An Introduction to Aircraft Flying Qualities

All aircraft need good flying qualities to enable safe flight.   Flying qualities – the response of an aircraft to the pilots control inputs - are influenced by key design characteristics of the aircraft including the wings, fuselage, empennage, mass and balance, control systems, propulsion systems, or high lift devices and landing gear where fitted.  

This course describes how the design (and construction) of a fixed wing light aircraft may positively or negatively impact flying qualities.  

The course begins with a description of the underlying theory of stability & control, design guidelines and relevant certification standards for a light aircraft.   Examples and accident case studies are used to support the theory.   Test methods used to assess flying qualities are described and practical ‘hands on ‘ exercises are performed using a fully immersive Virtual Reality + Motion simulator to experience the effects of design changes on flying qualities.  

This ‘hands-on’ course is conducted over two full days with day one covering longitudinal stability and stalls with day two covering lateral/directional stability and spins.  

The course finishes with a summary of the theory and exercises conducted plus recommended references for further study.

Course tutor is Dr Mike Bromfield. Mike is an Aerospace Systems & Human Factors Engineer with Myriad Business Ltd. He is also an Associate Professor (Honorary) in Aerospace and Flight Safety Researcher at the University of Birmingham and a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Ergonomics/Human Factors Specialist. He is a private pilot and a trained flight test engineer.