CQUniversity Unit Profile
AVAT11005 Flight Fundamentals
Flight Fundamentals
All details in this unit profile for AVAT11005 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 20-07-22

The invigilated exam in this unit is replaced with an online test. There are no changes to the assessment weightings, minimum marks or learning outcomes. The online test will be held during the university exam period.

General Information

Overview

Aircraft require an array of mechanical, structural and electrical components to ensure safe, comfortable and efficient transport of passengers and goods across the world. In this unit, will you will learn the fundamental physics concepts that govern aircraft design and performance. You will study the laws of motion and the concepts of momentum and energy conversion to develop your knowledge of the various power sources used by aircraft and how these power sources propel aircraft forward. You will learn about fluid dynamics and gravitational forces to help understand the lift and aerodynamics of aircraft. You will learn about electrical circuits and wave propagation, which are the basic concepts behind numerous aircraft systems from autopilot to navigation systems to communication systems to inflight entertainment systems. Finally, you will combine your knowledge of these concepts to perform calculations relevant to flight planning, performance, and loading of aircraft.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2022

Cairns
Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Have your say comments

Feedback

This unit needs an overhaul in terms of relevance to the aviation industry practices.

Recommendation

Update the unit content to present relevant physics content in the context of how they apply to the operation of an aircraft.

Feedback from Have your say comments

Feedback

This unit needs revision in terms of applicable theories relevant to the aviation industry.

Recommendation

Assessments are not relevant to aviation - Update the unit assessment to include problem-solving in an aviation context.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Perform calculations relevant to flight aerodynamics
  2. Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
  3. Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
  4. Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.

In this unit, you will learn to use an E6B or CR3 calculator as necessary for flight related calculations.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Conceptual Physics

12th Global Edition (2015)
Authors: Paul G Hewitt
Pearson Education Limited
Harlow , Essex CM20 Harlow , Essex CM20 , England
ISBN: 9781292057132
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Flight Physics : Essentials of Aeronautical Disciplines and Technology, with Historical Notes

(2009)
Authors: E. Torenbeek and H. Wittenberg
Springer Netherlands
ISBN: 9781402086649
Binding: eBook

Additional Textbook Information

This book and journal is available to read online through the Library website. If you would like your own copy of the textbook, you can purchase either paper or eBook copies at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code).

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Md Nurun Nabi Unit Coordinator
m.nabi@cqu.edu.au
Aruna Ranganathan Unit Coordinator
a.ranganathan@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Unit introduction. History of aviation. Numbers and accuracy. Motion and Newton's first law. 

Chapter

Flight Physics. Chapter: 1.

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 1, 2.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 1: History of aviation. Numbers and accuracy. Motion and Newton's first law.
Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Linear motion. Newton's second and third laws of motion. How Newton's second law is applied to an aeroplane.

Chapter

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 3, 4, 5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 2: Newton's second and third laws of motion.

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

The principles of momentum, energy, and work. Energy in a flying aeroplane.

Chapter

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 6, 7.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 3: The principles of momentum, energy, and work.

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

How does an aeroplane fly?

Pressure in a fluid. Archimedes Principle. Bernoulli's Principle.

Chapter

Flight Physics. Chapter 2.

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 13, 14.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Pressure in a liquid. Archimedes Principle. Bernoulli's Principle.

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Forces act on an aeroplane. Lift, drag, weight, and thrust. 

Chapter

Flight Physics. Chapters: 2, 4.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lift, drag, weight, and thrust.


Assessment 1 (Quiz 1) Due: Week 5 Sunday (14 Aug 2022) 5:00 pm AEST

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Non teaching week. Opportunity for students to consolidate their reading.

Chapter

It is your opportunity to practice the content of Week 1 to Week 5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

None.

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Waves and sound. Radio waves for flight communication.

Chapter

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 19, 20.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 6: Waves and sound.

Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Basic principles of electricity. What is the difference between AC and DC? Introduction to aircraft electrical system components.

Chapter

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 22, 23.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 7: Basic principles of electricity.

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Aircraft engines and propulsion, Aeroplane performance.

Chapter

Flight Physics. Chapters: 5, 6.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 8: Aircraft engines and propulsion, Aeroplane performance.

Week 9 Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Use of flight manual computer to determine flight time, speed, distance and fuel consumption problems.

Chapter

Materials will be available in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 9: Use of flight manual computer to determine flight time, speed, distance and fuel consumption problems.


Assessment 2 Due: Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Principles of light, reflection and refraction.

Chapter

Conceptual Physics. Chapters: 26, 27 and 28

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 10: Principles of light, reflection and refraction.

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Review of class

Chapter

None specific.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Discussion based on examination.


Assessment 1 (Quiz 2) Due: Week 11 Sunday (2 Oct 2022) 5:00 pm AEST

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

No class. Preparation for Online Test.

Chapter

None

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Online Test Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test Week Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The information under Examination is incorrect. The following information should be read as correct information. Instead of an Examination, there is an Online Test in this unit. The guidelines of the Online Test will be available in Moodle. The Online Test assessed all four Learning Outcomes.


