades.
In order to achieve : The evidence(s) must show that the learner ha:
PASS Grade met all the PASS criteria P8, P9, P10
MERIT Grade met all the PASS criteria and all the MERIT criteria M4
DISTINCTION met all the PASS criteria, all the MERIT criteria and D4
Grade ALL of the DISTINCTION criteria

Learner’s Name: Registration No.

Learner’s Declaration
I declare that the submitted assignment is ENTIRELY MY OWN WORK. I fully understand the consequences of any and I am
aware of the plagiarism policy of the centre that any malpractice like plagiarism will bring the following consequences
First time: The assignment is referred and higher grades are removed.
Second time: The unit progress will be canceled and it has to be retaken with next batch.
Third time: Studentship will be canceled
Learner’s Signature: Date:
Assessor’s Name:
Assessor Declaration:
I declare that the submitted assignment is not plagiarized or copied. This is checked and verified by me.
Assessor’s Signature: Date:

HND – 11, Unit-61, Advanced Turbine Rotary Wing Aircraft Mechanical and Flight Systems Assignment: LO4, RQF, Page-1
Description of unit
Introduction
Since the conception of the idea of flight, rotary wing heavier-than-air flying machines have been considered. For example,
Leonardo da Vinci created the ‘Helical Air Screw’ at the turn of the 16th century. It is believed that although the airscrew was built,
it never flew due its very poor lift-to-weight ratio. At the turn of the 20th century, the early pioneers of flight built and attempted
to fly a number of rotary wing aircraft. Some failed in spectacular style; however, some actually achieved limited flight. The
development of the rotary wing aircraft we see today started in the 1940s and then rapidly advanced in the 1950s and 60s. These
early aeronautical engineers had to overcome many significant differences between principles of flight for fixed wing and rotary
wing aircraft. The nature of the rotary winged aircraft creates many diverse fluid flows, physical gyroscopic effects and
dissymmetry of lift and torque reactions, to name a few of the aerodynamic differences.
This unit introduces students to the atmosphere in which rotary wing aircraft operate in, the scientific principles that underpin
flight theory, how the aerodynamic forces are generated throughout all phases and transitions of rotary wing flight. It also includes
the specific design features that are essential to maintain stability and directional control.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to examine the properties of the atmosphere relating to rotary wing
flight and aerodynamic principles and apply them to aircraft flight, examine the generation, nature and effects of aerodynamic
forces during flight, and examine the key design features that control and maintain
airflows around a rotary wing aircraft. The student will also be able to investigate the nature and methods used to stabilise and
control rotary aircraft.

LO4 Investigate the nature of different rotary winged aircraft design variations and features
Outcome Content :
Design features:
Development of the main rotor blade and tail rotor design including the British Experimental Rotor Project (BERP)
Examine the use and benefits of twin counter rotating main rotors
Rotary wing aircraft tail planes and other external aerodynamic design features
Other types of rotary wing aircraft: Tilt rotor aircraft and Autogyro helicopters

Recommended Resources:
ANDERSON Jr, J. D. (2016) Introduction to Flight. 8th International Student Ed. McGraw-Hill.
Textbooks BARNARD, R. H. and PHILPOTT, D. R. (2010) Aircraft Flight. 4th Ed. Pearson
DINGLE, L. and TOOLEY, M. (2013) Aircraft Engineering Principles. 2nd Ed. Routledge
SEDDON, J. (2011) Basic Helicopter Principles. 3rd Ed. Wiley
WAGTENDONK, W. J. (2007) Principles of Helicopter Flight. 2nd Ed. Aviation Supplies & Academics.

(Journals) The Aeronautical Journal. Cambridge University Press. Covering all aspects of
aerospace engineering and research.
Aerospace (the magazine of the Royal Aeronautical Society). With articles on all
areas of aerospace including innovation and design for flight.
Websites http://www.av8n.com/ AV8N, See How it Flies, (E-Book)
Links This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 24: Aircraft Aerodynamics
Unit 28: Turbine Rotary Wing Mechanical and Flight Systems

Scheme of outcome
Week Launch date Topics within this outcome Hand in date

1 Design features:
Development of the main rotor blade and tail rotor design including the British Experimental Rotor Project (BERP)
02 Examine the use and benefits of twin counter rotating main rotors
03 Rotary wing aircraft tail planes and other external aerodynamic design features

HND – 11, Unit-61, Advanced Turbine Rotary Wing Aircraft Mechanical and Flight Systems Assignment: LO4, RQF, Page-2
04 Other types rotary wing aircraft: Tilt rotor aircraft and auto-gyro helicopters.
05 Assignment support and last chance for assignment submission.

SCENARIO
You have applied for the job of Planning Officer at Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BD) Ltd. whose responsibilities is also to plan and
schedule rotary wing aircraft for flight. Engineering management wants to verify your knowledge about aerodynamic design
features and development of main rotor, tail rotor and BERP rotor blade and different types of helicopter including auto-gyro, tilt
rotor, twin rotor etc. You are asked to make a report on the following tasks and submit the same to project manager by date
specified on the tasks.

Submission Format
 Complete all the tasks and report in simple English.
 Answers should be in own words.
 While using any diagram, label appropriately
 Give reference of the sources of information at the bottom of the page. Quoting from anywhere without proper referencing will
be counted as plagiarism
 Add table of contents as applicable

Statement Name Signature

THIS IS MY OWN WORK

Tasks:
Discuss the design evolution and key advancements in main rotor blade, and tail rotor blade and BERP development for
rotary wing aircraft. Evaluate the role and optimization of the tail plane in providing directional stability and control for
rotary wing aircraft. Compare the unique flight characteristics and operational envelopes of tilt-rotor and autogyro aircraft.
Critically analyze the aerodynamic principles and performance implications of the BERP main rotor blade design. Explore
the aerodynamic challenges and innovative control solutions employed in counter-rotating twin-rotor helicopter
configurations.

LO4 Investigate the nature of different rotary winged aircraft design variations and features
Pass Merit Distinction
P8 Explore the development of the main M4 Explore counter rotating D4 Analyse the aerodynamic properties of
rotor blade and tail rotor design, including twin rotor helicopter BERP main rotor blade and evaluate the
the British Experimental Rotor Project aerodynamic control and advantages and disadvantages of the design
(BERP) stabilisation
P9 Show how the aerodynamic use of
rotary wing aircraft tail planes and other
external aerodynamic design features
P10 Discuss the flight characteristics of ‘tilt
rotor’ and Autogyro rotary aircraft

HND – 11, Unit-61, Advanced Turbine Rotary Wing Aircraft Mechanical and Flight Systems Assignment: LO4, RQF, Page-3