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Master'sDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Master’s in Helicopters & Rotorcraft Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in helicopter and rotorcraft engineering, with 12 modules covering rotor aerodynamics, flight dynamics and handling qualities, structures, powerplant, transmissions, avionics, vibration and aeroelasticity, CS-27/CS-29 certification, operational safety and maintenance, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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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.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse rotorcraft configurations and missions.

02

Apply rotor aerodynamics to performance calculations.

03

Model flight dynamics and handling qualities.

04

Assess structures, powerplant and transmissions.

05

Understand rotor vibration and aeroelasticity.

06

Apply CS-27, CS-29 and EMAR certification requirements.

07

Manage operational safety and the fleet life cycle.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Helicopter engineers looking for a complete, system-level view of rotorcraft.
  • Rotor aerodynamics engineers working on performance and CFD.
  • Certification engineers preparing CS-27 and CS-29 compliance.
  • Flight dynamics engineers dealing with handling qualities and flight controls.
  • Aircraft maintenance engineers supporting helicopter fleets.
  • Operational safety engineers working with HEMS, SAR and other operators.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-29 (EASA certification specifications for large rotorcraft)
  • CS-27 (EASA certification specifications for small rotorcraft)
  • Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (common rules in civil aviation, EASA)
  • ADS-33E-PRF (handling qualities requirements for military rotorcraft)
  • EMAR 21 (European military airworthiness requirements)
  • RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
  • Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (airworthiness certification, Part 21)
  • CAMRAD II
  • FLIGHTLAB
  • Ansys Fluent
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Nastran
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1History of the helicopter
  2. 1.2Configurations: main rotor and anti-torque
  3. 1.3Coaxial and tandem rotors
  4. 1.4Tiltrotors and compounds
  5. 1.5Civil and state markets
  6. 1.6Civil and public service missions
  7. 1.7Airworthiness regulatory framework
  8. 1.8Ethics and law in state aviation
  9. 1.9Technology trends
  10. 1.10Case study: comparison of rotorcraft configurations
  1. 2.1Momentum theory
  2. 2.2Blade element theory
  3. 2.3Hover
  4. 2.4Forward flight and asymmetry
  5. 2.5Autorotation
  6. 2.6Ground effect
  7. 2.7Vortex ring state
  8. 2.8Blade aerofoils
  9. 2.9CFD simulation of rotors
  10. 2.10Lab: hover power calculation
  1. 3.1Helicopter equations of motion
  2. 3.2Static and dynamic stability
  3. 3.3Inter-axis coupling
  4. 3.4Stability augmentation systems
  5. 3.5Handling qualities according to ADS-33
  6. 3.6Flight controls
  7. 3.7Fly-by-wire in helicopters
  8. 3.8Flight simulation
  9. 3.9Human factors in piloting
  10. 3.10Practical: linearised flight dynamics model
  1. 4.1Fuselage structure
  2. 4.2Composite materials in blades
  3. 4.3Rotor head and articulations
  4. 4.4Damage tolerance
  5. 4.5Fatigue in dynamic components
  6. 4.6Structural certification
  7. 4.7Crashworthiness
  8. 4.8Lightning protection
  9. 4.9Structural repairs
  10. 4.10Case study: fatigue analysis of a dynamic component
  1. 5.1Turboshafts and how they work
  2. 5.2Engine-transmission integration
  3. 5.3FADEC control
  4. 5.4Performance at altitude and temperature
  5. 5.5One engine inoperative
  6. 5.6Intakes and particle protection
  7. 5.7Hybrid and electric engines
  8. 5.8Turbine maintenance
  9. 5.9Engine certification
  10. 5.10Lab: performance calculation with one engine inoperative
  1. 6.1Main gearbox
  2. 6.2Tail rotor drive
  3. 6.3Lubrication and dry running
  4. 6.4Hydraulic systems
  5. 6.5Electrical systems
  6. 6.6Fuel and fuel safety
  7. 6.7Anti-icing systems
  8. 6.8HUMS monitoring
  9. 6.9Systems reliability
  10. 6.10Practical: reliability analysis of a hydraulic system
  1. 7.1Avionics architecture
  2. 7.2Navigation and communications
  3. 7.3Autopilot
  4. 7.4Synthetic vision systems
  5. 7.5Terrain awareness warning systems
  6. 7.6Civil and state mission equipment
  7. 7.7Sensor integration
  8. 7.8DO-178C certifiable software
  9. 7.9DO-254 hardware
  10. 7.10Case study: avionics architecture of a SAR helicopter
  1. 8.1Sources of rotor vibration
  2. 8.2Dynamic response of the fuselage
  3. 8.3Ground resonance
  4. 8.4Aeroelastic instability
  5. 8.5Blade balancing and tracking
  6. 8.6Vibration absorbers
  7. 8.7Active vibration control
  8. 8.8Rotor noise
  9. 8.9Vibration testing
  10. 8.10Lab: ground resonance analysis
  1. 9.1Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
  2. 9.2CS-27 and CS-29 specifications
  3. 9.3Part 21 for design and production
  4. 9.4EMAR for military airworthiness
  5. 9.5Certification bases
  6. 9.6Acceptable means of compliance
  7. 9.7Certification flight testing
  8. 9.8Continuing airworthiness
  9. 9.9Part-145 and Part-CAMO
  10. 9.10Workshop: CS-29 compliance matrix
  1. 10.1Helicopter accident statistics
  2. 10.2Safety management systems
  3. 10.3Human factors and CRM
  4. 10.4HEMS and SAR operations
  5. 10.5Flight in degraded conditions
  6. 10.6Obstacle strike prevention
  7. 10.7Accident investigation
  8. 10.8Just culture
  9. 10.9International safety initiatives
  10. 10.10Case study: analysis of an accident report
  1. 11.1Maintenance programmes
  2. 11.2Life-limited components
  3. 11.3Condition-based maintenance
  4. 11.4HUMS and trend analysis
  5. 11.5Fleet management
  6. 11.6Operating cost per flight hour
  7. 11.7Obsolescence
  8. 11.8Upgrades
  9. 11.9Sustainability and fuels
  10. 11.10Practical: maintenance plan for a fleet
  1. 12.1Definition of the technical problem
  2. 12.2State-of-the-art review
  3. 12.3Requirements and certification bases
  4. 12.4Aerodynamic or structural analysis
  5. 12.5Simulation
  6. 12.6Safety analysis
  7. 12.7Verification plan
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

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 each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, Ansys Fluent, MATLAB/Simulink and Nastran, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for helicopter performance calculation, flight dynamics simulation and rotor vibration and aeroelasticity analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: CS-29, CS-27, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, ADS-33E-PRF, EMAR 21, RTCA DO-178C and Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (Part 21).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-29, CS-27 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, Ansys Fluent, MATLAB/Simulink and Nastran, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete rotorcraft engineering project covering requirements and certification bases, aerodynamic or structural analysis, simulation, safety analysis and a verification plan, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Rotor performance analysis
Calculate hover and one-engine-inoperative performance of a helicopter.
Flight dynamics model
Build a linearised flight dynamics model and assess handling qualities.
Vibration and fatigue
Analyse ground resonance and the fatigue of a dynamic component.
Certification compliance
Prepare a CS-29 compliance matrix and a verification plan.
Master's Thesis
Develop a complete rotorcraft engineering project, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Helicopter engineerRotor aerodynamics engineerCertification engineerFlight dynamics engineerAircraft maintenance engineerOperational safety engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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.

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FAQ

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 CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, Ansys Fluent, MATLAB/Simulink 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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