Design and Development of Aircraft Systems, 3rd Edition

12Key Characteristics of Aircraft Systems

12.1 Introduction

This chapter provides a simple description of typical aircraft and vehicle systems and will emphasise for each the key factors in the design that affect interfaces, integration, design drivers, and opportunities for modelling. This information will be provided in a table for each system and is intended as a guide for systems engineers. The reference row in the table refers to sources of further information at the end of the chapter. It should be noted that the field of publications is constantly being refreshed by new material or new editions. Students are encouraged to seek out further information as required. Table 12.1 provides a model for the way in which system characteristics will be presented.

Also provided is a description of a process that will enable students to ‘size’ a system approximately. This will be of use to students involved in project work that requires them to model aircraft projects in terms of mass, power requirement, and dissipation in order to trade‐off different designs. This will provide approximate, but sufficient, quantitative data to obtain a first‐order approximation of the impact of a system on the whole aircraft. More detailed information must be sought from suppliers of equipment. Since the aerospace industry supplier base is constantly changing through mergers and acquisitions, an internet or library search is recommended.

To help the reader understand the inter‐relationship between ...