Aircraft Structures and Control · SHS3 Aviation And…

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.1 - Apply the understanding of moments in Physics to aircraft movement and stability configurations.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Recall the concept of moments from Physics and explain how a moment (turning effect) is calculated using the formula Moment = Force × Perpendicular Distance.
Apply the principle of moments to describe how forces acting on an aircraft produce rotation about its three axes (pitch, roll, and yaw).
Demonstrate through simple demonstrations how a flat surface, concave surface, and convex surface represent neutral, stable, and unstable static equilibrium respectively, and relate each to aircraft behaviour.
Distinguish between static stability and dynamic stability, using the motion of a ball on different surfaces and the breaking of a twig in wind as practical illustrations.
Relate the concept of moments to aircraft stability configurations, identifying where the centre of gravity and centre of pressure should be located for stable flight.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Core Concepts in Aerospace Engineering (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Aircraft Structures and Control (1.3)
Content standard: 3.1.3.CS.3 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the factors that account for stability of an aerospace vehicle. 3.1.3.LO.1 Identify the structural design of an airframe. 3.1.3.LO.2 Discuss the flight controls of aerospace vehicle and its impact on the movement of the vehicle. 3.1.3.LO.3 Explain the concepts of static dynamic stability of aerospace vehicles.
Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.1 - Apply the understanding of moments in Physics to aircraft movement and stability configurations.
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 11 (Week 11 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 96

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Experiential Learning:
- Teacher reviews moments and its applications from Physics.
- Through demonstrations, use the motion of a small ball on a plate, a concave surface, and a convex surface to illustrate neutral, stable and unstable static modes, respectively, of aerospace vehicles.
- Using the breaking of a twig after being excited by strong wind, teacher explains dynamic stability to students.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- A small ball
- Flat plate
- Pendulum
- Snapshots of birds in flight
- Introduction
- John D.
- to flight (a book by
- Anderson, Jr.)
Assessment (3.1.3.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding.