Course on runway and taxiway design
About our
The Runway and Taxiway Design Course focuses on the planning, design, and construction of crucial airport infrastructure. It covers essential aspects such as site studies, runway geometry, pavement design (flexible and rigid), and taxiway dimensioning. It delves into aeronautical regulations, including international ICAO and FAA standards, to ensure safety and efficiency in airport operations.
The course provides knowledge of hydrology and drainage, fundamental for water management on runways, as well as signage and lighting. Modules on environmental impact assessment and project management are included to address the complexities of airport construction and maintenance. Participants learn to use specialized software for design and simulation, preparing them to work on large-scale projects.
Course on runway and taxiway design
- Format: Hybrid
- Duration: 3 months
- Hours: 300 H
- Language: English / Spanish
- Registration date: 23-10-2026
- Start date: 12-12-2026
- Available places: 2
750 $
Competencies and results
What you will learn
1. Runway and Taxiway Design: Total Control
- Evaluate stresses on pavements and runway structures.
- Design surface and subsurface drainage for airfields.
- Calculate pavement load capacity (PCN).
- Apply international standards (ICAO, FAA) in the design.
- Optimize the geometry of runways, taxiways, and aprons.
- Manage airfield construction and maintenance projects.
- Select appropriate materials (asphalt, concrete) for pavements.
- Model pavement behavior using specialized software.
2. Rotors: Modeling and Expert Performance
- Master advanced rotor analysis, including the evaluation of complex phenomena such as flap-lag-torsion couplings, whirl flutter, and their implications for structural fatigue.
- Apply finite element analysis (FEA) techniques for the precise dimensioning of laminated structures in composites, optimizing the design of joints and bonded joints to maximize efficiency and durability.
- Integrate cutting-edge methodologies such as damage tolerance and the use of non-destructive testing (NDT), including techniques such as UT (ultrasound), RT (radiography), and thermography, to ensure the integrity and safety of rotors throughout their service life.
3. Comprehensive user-oriented design and validation (from modeling to manufacturing)
You will learn to integrate the entire product development process, from initial model conception to final validation, applying user-centered methodologies. You will develop skills in parametric design, ergonomics, simulation, sustainable materials, 3D visualization, and manufacturing management, ensuring efficient, safe solutions that meet current industry standards.
4. Design and Optimization of Air Runways
- Identify and evaluate the essential characteristics for runway design, including length, width, slopes, and safety zones.
- Apply international regulations (ICAO, FAA) and design standards to ensure the safety and efficiency of air operations.
- Analyze pavement strength, considering aircraft loads, soil types, and climatic factors to predict runway performance and service life.
- Evaluate drainage, lighting, and signaling systems, ensuring safe operation under diverse weather conditions and at various times of day.
- Implement optimization strategies, such as capacity analysis and air traffic flow management, to improve operational efficiency.
- Understand and apply inspection and preventive maintenance techniques, including damage analysis and pavement repair, to extend runway service life and minimize disruptions.
- Use specialized software (e.g., PAVER, FAARFIELD) to Simulate design scenarios, analyze performance, and optimize airport infrastructure.
5. Rotor Modeling: Optimization and Design
- Understand and apply critical aeroelastic coupling analysis: flap-lag-torsion, crucial for rotor stability.
- Study and mitigate the whirl flutter phenomenon, a significant risk in rotor design.
- Evaluate fatigue resistance and develop strategies to extend rotor service life.
- Master the dimensioning of laminated components made of composites, optimizing weight and strength.
- Design and analyze structural and bonded joints using the finite element (FE) method.
- Apply the principles of damage tolerance, evaluating the rotor’s capacity to withstand damage.
- Utilize non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques such as UT/RT/thermography for inspection and evaluation of structural integrity.
6. Rotor Modeling and Performance Improvement
- Analyze the vibration modes and stability of rotors, including aeroelastic coupling effects.
- Evaluate the structural response of rotors to dynamic and static loads, considering phenomena such as flap-lag-torsion, whirl flutter, and fatigue.
- Design and optimize rotor geometry to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce vibration.
Who this program is for:
Course on runway and taxiway design
- Graduates in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related fields.
- Professionals in OEM rotorcraft/eVTOL, MRO, consulting, and technology centers.
- Flight Testing, certification, avionics, control, and dynamics seeking specialization.
- Regulators/authorities and UAM/eVTOL professionals requiring compliance skills.
Recommended requirements: foundation in aerodynamics and control and structures; ES/EN B2+/C1. We offer bridging tracks if you need them.
