VEGA COURSEWARE IN BASIC AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING

All of our units have been designed to meet the requirements of the trainers at HMS Sultan, RN to give basic engineering training to recently-joined maintenance staff. The material has been developed with the close involvement of naval instructors to improve the delivery of a proven programme of engineering courses. The courseware units consist purely of industry-standard graphics items i.e. still images are contained in PCX files and animations are contained in FLC files. These file formats will be supported by nearly all readily-available graphics packages. One of the advantages of this approach is that the material could be adapted extremely easily for use by TSI as it requires no programming knowledge. Animations range from 2D hydraulic circuits showing fluid flow to highly detailed 3D moving mechanical structures. Compound diagrams allow for selective reveal by the instructor. All of the following courseware units can be made available subject to agreement by MoD. 1. RADAR AND COMMUNICATIONS This is an introduction to the basic theory of radar principles. It includes the generation of microwaves, simple aspects of signal processing such as target range and velocity and explains the effects of clutter. The treatment is generally applicable rather than concentrating on any specific hardware. The material on communications is a simple introduction to modulation schemes. Animations are used to simplify treatment of the topic to avoid the need for mathematics. The course starts by using clear images and animations to describe to students how the basic components in radar systems are made and how they work. Components include charging circuits, Klystrons, Gunn Diodes, Travelling Wave Tubes and others. The course continues by explaining how the components are used to support some fundamentals of radar The principles of pulse radar, clutter suppression and beam steering are all covered. Some simple theory such as Fourier Analysis of a rectangular wave is introduced, but only when it is needed and is described in a very simple way. Animations are used wherever possible to clarify understanding. The communications part of the course describes most of the common modulation schemes such as AM, FM and pulse modulation and describes the operation of typical transmitters and receivers. These devices include SSB and FM transmitters and Superhet receivers. The course goes on to look at various aspects of transmission such as optical fibres transmission lines and aerials. In total the course contains over one hundred high-quality graphical images, the majority of which are animated.

2. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS This is an introduction to aspects of aircraft navigation techniques. Material covers gyroscopes, inertial navigation, GPS and navigational aids. Extensive use of 3D graphical animations is used in describing gyroscopes and inertial platforms. Most of the material is general with some practical application being shown on selected aircraft.

The section on navigational aids looks at the operation of a range or instruments including Radar Altimeters, Doppler Receivers, TACAN systems, and MADGE. Simple theory such as the Doppler principle is introduced where necessary to support the explanations.

The material starts with a practical description of the various types of cable which may be encountered including single and twisted pairs, coaxial cable, and fibre optic cable. It continues with a section on the various modulation schemes which can be used in data transmission. Error checking includes animation of cyclic redundancy checking. Finally, the course covers a range of network schemes and topologies including PSDN, Star networks and ring networks, and databuses. The 1553b databus is covered in depth showing the full range of traffic and analysing word content.

Gyroscopes and how they work are covered by starting with simple force explanations and developing the material by adding gimbals incrementally. The principles of the ring laser gyro are also discussed. The course continues with full descriptions of both inertial navigation systems and the Global Positioning System. In total the course contains well over one hundred high-quality graphical images, the majority of which are animated.

The material consists of over 200 mainly still colour images. 4. MISCELLANEOUS SYSTEMS This unit describes a wide range of auxiliary systems found on fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Each system is introduced in terms of its function and the major components are identified. The principles of operation are demonstrated and in many instances the material indicates what happens to the operation in faulty conditions.

3. DATA COMMUNICATIONS This is a broad introduction to data communications. Subjects include encoding of data signals, transmission protocols, an introduction to databuses and network topology.

The systems include : various ice and rain protection systems, hydraulics pressure indication systems, centralised warning systems, undercarriage control and indication systems, environmental control systems, engine speed monitoring systems, oxygen systems, fire detection systems, speed sensing systems and automatic helicopter blade folding.

The material consists of approximately 140 colour images which are a mixture of stills, flow diagrams, animations and build-up diagrams. 5. FUEL SYSTEMS This unit provides a fairly comprehensive introduction to the fuel systems on selected aircraft. The course starts with a general description of fuel systems found both in rotary wing aircraft and fixed wing. The descriptions also include animations to show what happens when a fault is present in the system. The section on fixed wing looks at the effect of fuel usage on the aircraft centre of gravity and how systems can balance the aircraft as fuel is used. It also describes the operation of a pressured fuel system. The course then goes on to look at the components within each type of fuel system (fixed wing and rotary) and how they operate. The coverage includes the mechanical and electrical systems and how the fuel contents parts work. There is a complete section on fuel control systems which looks at the requirements for the system and identifies the components down to block diagram level. The treatment is extended to multiengine systems and the secondary functions of the system. The material consists of over 100 colour images which are a mixture of stills, flow diagrams, animations and build-up diagrams. 6. FLYING CONTROLS This is an extensive introduction to all of the mechanical controls involved in helicopter flight. About 50% of the material is general with the other 50% concentrating on specific aircraft systems. Extensive use of 3D graphical animations is used in describing operation of the mechanical linkages. The material starts with the introduction of the hydraulic q feel unit. The course continues with an explanation of the function and operation of the main

components in a fully-articulated rotorhead system. This treatment is repeated for the semi-rigid rotorhead system. Finally it covers the requirements and operation of a tandem servo jack and tail rotor servo unit as used on the semirigid rotorhead system. There are over fifty colour images and the majority of these are complex 3D animations.

