Overview
Aircraft require an array of mechanical, structural, and electrical components to ensure safe, comfortable, and efficient transport of passengers and goods across the world. In this unit, will you will learn the fundamental physics concepts that govern aircraft design and performance. You will study the laws of motion and the concepts of momentum and energy conversion to develop your knowledge of the various power sources used by aircraft and how these power sources propel aircraft forward. You will learn about fluid dynamics and gravitational forces to help understand the lift and aerodynamics of aircraft. You will learn about electrical circuits and wave propagation, which are the basic concepts behind numerous aircraft systems from autopilot to navigation systems to communication systems to inflight entertainment systems. Finally, you will combine your knowledge of these concepts to perform calculations relevant to flight planning, performance, and loading of aircraft.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator observation and based on tutorial participation.
The student would benefit from more practice applying concepts to problems and visualising abstract processes.
More guided, tutorial‑style practice and expanded use of animations and interactive simulations should be provided.
- Perform calculations relevant to flight aerodynamics
- Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
- Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
- Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.
In this unit, you will learn to use an E6B or CR3 calculator as necessary for flight-related calculations.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Conceptual Physics
- 13th Global Edition (2022)
- Authors: Paul G Hewitt
- Pearson Education Limited
- Harlow, Essex CM20 Harlow, Essex CM20 , England
- ISBN: 9781292437330
- Binding: Paperback
Flight Physics : Essentials of Aeronautical Disciplines and Technology, with Historical Notes
- (2009)
- Authors: E. Torenbeek and H. Wittenberg
- Springer Netherlands
- ISBN: 9781402086649
- Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.nabi@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Unit introduction. History of aviation. Motion and Newton's first law.
Chapter
Flight Physics, Chapter 1.
Conceptual Physics, Chapters: 1, 2.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Discipline Coordinator from the Math and Science Team Introduction.
Tutorial: History of Aviation. Motion and Newton's first law.
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Linear motion. Newton's second and third laws of motion. How Newton's second law is applied to an aeroplane.
Chapter
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 3, 4, and 5.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Newton's second and third laws of motion.
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
The principles of momentum, energy, and work. Energy in a flying aeroplane.
Chapter
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 6–7.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: The Principles of momentum, energy, and work.
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
How does an aeroplane fly?
Pressure in a fluid. Archimedes Principle. Bernoulli's Principle.
Chapter
Flight Physics, Chapter 2.
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 13–14.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Pressure in a liquid. Archimedes principle. Bernoulli's principle.
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Forces act on an aeroplane. Lift, drag, weight, and thrust.
Chapter
Flight Physics, Chapters 2–4.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Lift, drag, weight, and thrust.
Assessment 1 (Quiz 1) Due: Week 5 Thursday (10 April 2025) 3:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Non-teaching week. Opportunity for students to consolidate their reading.
Chapter
It is your opportunity to practice the content of Week 1 through Week 5.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None.
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Waves and sound. Radio waves for flight communication.
Chapter
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 19–20.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Waves and sound.
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Basic principles of electricity. What is the difference between AC and DC? Introduction to aircraft electrical system components.
Chapter
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 22–23.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Basic principles of electricity.
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
Aircraft engines and propulsion, aeroplane performance.
Chapter
Flight Physics, Chapters 5–6.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Aircraft engines and propulsion, aeroplane performance.
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
Use of a flight manual computer to determine flight time, speed, distance, fuel consumption, and unit-related conversion problems.
Chapter
Lecture notes. Additional materials will be available in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Use of a flight manual computer to determine flight time, speed, distance, fuel consumption, and unit-related conversion problems.
Assessment 2 Due: Week 9 Thursday (15 May 2025) 3:00 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
Principles of light, reflection, and refraction.
Chapter
Conceptual Physics, Chapters 26, 27, and 28.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Principles of light, reflection, and refraction.
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
Discussion on different mathematics-related examples.
Chapter
Content from week 1 to week 10.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial: Practice on different mathematics-related problems.
Assessment 1 (Quiz 2) Due: Week 11 Thursday (29 May 2025) 3:00 pm AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Revision of the content of AVAT11005
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
Discussion on ONLINE TEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025Module/Topic
No Tasks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please note that instead of an examination, there is an online test in this unit. For this test, you do not need to come to the examination hall. You can take this test where a steady, uninterrupted internet connection, a video camera with your computer, and a scanner are available. The guidelines for the online test will be available in Moodle. The online test assessed all four learning outcomes. This online test covers topics from weeks 1 to 11 and consists of a mix of short and descriptive answer questions and some calculations. This test will be held during the university examination period. The exact date and time will be notified in weeks 9–10. Further details for the ONLINE TEST are available in the task description.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
The online quizzes (individual assessments) consist of two parts. Part 1 (the first quiz) will be conducted in Week 5, and Part 2 (the second quiz) will be conducted in Week 11. Only one attempt is allowed for each quiz.
The first quiz, which will be conducted in Week 5, covers the lectures and tutorials from Weeks 1 to 4, while the second quiz, which will be conducted in Week 11, covers the content from Weeks 5 to 9. The first quiz will be available on Moodle from 12:00 pm AEST on Tuesday of Week 5 until 3:00 pm AEST on Thursday of Week 5. The second quiz will be available on Moodle from 12:00 pm AEST on Tuesday of Week 11 until 3:00 pm AEST on Thursday of Week 11.