- Standards-driven curriculum: you will work with CS-27/CS-29, DO-160, DO-178C/DO-254, ARP4754A/ARP4761, ADS-33E-PRF from the first module.
- Accreditable laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibrations/acoustics.
- Evidence-oriented TFM: safety case, test plan, compliance dossierand operational limits.
- Mentored by industry: teachers with experience in rotorcraft, tiltrotor, eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
- Flexible modality (hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
- Ethics and security: safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Module 1 — Runway Fundamentals and Design
1.1 Runway and Taxiway Design: Key Concepts
1.2 Runway Geometry: Essential Elements
1.3 Taxiway Design: Configurations and Standards
1.4 Pavement Materials: Selection and Properties
1.5 Loads and Structural Analysis: Calculation and Design
1.6 Drainage and Water Management: Design and Evaluation
1.7 Lighting and Signaling: Regulations and Systems
1.8 Runway Safety: Design and Risk Mitigation
1.9 Capacity Studies and Runway Planning
1.10 Case Study: Runway Design for Different Aircraft Types
2.2 Fundamentals of Rotor Modeling
2.2 Key Parameters of Rotor Design
2.3 Rotor Aerodynamics: Theory and Application
2.4 Numerical Modeling: CFD and BEM
2.5 Performance Analysis: Thrust, Power, and Efficiency
2.6 Rotor Flight Dynamics
2.7 Rotor Materials and Manufacturing
2.8 Rotor Geometry Optimization
2.9 Rotor Selection for Different Applications
2.20 Case Studies: Rotor Modeling and Analysis
3.3 eVTOL and UAM: Electric Propulsion, Multiple Rotors
3.2 Emerging Certification Requirements (SC-VTOL, Special Conditions)
3.3 Energy and Thermal in E-Propulsion (Batteries/Inverters)
3.4 Design for Maintainability and Modular Swaps
3.5 LCA/LCC in Rotorcraft and eVTOL (Footprint and Cost)
3.6 Operations & Vertiports: Airspace Integration
3.7 Data & Digital Thread: MBSE/PLM for Change Control
3.8 Tech Risk and Readiness: TRL/CRL/SRL
3.9 IP, Certifications, and Time-to-Market
3.30 Case Clinic: Go/No-Go with Risk Matrix
4.4 Legal and Regulatory Foundations in Runway Design
4.2 Runway Types: Classification and Characteristics
4.3 Runway Geometry and Design: Dimensions and Specifications
4.4 Taxiway Design: Configuration and Requirements
4.5 Runway and Taxiway Materials and Construction
4.6 Signaling and Lighting: Regulations and Applications
4.7 Runway Drainage and Water Management Systems
4.8 Runway Operational Safety and Risk Management
4.9 Runway and Taxiway Evaluation and Maintenance
4.40 Case Studies: Runway Design and Evaluation
2.4 Principles of Rotor Aerodynamics
2.2 Rotor Modeling: Theory and Methods
2.3 Airfoil Design for Rotors
2.4 Rotor Performance Analysis: Power and Efficiency
2.5 Rotor Selection: Types and Applications
2.6 Ground Effects and Hovering
2.7 Rotor Design: Structural and Material Aspects
2.8 Simulation and Numerical Analysis of Rotors
2.9 Rotor Design Optimization
2.40 Practical Cases: Rotor Modeling and Analysis
3.4 Optimization Methods Applied to Rotors
3.2 Airfoil Design Optimization
3.3 Rotor Plant Design Optimization
3.4 Performance Optimization Under Different Flight Conditions
3.5 Design Sensitivity and Robustness Analysis
3.6 Optimization Tools and Software
3.7 Rotor Energy Efficiency Optimization
3.8 Optimization for Noise Reduction
3.9 Case Studies: Rotor Optimization
3.40 Design of Experiments and Validation of Results
4.4 Runway Design: Planning and Conceptual Design
4.2 Runway Geometric Design and Specifications
4.3 Taxiway and Apron Design
4.4 Runway Capacity and Efficiency Optimization
4.5 Safety Considerations and Risk Management
4.6 Lighting System Design and signaling
4.7 Drainage and water management system design
4.8 Environmental impact and sustainability in runway design
4.9 Runway performance simulation and analysis
4.40 Case studies: runway design and optimization
5.4 Rotor modeling methodologies
5.2 Conceptual rotor design
5.3 Airfoil selection and design
5.4 Rotor plant layout design
5.5 Performance and efficiency analysis
5.6 Structural design and stress analysis
5.7 Simulation and analysis tools
5.8 Rotor design optimization
5.9 Rotor integration into aircraft design
5.40 Case studies: rotor modeling and design
