Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop an understanding of the theory of flight, design and analysis of helicopters, auto-gyros and other rotary wing aircraft. Students will gain an appreciation of the extra difficulties involved when the vehicle flow is cyclic in nature. At the end of this unit students will be able to: Identify and predict the various flow states of a generic lift producing rotor; Use appropriate methods to determine the forces and torques associated with the rotor; Estimate values for typical stability derivatives for helicopters and be able to construct a simple set of stability analysis equations for the vehicle; become aware of the regulatory and liability requirements relating to all aspects of commercial helicopter operation and maintenance. Course content will include introduction to rotary wing aircraft; vertical flight performance; forward flight performance; blade motion and control; dynamics of rotors; rotor-craft stability; rotor blade design.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(AERO3260 or AERO8260 or AERO9260) and (AERO3560 or AERO8560 or AERO9560) or equivalent study at another institution
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Prior Learning: concepts from 3000 level Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics will be applied to Rotary Wing Vehicles in this unit
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	KC Wong, kc.wong@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Assignment 1 Development of “Mission Concept” for a designated “Rotorcraft Mission”, covering the “Mission Profile”, “Mission Time” and “Mission Execution”. Presentation of Design Team’s Developed Mission Concept.	15%	Week 02 Due date: 11 Aug 2025 at 11:00 Closing date: 11 Aug 2025	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 2 Requirements Analysis of the “Request-for-Proposal” and development of “Operational Requirements”, “Mission Requirements”, “Flight Performance Requirements” and “Logistic Support Requirements”. Translation of these to “Design Requirements”.	10%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 11:00 Closing date: 08 Sep 2025	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 3 Development of “Mission Payload” for a designated “Rotorcraft Mission” covering the “Capabilities Selection” of various “Mission Systems Technologies” at TRL 7-8 and its location (Internal or External) on the Rotorcraft Platform with its Weights and Sizes	10%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2025 at 11:00 Closing date: 22 Sep 2025	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final Design Report ”Operation and Platform Configuration Analysis’ for Configuration Selection. Design Analysis and Development for evaluation of the Rotorcraft Weight, Size, Shape and Power. Development of Team’s Design Report and its Presentation of the Rotorcraft Concept	45%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 Nov 2025	20 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation of Final Design ”Operation and Platform Configuration Analysis’ for Configuration Selection. Design Analysis and Development for evaluation of the Rotorcraft Weight, Size, Shape and Power. Development of Team’s Design Report and its Presentation of the Rotorcraft Concept	20%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2025 at 11:00 Closing date: 27 Oct 2025	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Development of “Mission Concept” for a designated “Rotorcraft Mission”, covering the “Mission Profile”, “Mission Time” and “Mission Execution”. Presentation of Design Team’s Developed Mission Concept.
Assignment 2: : Requirements Analysis of the “Request-for-Proposal” and development of “Operational Requirements”, “Mission Requirements”, “Flight Performance Requirements” and “Logistic Support Requirements”. Translation of these to “Design Requirements”. Presentation of Design Team’s Developed Design Requirements.
Assignment 3: Development of “Mission Payload” for a designated “Rotorcraft Mission” covering the “Capabilities Selection” of various “Mission Systems Technologies” at TRL 7-8 and its location (Internal or External) on the Rotorcraft Platform with its Weights and Sizes. Presentation of Design Team’s Developed Mission Payload and its Layout.
Assignment 4: ”Operation and Platform Configuration Analysis’ for Configuration Selection. Design Analysis and Development for evaluation of the Rotorcraft Weight, Size, Shape and Power. Development of Team’s Design Report and its Presentation of the Rotorcraft Conceptual Design.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Ongoing	To conduct research, complete assignments, and work on design reports.	Independent study (80 hr)
Week 01	Overview of rotorcraft development worldwide, present technology and market status and the future.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Operation and design analysis of Australian rotorcraft accidents.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Rotorcraft roles and missions.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Mission Profile, Mission Time and Mission Concept	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Mission Systems Technologies and its Mission Capabilities.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	System Life Cycle and the Design Phases .	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Request for Proposal and Design Requirements.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Conceptual design stages.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Weight and Drag estimations.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Power requirements evaluations.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Rotorcraft sizing, shape and final layout (internal and external).	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Design Report.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Assessment feedback	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture : 2hr lecture per week covering theoretical background information.
Tutorial: 2hr Design session to allow progress on through semester projects.
Independent Study: Self paced research, assignment progress and analysis will be required to complete the given assignments. As a senior elective it is expected that a majority of the learning in this unit will be self-paced and self-directed.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the Layout and Composition of a Request-for-Proposal (RFP) and the Structure and Composition of Design Report
LO2. Extract Operational/Mission/Flight Performance/Logistic Support Requirements from the RFP and translate it to Design Requirements
LO3. Develop Mission Concept from Mission Requirements, covering Mission Profile, Mission Time and Mission Execution.
LO4. Analyse Mission Systems Technologies and its Capabilities to select the Mission Systems Technologies for formulation the Mission Payload and position its layout on the Platform.
LO5. Select the Optimum Platform Configuration and evaluate its Weight, Size, Shape and Power that aligns with the Design Requirements extracted from the RFP.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit, having not been offered for several years, is being offered with revised Learning Outcomes, Learning Activities, and Assessments.

Additional information

This unit will be taught by Dr Arvind Sinha, who was previously Head of Engineering (Helicopters) with Australian Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AERO5206: Rotary Wing Aircraft

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links