This Online Test covers topics from weeks 1 to 10 and consists of a mix of short and descriptive answer questions and some calculations.


This Online Test will be held during the University exam period. The exact date and time will be confirmed by the end of week 9. This online test has a duration of 3 hrs. You will be provided with an additional 30 minutes to read the paper and scan and upload the answer scripts. The Moodle submission link will become inactive 3.5 hrs after the start time. You are encouraged to sit the test from a location with a good Internet connection and where you have access to a scanner. If you are unable to find a scanner, you can use your mobile phone to scan and upload the answer scripts. Please find a list of Camera Scan apps below that is suitable for this.

  • Adobe Scan (DC) https://adobescan.app.link/d/1n1NntFHTkb
  • Microsoft Lens https://apps.apple.com/au/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059
  • SwiftScan https://swiftscan.app/en/index.html
  • CamScanner https://www.camscanner.com/
  • ClearScan https://clearscanapp.com/

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Assessment 1

Task Description

The online quizzes (individual assessments) contain two parts. Part 1 (first quiz) will be conducted in Week 5, and part 2 (second quiz) will be conducted in Week 11.

  • For each quiz, one attempt is allowed.
  • The first quiz in week 5 covers the lectures and tutorials' content of weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4, while the second quiz in week 11 covers the lectures and tutorials' content of weeks 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  • In Moodle, the first quiz will be available on Week 5, Thursday, at 5:00 pm AEST and will remain open on Week 5, Sunday, until 5:00 pm AEST. The second quiz will be available in Moodle on Week 11, Thursday, at 5:00 pm AEST and will remain open on Week 11, Sunday, until 5:00 pm AEST.
  • Both quizzes must be completed within the given timeframe.
  • There will be 20 questions for each quiz (a combination of multiple-choice, true/false, fill-up the blanks, simple calculations etc.).
  • Students will be given 40 minutes for each quiz to answer the questions. Your quizzes will automatically be submitted after 40 minutes.
  • Each question will carry equal marks.
  • Questions will be drawn from a pool of question banks. Twenty (20) questions will be randomly selected and displayed for each quiz when you attempt the quizzes.
  • Your responsibility is to ensure that you use a reliable internet connection for this test.
  • You can attempt the quizzes at any location, provided you have uninterrupted access to the Moodle website.
  • Attempt all questions, as there are no negative marks for incorrect answers.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Students will be able to see the marks upon completion of their quiz attempt.


Return Date to Students

Students will be able to see the marks upon completion of their quiz attempt.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

The quiz questions are equal weighting and there are no negative marks associated with incorrect answers. Therefore, students are encouraged to attempt all questions within the quiz.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
These are online quizzes, therefore, students will need a steady internet connection to complete them. Students are urged to complete the quizzes during working hours at TaSAC (the ICT help desk). If you experience any technical difficulties, contact TaSAC and alert your Unit Coordinator right away. Students are urged to read the CQU Assessment policy.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform calculations relevant to flight aerodynamics
  • Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
  • Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
  • Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2

Task Description

This is an individual assessment accessible via the unit Moodle site. This assessment will consist of several questions to test the student's basic understanding of physics, including flight physics concepts, which will involve answering some questions. It comprises a set of questions on the topics covered from Week 1 to 8 Week, and students are required to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. Students require to choose any two questions from the listed questions. For each question, there will be marking rubrics in Moodle. This assessment is an important activity to check and enhance students' comprehension. The students should upload their answers to Moodle as a single word /pdf file within the allocated time period. Further specific details related to this assessment will be published on the unit Moodle site in Week 3.

  • Students need to study the questions carefully, consult with the provided lecture/tutorial materials and conduct research using textbooks, journal articles, and website materials.
  • Students should use appropriate tools for drawings and equations for drawings and equations.
  • There is no specific word count in answering each question.
  • Students are strongly advised to cover the related materials sufficiently before answering the assessment.
  • A late submission penalty will be applied as per CQUniversity policy.
  • Unacceptable similarity scores will also be treated according to CQU policy.
  • For late submission and unacceptable similarity scores, students are advised to refer to CQUniversity policy.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 5:00 pm AEST

Written assessment


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (30 Sept 2022)

Marks and comments will be uploaded in Moodle


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Each question in the assessment will be assessed separately against the following criterion:

  • Proper formatting and structuring.
  • Have neat, legible and tidy work and presentation.
  • Evidence of understanding, correct workings, answers and solutions to questions.
  • Accuracy and correct results Correct use of terminology (scientific language), and conventions.
  • The correct referencing style where necessary.
  • On-time submission.
  • Prepare answers while respecting the contributions of others by providing appropriate referencing and citations.
  • If answering questions requires drawing diagrams and/or writing equations, students should use appropriate tools to have quality diagrams and or equations.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A dedicated submission link is available in Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
  • Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
  • Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?