Apply now
Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in Rotorcraft Aeromechanics

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in rotorcraft aeromechanics. 12 modules covering rotor aerodynamics, blade dynamics, flight controls, performance, loads, noise and certification to CS-29, CS-27 and ADS-33E-PRF, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration12–14 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
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

Explain the physical principles of rotor flight.

02

Apply blade element theory and wake models.

03

Analyse blade flap, lag and torsion dynamics.

04

Calculate aircraft performance in hover and forward flight.

05

Estimate loads on the rotor and its associated structure.

06

Compare tail rotor and alternative configurations.

07

Integrate certification requirements into rotorcraft design.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Rotor aeromechanics engineers looking to deepen their specialist knowledge.
  • Helicopter performance engineers.
  • Flight control engineers working on rotary-wing aircraft.
  • Loads and structures engineers moving into rotor components.
  • Rotorcraft certification engineers.
  • Engineers designing advanced configurations such as coaxial, tiltrotor or eVTOL.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the helicopter industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-29 (large rotorcraft)
  • CS-27 (small rotorcraft)
  • ADS-33E-PRF (helicopter handling qualities)
  • 14 CFR Part 29 (FAA, transport category rotorcraft)
  • AC 29-2C (certification guide for transport category rotorcraft)
  • ICAO Annex 16, Volume I (aircraft noise)
  • CAMRAD II
  • FLIGHTLAB
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Dymore
  • ANSYS Mechanical
Syllabus

12 modules

  1. 1.1The rotor as a generator of lift and control
  2. 1.2Axial flight and momentum theory
  3. 1.3Wake and induced velocity
  4. 1.4Figure of merit and efficiency
  5. 1.5Forward flight and lift asymmetry
  6. 1.6Flapping and its role
  7. 1.7Autorotation
  8. 1.8Non-dimensional quantities
  9. 1.9Physical limitations of the rotor
  10. 1.10Workshop: preliminary performance calculation
  1. 2.1Aerofoils for rotors
  2. 2.2Compressibility at the blade tip
  3. 2.3Retreating blade stall
  4. 2.4Blade twist and taper
  5. 2.5Blade tip and its geometry
  6. 2.6Blade-vortex interaction
  7. 2.7Ground effect
  8. 2.8Reference experimental data
  9. 2.9Dynamic stall models
  10. 2.10Practical: aerodynamic design of a blade
  1. 3.1Blade element formulation
  2. 3.2Coupling with momentum theory
  3. 3.3Inflow models
  4. 3.4Prescribed and free wake
  5. 3.5Vortex methods
  6. 3.6Comparison between methods
  7. 3.7Computational cost
  8. 3.8Validation against tests
  9. 3.9Limits of each model
  10. 3.10Practical: implementation of a blade model
  1. 4.1Blade degrees of freedom
  2. 4.2Flap and lag equations
  3. 4.3Southwell diagram
  4. 4.4Articulated and bearingless rotors
  5. 4.5Lag damping
  6. 4.6Ground and air resonance
  7. 4.7Aeroelastic couplings
  8. 4.8Rotor stability
  9. 4.9Simulation models
  10. 4.10Practical: dynamic analysis of a rotor
  1. 5.1Swashplate and its kinematics
  2. 5.2Collective and cyclic pitch
  3. 5.3Control mixing unit
  4. 5.4Control phasing and phase lag
  5. 5.5Servos and powered controls
  6. 5.6Stability augmentation systems
  7. 5.7Rotor response to control inputs
  8. 5.8Inter-axis couplings
  9. 5.9Cockpit ergonomics
  10. 5.10Practical: kinematics of the control system
  1. 6.1Power required in each flight regime
  2. 6.2Power and endurance curves
  3. 6.3Hover and forward-flight ceiling
  4. 6.4Maximum speed and its limits
  5. 6.5Effect of weight and altitude
  6. 6.6Height-velocity diagram
  7. 6.7Fuel consumption and range
  8. 6.8One-engine-inoperative performance
  9. 6.9Performance documentation
  10. 6.10Practical: performance calculation for an aircraft
  1. 7.1Aerodynamic loads on the blade
  2. 7.2Manoeuvre and gust loads
  3. 7.3In-service load spectrum
  4. 7.4Fatigue of dynamic components
  5. 7.5Safe-life and damage tolerance concepts
  6. 7.6Composite materials in blades
  7. 7.7Rotor head and its components
  8. 7.8Structural testing
  9. 7.9In-service inspections
  10. 7.10Practical: simplified load spectrum
  1. 8.1Function of the anti-torque rotor
  2. 8.2Conventional and ducted tail rotors
  3. 8.3Configurations without a tail rotor
  4. 8.4Coaxial rotors
  5. 8.5Tandem rotors
  6. 8.6Convertible and tiltrotor aircraft
  7. 8.7Comparison of configurations
  8. 8.8Interference effects
  9. 8.9Selection criteria
  10. 8.10Practical: reasoned comparison of configurations
  1. 9.1Rotor noise sources
  2. 9.2Impulsive and wake noise
  3. 9.3Noise regulations
  4. 9.4Noise measurement in certification
  5. 9.5Characteristic rotor vibration
  6. 9.6Blade balancing and tracking
  7. 9.7Absorbers and isolation
  8. 9.8Passenger comfort
  9. 9.9Noise reduction by design
  10. 9.10Practical: acoustic assessment of a rotor
  1. 10.1Flight simulation models
  2. 10.2Validation with flight data
  3. 10.3Wind tunnel and scale models
  4. 10.4Rotor test rigs
  5. 10.5Blade instrumentation
  6. 10.6Telemetry and data acquisition
  7. 10.7Flight testing and its safety
  8. 10.8Data analysis
  9. 10.9Test report
  10. 10.10Practical: validation plan for a model
  1. 11.1Applicable certification requirements
  2. 11.2Demonstration of compliance
  3. 11.3System safety analysis
  4. 11.4Autorotation and requirements
  5. 11.5Critical failures and their mitigation
  6. 11.6Certification documentation
  7. 11.7Continuing airworthiness
  8. 11.8In-service occurrences and their analysis
  9. 11.9Relationship with the authority
  10. 11.10Practical: compliance matrix for a requirement
  1. 12.1Rotor design trade-offs
  2. 12.2Interaction with fuselage and transmission
  3. 12.3Multidisciplinary optimisation
  4. 12.4Conceptual design tools
  5. 12.5Programme management
  6. 12.6Costs and schedules
  7. 12.7Innovation: electric rotors and urban air mobility
  8. 12.8Common design errors
  9. 12.9Documented real cases
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: aeromechanical preliminary design of a rotor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, MATLAB/Simulink, Dymore and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for wind tunnel testing with scale-model rotors, performance flight testing and rotary-wing flight simulators. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: CS-29, CS-27, ADS-33E-PRF, 14 CFR Part 29, AC 29-2C and ICAO Annex 16, Volume I.

