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CourseNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Enrolment open

Course in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils)

Online 300 h course in hydrodynamics of hydrofoils (foils). 6 modules with HSC Code 2000, the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, DNV-RU-HSLC Rules for High Speed and Light Craft and XFOIL. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the hydrodynamic lift of foils.

02

Analyse cavitation and ventilation on profiles and struts.

03

Model flight dynamics and their control.

04

Structurally design foils in composite materials.

05

Evaluate commercial and sport applications of hydrofoils.

06

Apply the regulations for high-speed craft.

07

Develop the preliminary design of a foiling craft.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Hydrofoil engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • Fast craft designer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • Flight control engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • Composites engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • Marine R&D manager wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter electric ferries.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • HSC Code 2000 International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft
  • DNV-RU-HSLC Rules for High Speed and Light Craft
  • ISO 12215-9 Sailing boat appendages
  • Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft
  • ITTC 7.5-02-05-01 High Speed Marine Vehicles: Resistance Test
  • World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing
  • IMO Resolution MSC.97(73) adoption of the HSC Code 2000
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Hydrodynamic profiles and lift coefficients
  2. 1.2Lift-to-drag ratio and efficiency
  3. 1.3Surface-piercing versus fully submerged foils
  4. 1.4Effect of free-surface proximity
  5. 1.5Take-off and transition to flight
  6. 1.6Canard and conventional configurations
  7. 1.7History: from Forlanini to foiling ferries
  8. 1.8Foil scaling and Reynolds number
  9. 1.9Loads on struts and foils
  10. 1.10Case study: sizing a lifting foil
  1. 2.1Cavitation on profiles at high speed
  2. 2.2Design of supercavitating profiles
  3. 2.3Ventilation from the free surface
  4. 2.4Struts and flow separation
  5. 2.5Sudden loss of lift
  6. 2.6Anti-ventilation fence designs
  7. 2.7Operational speed limits
  8. 2.8Tank and channel testing of foils
  9. 2.9Erosion and foil damage
  10. 2.10Practice: estimating cavitation inception speed
  1. 3.1Longitudinal stability in flight
  2. 3.2Height control: sensors and flaps
  3. 3.3Mechanical systems with surface-tracking probes
  4. 3.4Electronic control and actuators
  5. 3.5Response in waves and wave orbital motion
  6. 3.6Lateral stability and coordinated turns
  7. 3.7Six degrees of freedom models
  8. 3.8PID controller tuning
  9. 3.9Safety against control failures
  10. 3.10Laboratory: height control simulation
  1. 4.1Design loads and safety factors
  2. 4.2Carbon fibre and prepreg laminates
  3. 4.3Moulding and autoclave manufacturing
  4. 4.4Titanium and steel metal foils
  5. 4.5Joints between foil, strut and hull
  6. 4.6Laminate fatigue
  7. 4.7Deformation and aeroelastic effects
  8. 4.8Inspection and quality control
  9. 4.9Repair of impact damage
  10. 4.10Workshop: laminating a scale foil
  1. 5.1Foiling electric ferries
  2. 5.2Sport craft: Moth, kitefoil and WASZP
  3. 5.3AC75 and IMOCA racing yachts
  4. 5.4Work and patrol boats
  5. 5.5Energy savings compared with planing hulls
  6. 5.6Comfort and reduced motion
  7. 5.7Regulations applicable to foiling ferries
  8. 5.8Safety aspects and collision with objects
  9. 5.9Market and technology trends
  10. 5.10Case study: evaluating a foiling electric ferry
  1. 6.1Mission and speed requirements
  2. 6.2Foil configuration and layout
  3. 6.3Hydrodynamic profile design
  4. 6.4Cavitation and ventilation analysis
  5. 6.5Flight control system
  6. 6.6Structural calculation of foils and struts
  7. 6.7Power and range estimation
  8. 6.8Operational safety analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is XFOIL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for flight height control simulation, strut ventilation testing and structural calculation of carbon foils. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-based final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, IHL and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Mission and speed requirements

Understand the hydrodynamic lift of foils.

Foil configuration and layout

Analyse cavitation and ventilation on profiles and struts.

Hydrodynamic profile design

Model flight dynamics and their control.

Cavitation and ventilation analysis

Structurally design foils in composite materials.

Flight control system

Evaluate commercial and sport applications of hydrofoils.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Hydrofoil engineerFast craft designerFlight control engineerComposites engineerCFD engineerMarine R&D manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.

You will work with XFOIL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Composite PrepPost. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM diploma awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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