CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENTA13023 Advanced Aircraft Control Systems
Advanced Aircraft Control Systems
All details in this unit profile for ENTA13023 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will learn advanced concepts of control systems engineering and their applications in avionics. You will be introduced to conceptual design of analog and digital control systems. You will investigate and validate different sensor types and their applicability in aircraft control systems. You will learn how to analyse aircraft control systems and represent them using standard control systems building blocks. You will also learn and practice to simulate aircraft control systems using industry standard software to validate the control concepts implemented.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites: Essential Mathematics for Control Systems AND Automatic Flight Control and Communication Systems

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 2 - 2025

Online
Rockhampton

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 40%

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.

Previous Student Feedback
Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the building blocks of aircraft control systems
  2. Analyse the function of sensors in an aircraft control system
  3. Examine analog and digital controller designs of dynamic controller systems
  4. Model and analyse the behaviour of dynamic systems and controllers using appropriate mathematical, graphical and computer-aided tools
  5. Model and analyse different aircraft control systems using simulation software
  6. Work collaboratively and autonomously and communicate professionally in presenting your solutions.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
4 - Take Home Exam - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
4 - Take Home Exam - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Access to a computer with Windows 10 with authority to install software required for the unit
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Diluka Moratuwage Unit Coordinator
d.moratuwage@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 14 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Introduction to Aircraft Control Systems

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 21 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Fundamentals of Dynamic Systems and Feedback

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 28 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Sensors and Actuators in Aircraft Systems

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 04 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Mathematical Modeling of Aircraft Dynamics

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1: Fundamentals of Aircraft Control Systems Due: Week 4 Friday (8 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 11 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Analog Control System Design

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 18 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 25 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Digital Control System Design

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Aircraft Control System Architectures

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2: Sensor Analysis and Controller Design Due: Week 7 Friday (5 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Modeling and Simulation using MATLAB/Simulink

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 15 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Case Study: Control Design for Aircraft Pitch, Roll, and Yaw

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 3: Simulation and Modelling of Aircraft Dynamics Due: Week 9 Friday (19 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 22 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Advanced Topics: Adaptive and Robust Control in Aircraft

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 06 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 4: Analysis of Advanced Aircraft Control Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 20 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 1: Fundamentals of Aircraft Control Systems

Task Description

This assessment evaluates your understanding of the fundamental building blocks of aircraft control systems. You will be required to analyze a given aircraft control scenario, identify key control elements, and provide a detailed conceptual explanation of how different components (e.g., actuators, sensors, controllers) interact within the loop.

 

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION

You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Friday (8 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • Clarity and completeness of system identification.
  • Accuracy in explaining roles of control system components. 
  • Use of block diagrams/flow charts to graphically represent and describe systems, and use of control theory terminology.
  • Professional presentation and technical writing quality.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A single PDF file, Software codes and video files need to be uploaded to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the building blocks of aircraft control systems


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 2: Sensor Analysis and Controller Design

Task Description

This task will assess your knowledge about sensors and controller design in dynamic aircraft systems. You will be given control scenarios involving sensor data, dynamic plant characteristics, and design constraints. You are expected to:

  • Analyse sensor functionality and limitations.
  • Design analog/digital controllers to meet system requirements.
  • Simulate basic response curves using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent. 

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION 

You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (5 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

  • Explanation and analysis of sensor types and applications.
  • Design and justification of analog/digital control systems.
  • Correct use of mathematical tools and simulation output.
  • Quality of documentation and technical presentation.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A single PDF file, Software codes and video files need to be uploaded to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse the function of sensors in an aircraft control system
  • Examine analog and digital controller designs of dynamic controller systems
  • Model and analyse the behaviour of dynamic systems and controllers using appropriate mathematical, graphical and computer-aided tools


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 3: Simulation and Modelling of Aircraft Dynamics

Task Description

This practical task involves modelling and simulating a representative aircraft control system. Students will:

  • Choose a control problem (e.g., pitch/yaw/roll dynamics),
  • Model the system in simulation software (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
  • Validate sensor-controller interactions.
  • Present results in a technical report with annotated simulation outputs. 

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION 

You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (19 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

  • Accuracy of control system modeling and assumptions.
  • Implementation of simulation including sensors and controllers.
  • Interpretation and discussion of simulation results.
  • Report structure, clarity, and technical documentation.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A single PDF file, Software codes and video files need to be uploaded to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse the function of sensors in an aircraft control system
  • Model and analyse the behaviour of dynamic systems and controllers using appropriate mathematical, graphical and computer-aided tools
  • Model and analyse different aircraft control systems using simulation software
  • Work collaboratively and autonomously and communicate professionally in presenting your solutions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

4 Take Home Exam

Assessment Title
Assignment 4: Analysis of Advanced Aircraft Control

Task Description

This take-home exam will test your comprehensive understanding of aircraft control system theory, controller design, and simulation interpretation. Questions will include:

  • Conceptual problems on control loop analysis.
  • Calculation-based controller design tasks.
  • System response analysis from simulated outputs. 

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION 

You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Correctness and clarity in problem-solving.
Demonstrated understanding of dynamic control concepts.
Application of controller design methods.
Professional formatting and clear explanation.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A single PDF file, Software codes and video files need to be uploaded to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the building blocks of aircraft control systems
  • Examine analog and digital controller designs of dynamic controller systems
  • Model and analyse different aircraft control systems using simulation software


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

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?