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 ADS-33E-PRF applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, MATLAB/Simulink, Dymore and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:an aeromechanical preliminary design of a rotor, 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.

Preliminary performance calculation
Estimate hover and forward-flight performance of a rotor from first principles.
Blade aerodynamic design
Define aerofoils, twist, taper and tip geometry for a rotor blade.
Rotor dynamic analysis
Analyse flap and lag dynamics and check ground and air resonance margins.
Model validation plan
Plan how a simulation model will be validated against wind tunnel and flight test data.
Master's Thesis
Produce an aeromechanical preliminary design of a rotor, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Rotor aeromechanics engineerHelicopter performance engineerFlight control engineerLoads and structures engineerRotorcraft certification engineerAdvanced configuration design 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's 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.

Apply now Scholarships
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 will work with CAMRAD II, FLIGHTLAB, MATLAB/Simulink, Dymore and ANSYS Mechanical. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where 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's 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.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's9,970 $

Master’s in Space Debris & Space Traffic Management Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in space debris management and space traffic management engineering: 12 modules covering the debris environment and its modelling, space surveillance,…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's8,850 $

Master’s in Autopilot Architecture and GNC Engineering for UAS

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in UAS autopilot architecture and GNC engineering: 12 modules covering flight dynamics, PX4 and ArduPilot architecture, state estimation, control, guidance,…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's9,970 $

Master’s in Astrodynamics and Orbit Design Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in astrodynamics and orbit design engineering, structured in 12 modules covering classical orbital mechanics, perturbations, manoeuvres, Earth observation and GEO…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master’s in Rotorcraft AeromechanicsEnrol
Related programmes

More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space

Master’s in Cabin Systems, ECS and Pressurisation EngineeringView programme →Master’s in UAS / Drone Engineering (Platform, Missions, Payloads)View programme →Master’s in Rendezvous, Proximity Ops & Docking EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Satellite AIT EngineeringView programme →Power Quality Engineering and Active Filters: Harmonics, Flicker and StandardsView programme →Master’s in DO-178C/ARP4754A & ARP4761 EngineeringView programme →

All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.