7. AUTOMATIC FLYING CONTROLS This is an introduction to electronic circuits used to control the mechanical flying controls. Pilot procedures and their effect on flying control circuitry are described in detail. The course starts with a description of the operation of an aircraft-powered flying control system and the associated hydraulics components. The operation of FCS channels are described for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. The principles of operation of a modern, Dual/Duplex flight control system are illustrated. Finally the material looks at the principle of operation of an autopilot system. There are over sixty colour images the majority of these are animations. animations are procedural in nature longest of these can extend to a minutes in duration. and The and few

related systems such as a range of torque metering systems, rotor brakes, transmission sensors and electronic indicator systems. There will be approximately twenty colour images. 10. WEAPONS SYSTEMS This is a broad introduction to the range of weapon systems used by the navy. It includes a description of bomb components and how they operate, an introduction to guided weapons, safety precautions and detailed coverage of the 30mm Aden Gun. The section on bombs includes identification of the components and principles of operation of a wide range of bombs including 1000lb bombs and practise bombs. The operation of bomb fuzes is given particular attention. The section includes handling and safety precautions. The underwater section includes both depth charges and torpedoes. Depth charges operation covers dropping in live and safe mode. Handling and safety precautions are described for both types of device. The devices are discussed within the context of a stores management system. The section on pyrotechnics covers chaff and flare dispensing systems including loading, operation, and handling and safety precautions. The section on guns is based mainly around the Aden Gun. Safety precautions are discussed for working on the gun and when handling ammunition. The section on aircraft guided weapons covers operation, and handling and safety precautions specific to Sea Skuas, Sidewinders and Sea Eagle. There are approximately 200 colour images which are a mixture of stills and animations. 11. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

8. HYDRAULICS A wide range of basic hydraulic components are described in terms of their structure, operation and standard symbology. Hydraulic circuits are introduced starting with simple idealised circuits and leading on to some practical circuits such as a specific aircraft undercarriage. The basic hydraulic components include most that will be found on aircraft systems e.g. reservoirs, a range of pumps, filters, relief valves, pressure transmitters, accumulators and selectors. The range of circuits to demonstrate operation include a simple undercarriage circuit, a hydraulic sequence valve, a rotary wing aircraft retractable undercarriage system and an emergency extension system. There are forty-four colour images and the majority of these are animations. 9. TRANSMISSIONS This is an introduction to the transmission systems found on rotary wing aircraft. Real systems on specific aircraft are described in detail. The operation is described of the drives IN and OUT of a main rotor gearbox employing conformal gears. This is repeated for a gearbox employing involute gears. The material describes the construction and operation of the main rotor, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes. Also included is treatment of other

This is a full introduction into the theory and operation of AC and DC motors and generators and transformers. The material starts with a description of basic electromagnetic effects and progresses to multipole devices. Extensive use is made of 3D animations to demonstrate the operation of all devices. The course introduces simple magnetic theory. The relationship between current in a coil and magnetic flux density is described in sufficient detail to enable simple calculations to be done. B/H curves are described and simple calculations of hysteresis are performed. Induction is covered including selfinductance, mutual inductance and transformer principles. The operation of and major components of DC Generators and DC motors are described. Their characteristics are examined with respect to field winding connections. Other related topics include speed control for DC motors, limiting armature current on starting and losses and efficiency.

There are approximately 200 colour images including many 3D animations particularly in the area of motor and generator operation.

12. ENGINES This is an introduction to petrol and diesel engines. It includes the underlying principles, an introduction to the basic engine components including the ignition system and describes a range of typical engine faults by cause and symptoms. The theoretical Otto Cycle is described and this is compared with the actual Otto cycle. Spark ignition engines are then introduced in terms of the main components and the piston, valve, and crankshaft movement. The operation and components within an ignition system are described including the spark plug, distributor, coil, and the cam and contact breaker. Fuel systems are introduced by considering the U-tube principle and progressing to carburettors and the effect of the throttle. Lubrication in engines is covered. The parts of an engine requiring lubrication are listed and the various types of oil pumps are described. Cooling systems are also described. Compression engines are then covered. Fault diagnosis is supported by a compound diagram which allows the instructor to interact with the class by inspecting components with his mouse to identify the cause of an engine problem. There are approximately 50 colour

The operation of and major components of AC Generators are described. Related topics include the effects of varying power factor on output voltage, three phase brushless generators, two and three phase stator windings. The operation of and major components of cage and wound rotor induction motors, two-phase servo motors and stepper motors are also described. Transformer topics include their construction, how phasor diagrams are used, losses associated with the device, equivalent circuits, power rating systems, fixed and variable ratio autotransformers and three-phase transformers.

images including stills, 3D animations and compound diagrams. 13. SONIC PRINCIPLES This is a basic introduction to sonar principles. The material starts by considering the propagation of sound waves through water and the effects of temperature, salinity and depth. Typical sea temperature profiles and their variation throughout the day and throughout the year are described. Wave refraction is described and this is applied to water depth profiles. Basic transducer components and operation are described. The operation is then extended to two transducers operating adjacent and thence to 90 degree reception. The factors affecting acoustic reception are covered including spreading losses, attenuation with frequency, scattering (surface and volume), reverberation and noise. The remaining material describes the necessary background theory necessary to understand the operation of the Self Resonant Caesium Magnetometer. The material consists of more than fifty colour images with a mixture of stills, compound diagrams and animations. This paper was produced by : VEGA GROUP PLC 2 Falcon Way Shire Park Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 1TW Tel. +44(0)1707 391999