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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Course on Composite Materials Standards for Helicopters

Online 300 h course on composite materials standards for helicopters. 6 modules covering CS-29 (EASA, large rotorcraft), FAA AC 20-107B (composite structures) and Abaqus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Justify the use of composites in rotary-wing structures.

02

Interpret the qualification standards for composite materials.

03

Control manufacturing processes and their variability.

04

Plan verification through testing and the test pyramid.

05

Apply non-destructive inspection techniques.

06

Assess damage tolerance and in-service repairs.

07

Prepare a certification plan for a composite component.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Composite materials engineer who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Helicopter structures engineer who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Structural certification engineer who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Non-destructive inspection technician who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Manufacturing process engineer who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Structural repair engineer who wishes to specialise in composite materials standards for helicopters.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the aerospace industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-29 (EASA, large rotorcraft)
  • FAA AC 20-107B (composite structures)
  • AMC 20-29 (composite structures)
  • CMH-17 (composite materials handbook)
  • ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of composites)
  • ASTM D7136 (impact damage resistance)
  • EN 9100 (aerospace quality systems)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Advantages over metal in rotor and fuselage
  2. 1.2Main and tail rotor blades
  3. 1.3Rotor hub and flexible elements
  4. 1.4Panels, fairings and floors
  5. 1.5Masts and load-transfer elements
  6. 1.6Limitations: repairability, cost and moisture
  7. 1.7Behaviour under fatigue and impact
  8. 1.8Differences from fixed-wing structures
  9. 1.9Sector vocabulary and acronyms
  10. 1.10Exercise: justify the choice of material for each part
  1. 2.1Prepreg and fibre specifications
  2. 2.2Resin and adhesive specifications
  3. 2.3Core materials: honeycomb and foam
  4. 2.4Obtaining admissible design data
  5. 2.5Shared databases and their use
  6. 2.6Material and supplier qualification
  7. 2.7Equivalence and second sourcing
  8. 2.8Batch control, shelf life and storage
  9. 2.9Material traceability to the part
  10. 2.10Practice: a material qualification plan
  1. 3.1Manual and automated layup
  2. 3.2Autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing
  3. 3.3Infusion and resin transfer moulding
  4. 3.4Cycle control: temperature, pressure and vacuum
  5. 3.5Structural bonding and surface preparation
  6. 3.6Typical defects: porosity, delamination and wrinkles
  7. 3.7Clean rooms, humidity and environmental conditions
  8. 3.8Process and operator qualification
  9. 3.9Process records and cure witness coupons
  10. 3.10Practice: review of a cure record
  1. 4.1Test pyramid applied to composites
  2. 4.2Coupon and characterisation testing
  3. 4.3Effect of moisture and temperature
  4. 4.4Impact damage and residual strength
  5. 4.5Damage tolerance and detectable size
  6. 4.6Non-destructive testing: ultrasonics and thermography
  7. 4.7Bond inspection and its reliability
  8. 4.8Blade and rotor component testing
  9. 4.9Acceptance and rejection criteria
  10. 4.10Practice: an inspection plan for a blade
  1. 5.1Scheduled inspections and typical findings
  2. 5.2Damage classification and admissible limits
  3. 5.3Bonded patch and laminate repairs
  4. 5.4Repair approval and design data
  5. 5.5Repair personnel qualification
  6. 5.6Lightning protection in composite structures
  7. 5.7Erosion, galvanic corrosion and protection
  8. 5.8Material obsolescence and requalification
  9. 5.9End of life and waste management
  10. 5.10Practice: a repair record file
  1. 6.1Choice of composite component
  2. 6.2Justified material specification
  3. 6.3Process definition and its controls
  4. 6.4Verification test plan
  5. 6.5Damage tolerance analysis
  6. 6.6In-service inspection plan
  7. 6.7Scheme of admissible repairs
  8. 6.8Documentation management and traceability
  9. 6.9Technical report on the component
  10. 6.10Project defence
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There is no fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, CATIA Composites Design, FiberSIM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for mechanical testing of composite coupons, ultrasonic non-destructive inspection and assessment of structural repairs. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating 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, OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Choice of composite component

Justify the use of composites in rotary-wing structures.

Justified material specification

Interpret the qualification standards for composite materials.

Process definition and its controls

Control manufacturing processes and their variability.

Verification test plan

Plan verification through testing and the test pyramid.

Damage tolerance analysis

Apply non-destructive inspection techniques.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Composite materials engineerHelicopter structures engineerStructural certification engineerNon-destructive inspection technicianManufacturing process engineerStructural repair engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

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

Ready to start?

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

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, CATIA Composites Design and FiberSIM. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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