Master’s in Helicopter and Tiltrotor Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in helicopter and tiltrotor engineering, with 12 modules covering rotor aerodynamics and dynamics, flight mechanics, tiltrotor conversion, transmissions, structures, propulsion, avionics and CS-27/CS-29 certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse rotor aerodynamics and dynamics.
Assess helicopter flight mechanics and handling qualities.
Understand tiltrotor conversion and control.
Analyse transmissions, structures and powerplant.
Apply the CS-27 and CS-29 certification requirements.
Assess operational safety from an ethical and legal perspective.
Develop a conceptual design for a civil helicopter or tiltrotor.
Who it's for
- Rotorcraft engineers looking to deepen their expertise in helicopters and tiltrotors.
- Rotor dynamics engineers.
- Flight mechanics engineers.
- Transmission engineers working on rotorcraft drive systems.
- Certification engineers dealing with CS-27/CS-29 aircraft.
- Researchers in rotary-wing aircraft.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aeronautical sector.
What you'll work with
- CS-27 (certification specifications for small rotorcraft)
- CS-29 (certification specifications for large rotorcraft)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EU basic aviation safety regulation)
- Regulation (EU) 748/2012 – Part 21 (airworthiness and design/production certification)
- ADS-33E-PRF (rotorcraft handling qualities requirements)
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process for civil airborne systems)
- CS-E (certification specifications for engines)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual-use export control)
- FLIGHTLAB
- CAMRAD II
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ANSYS Fluent
- NASTRAN
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Historical evolution of the helicopter1.2Main rotor and anti-torque configurations1.3Coaxial and tandem rotors1.4High-speed compounds1.5Tiltrotor aircraft1.6Civil and public-service missions1.7Market and reference manufacturers1.8Academic, legal and ethical framework of the sector1.9Current technological challenges1.10Case study: comparison of high-speed configurations
2.1Blade element theory with wake2.2Free and prescribed wake models2.3Induced flow distribution2.4Compressibility at the blade tip2.5Dynamic stall on the blade2.6Blade-vortex interaction and noise2.7Tiltrotor aerodynamics2.8Rotor-wing interference in tiltrotors2.9CFD of rotors with sliding mesh2.10Lab: BEMT analysis of a rotor
3.1Blade flapping, lead-lag and torsion3.2Articulated, semi-rigid and bearingless hubs3.3Ground resonance3.4Aeromechanical instability in flight3.5Vibrations transmitted to the fuselage3.6Absorbers and active vibration control3.7Proprotor dynamics in tiltrotors3.8Whirl flutter in proprotors3.9Campbell diagrams3.10Practical: Campbell diagram of a blade
4.1Equilibrium equations in flight4.2Hover and forward-flight performance4.3Ceiling and available power4.4Static and dynamic stability4.5Inter-axis coupling4.6ADS-33E handling qualities4.7Modelling for simulation4.8System identification in flight4.9Height-velocity diagram and avoid zones4.10Workshop: helicopter flight model in FLIGHTLAB
5.1Helicopter, conversion and aeroplane modes5.2Conversion corridor5.3Nacelle tilting mechanisms5.4Control laws during conversion5.5Mixing of rotor controls and control surfaces5.6Tiltrotor performance5.7Civil reference aircraft5.8Tilting rotors in eVTOL5.9Tiltrotor certification challenges5.10Lab: simulation of the conversion corridor
6.1Main gearboxes6.2Planetary and bevel gears6.3Drive shafts and couplings6.4Lubrication and dry running6.5Bearings and their service life6.6Cross-shafting in tiltrotors6.7HUMS health monitoring6.8Particle and vibration analysis6.9Certification of transmissions6.10Practical: life analysis of a gear
7.1Composite blades7.2Fatigue in dynamic components7.3Damage tolerance in blades7.4Fuselage structures7.5Impact resistance and crashworthiness7.6Energy-absorbing seats7.7Lightning protection of composites7.8Fatigue testing of components7.9Structural repairs of composites7.10Workshop: fatigue analysis of a hub
8.1Turboshafts for helicopters8.2Engine integration and air intakes8.3Multi-engine power management8.4Engine failure and OEI operation8.5Engine control with FADEC8.6Hybrid propulsion in rotorcraft8.7Sustainable fuels in turboshafts8.8Fuel consumption and emissions8.9CS-E engine certification8.10Lab: one-engine-inoperative performance
9.1Stability augmentation systems9.2Helicopter autopilots9.3Fly-by-wire controls in rotorcraft9.4Tiltrotor control laws9.5Synthetic vision systems9.6Navigation in degraded environments9.7HTAWS terrain awareness and warning systems9.8Certifiable software and hardware9.9Digital glass cockpits9.10Practical: attitude control law
10.1CS-27 and CS-29 specifications10.2EASA criteria for tiltrotors10.3Category A and B certification10.4ARP4761 safety requirements10.5Certification flight testing10.6Continuing airworthiness of rotorcraft10.7Airworthiness directives10.8Differences from military requirements10.9Ethical framework and civil use10.10Case study: certification basis of a civil tiltrotor
11.1Civil helicopter accident record11.2Human factors in rotorcraft11.3Emergency medical operations11.4Search and rescue11.5Offshore platform operations11.6Noise and social acceptance11.7Dual use and export control11.8Ethical responsibility of the engineer11.9SMS safety management11.10Workshop: analysis of an offshore accident
12.1Civil mission requirements12.2Configuration selection12.3Rotor and engine sizing12.4Performance analysis12.5Rotor dynamic analysis12.6Flight control concept12.7Certification basis12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis: report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is FLIGHTLAB, CAMRAD II, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Fluent and NASTRAN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for rotor aeromechanical analysis, conversion-corridor simulation and fatigue testing of dynamic components. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: CS-27, CS-29, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (Part 21), ADS-33E-PRF, SAE ARP4761, CS-E, Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual use).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with FLIGHTLAB, CAMRAD II, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Fluent and NASTRAN, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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