6.4 Rotor optimization techniques
6.2 Airfoil optimization
6.3 Rotor plant layout design optimization
6.4 Optimization for different flight conditions
6.5 Sensitivity and Robustness
6.6 Optimization Tools and Software
6.7 Improving Energy Efficiency
6.8 Noise and Vibration Reduction
6.9 Case Studies: Rotor Optimization
6.40 Validation and Verification of Results
7.4 Runway Design: Requirements and Regulations
7.2 Geometric Design and Technical Specifications
7.3 Taxiways and Apron Design
7.4 Runway and Taxiway Materials and Construction
7.5 Signaling and Marking: Standards and Design
7.6 Drainage Systems and Water Management
7.7 Safety Considerations and Risk Management
7.8 Runway Performance Evaluation
7.9 Runway and Taxiway Maintenance and Rehabilitation
7.40 Case Studies: Runway Design and Analysis
8.4 Runway Modeling: Principles and Methodologies
8.2 Modeling Runway Geometry and Characteristics
8.3 Modeling Vehicle Behavior on Runways
8.4 Runway Capacity and Efficiency Analysis
8.5 Performance Evaluation Under Different Conditions
8.6 Traffic Flow Simulation and Analysis
8.7 Runway Management System Design
8.8 Runway Design Optimization
8.9 Performance Evaluation Under Critical Conditions
8.40 Case Studies: Runway Modeling and Performance
5.5 Fundamental Concepts of Rotor Design
5.5 Aerodynamic Analysis of Rotors
5.3 Geometric Design and Selection of Airfoils
5.4 Flight Dynamics and Rotor Stability
5.5 Rotor Materials and Manufacturing
5.6 Rotor Control Systems
5.7 Rotor Performance Optimization
5.8 Rotor Design for Helicopters
5.9 Rotor Design for Drones
5.50 Future Trends in Rotor Design
6.6 eVTOL and UAM: Electric Propulsion, Multiple Rotors
6.2 Emerging Certification Requirements (SC-VTOL, Special Conditions)
6.3 Energy and Thermal in E-Propulsion (Batteries/Inverters)
6.4 Design for Maintainability and Modular Swaps
6.5 LCA/LCC in Rotorcraft and eVTOL (Footprint and Cost)
6.6 Operations & Vertiports: Airspace Integration
6.7 Data & Digital Thread: MBSE/PLM for Change Control
6.8 Tech Risk and Readiness: TRL/CRL/SRL
6.9 IP, Certifications, and Time-to-Market
6.60 Case Study: Go/No-Go with Risk Matrix
- Hands-on methodology: test-before-you-trust, design reviews, failure analysis, compliance evidence.
- Software (depending on licenses/partners): MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy/SciPy), OpenVSP, SU2/OpenFOAM, Nastran/Abaqus, AMESim/Modelica, acoustics tools, planning toolchains DO-178C.
- SEIUM Laboratories: scale rotor bench, vibrations/acoustics, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL for AFCS, data acquisition with strain gauging.
- Standards and compliance: EN 9100, 17025, ISO 27001, GDPR.
Capstone-type projects
Admissions, fees, and scholarships
- Profile: Background in Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related fields; practical experience in NLP and valued information retrieval systems.
- Documentation: Updated CV, academic transcript, SOP/statement of purpose, project examples or code (optional).
- Process: Application → Technical evaluation of profile and experience → Technical interview → Review of case studies → Final decision → Enrollment.
- Fees:
- Single payment: 10% discount.
- Payment in 3 installments: No fees; 30% upon registration + 2 equal monthly payments of the remaining 35%.
Monthly payment: available with a 7% commission on the total; annual review.
Scholarships: based on academic merit, financial need, and promoting inclusion; agreements with companies in the sector for partial or full scholarships.
See “Calendar & Calls for Applications,” “Scholarships & Grants,” and “Fees & Financing” in the SEIUM mega-menu.
Do you have any questions?
Our team is ready to help you. Contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible.
F. A. Q
Frequently asked questions
Yes, we have international certification
Yes: experimental models, real data, applied simulations, professional environments, real case studies.
It is not mandatory. We offer leveling tracks and tutoring.
Completely. It covers e-propulsion, integration, and emerging regulations (SC-VTOL).
Recommended. There are also internal challenges and consortiums.
Yes. Online/hybrid modality with planned labs and visa support (see “Visa & Residence”).