Both quizzes must be completed within the given timeframe. Each quiz will consist of 20 questions, including a combination of multiple-choice, true/false, fill-up the blanks, calculations, etc. Students will be given 30 minutes for each quiz to answer the questions. The quizzes will automatically be submitted after 30 minutes. Each question carries equal marks. Questions will be drawn from a pool of question banks. Twenty questions will be randomly selected from a question bank for each quiz attempt. Your responsibility is to ensure that you use a reliable and uninterrupted internet connection for these quizzes. You can attempt the quizzes at any location, provided you have uninterrupted access to the Moodle website. Attempt all questions, as there are no negative marks for incorrect answers.
2
Other
Please refer to task description
Students will be able to see the marks upon completion of their quiz attempt
The quiz questions are equal weighting and there are no negative marks associated with incorrect answers. Therefore, students are encouraged to attempt all questions within the quiz.
- Perform calculations relevant to flight aerodynamics
- Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
- Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
- Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.
2 Written Assessment
This is an individual assessment accessible via the unit Moodle site. It consists of several questions designed to test students' basic understanding of physics, including flight physics concepts. It comprises questions covering topics from Week 1 to Week 8. Students are required to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
The questions will be available on Moodle on Friday of Week 4. A marking rubric will be provided for each question in Moodle. This assessment is an important activity to evaluate and enhance students' comprehension. Students should upload their answers to Moodle as a single PDF file within the allocated time period. Further specific details related to this assessment will be published on the unit Moodle.
Students should study the questions carefully, consult the provided lecture, tutorial, and Moodle materials, and conduct research using textbooks, journal articles, and online resources. Students should use appropriate tools for drawings and equations. There is no specific word count for answering each question. Students are strongly advised to thoroughly review the related materials before attempting the assessment. A submission link will be available on Moodle, where students can submit the assessment on or before the deadline. Email submissions will not be accepted. The minimum mark to pass this assessment is 50%. Also, the overall minimum mark to pass this unit (AVAT11005) is 50%.
Late submissions and unacceptable similarity scores will be handled according to CQUniversity policy. Students are advised to refer to the policy for details.
Week 9 Thursday (15 May 2025) 3:00 pm AEST
Individual submission
Week 11 Thursday (29 May 2025)
Marks and comments will be uploaded in Moodle
Each question in the assessment will be assessed separately against some criteria (the detailed criteria will be available in Moodle on Monday of Week 4). Some of the key criteria are as follows:
- Proper formatting and structuring.
- Have neat, legible, and tidy work and presentation.
- Evidence of understanding, correct workings, answers, and solutions to questions.
- Accuracy and correct results, correct use of terminology (scientific language), and conventions.
- The correct referencing style is used where necessary.
- On-time submission.
- Prepare answers while respecting the contributions of others by providing appropriate referencing and citations.
- If answering questions requires drawing diagrams and/or writing equations, students should use appropriate tools to have quality diagrams and/or equations.
- Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
- Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
- Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.
3 Online Test
The online test will be held on the same date and at the same time. You can sit for this test at a location with an uninterrupted Internet connection, a video camera, a scanner, and a flight computer (E6B). The minimum mark to pass this assessment is 50%. Also, the overall minimum mark to pass this unit (AVAT11005) is 50%. The guidelines for the online test will be available in Moodle. The online test assessed all four learning outcomes. The test covers topics from weeks 1 to 11 and consists of a mix of short and descriptive answer questions and calculations.
The online test will be held during the university examination period. The exact date and time will be available between Weeks 9 and 10. The test has a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Students will be provided with an additional 45 minutes to scan and upload the answers to the Moodle submission link. The submission link will become inactive after the total allotted time (after 3:15 hours from the starting time), and you will be unable to upload or submit your answers via the submission link. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to submit the answers after the allotted time, and submission via email is not acceptable. Please note that this is a closed-book test. Students are not allowed to use textbooks, hand notes, and online resources, but can use a flight computer (physical, not online) and a calculator. However, mathematics-related equations will be provided at the end of the questions.
All handwritten answers must be uploaded to the relevant submission portal in Moodle in PDF or JPEG format. You may use a scanner or take clear photos with your phone to upload your answers, provided the quality of the images is acceptable. Below is a list of recommended camera scanning apps suitable for this purpose. Be sure to download your chosen app before the exam to ensure a smooth scanning process.
- Adobe Scan (DC) https://adobescan.app.link/d/1n1NntFHTkb
- Microsoft Lens https://apps.apple.com/au/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059
- SwiftScan https://swiftscan.app/en/index.html
- CamScanner https://www.camscanner.com/
- ClearScan https://clearscanapp.com/
Marks will be disclosed on the certification of grade day.
This is an online test. All instructions and criteria will be available in your online test questions. There will be short and broad questions and some calculations. You have to answer all questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. You will need to scan and upload your answers to the MOODLE submission link. For this, you will be given an extra 15 minutes. Also, please take a look at the task description. A sample of previous online test questions will be available in Moodle.
- Perform calculations relevant to flight aerodynamics
- Use Newton's Laws to explain motion and conservation of energy and momentum in flight
- Explain DC and AC circuits in an aircraft systems context
- Describe the propagation of radio waves in an aircraft navigation context.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
