2026
Instrumentation and Flight Testing
Name: Instrumentation and Flight Testing
Code: EME14843L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Engenharia Aeroespacial, Electrotechnical Engineering
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objective of this module is to transmit to the students fundamental concepts of metrology on its physical and instrumental aspects. The aim is to give knowledge about the operation of analog and digital instruments, as well as their conditions of use. Students must obtain skills in the use of automatic data acquisition systems and the use and implementation of experimental data processing algorithms. It is also intended to provide relevant knowledge about instrumentation systems and techniques used in flight tests: flight test concept; study of instrumentation systems for flight tests; analysis and application of flight test techniques.
Contents
Introduction to Metrology.
Uncertainty, errors, and law of propagation of uncertainty.
Basic instrumentation blocks.
Operational amplifiers. Instrumentation amplifiers.
Analog and digital instruments.
Measurements of electrical and non-electrical quantities.
Data acquisition systems and data analysis. Signal processing algorithms: DFT, FFT, Model adaptation.
Aircraft instrumentation. Flight test planning. Flight tests. Glide Speed and Distance. Take-off and Landing. Stall Speed. Longitudinal Stability. Lateral-Directional Stability.
Uncertainty, errors, and law of propagation of uncertainty.
Basic instrumentation blocks.
Operational amplifiers. Instrumentation amplifiers.
Analog and digital instruments.
Measurements of electrical and non-electrical quantities.
Data acquisition systems and data analysis. Signal processing algorithms: DFT, FFT, Model adaptation.
Aircraft instrumentation. Flight test planning. Flight tests. Glide Speed and Distance. Take-off and Landing. Stall Speed. Longitudinal Stability. Lateral-Directional Stability.
Teaching Methods
Classes are structured to include theoretical and laboratory classes. In theoretical classes, an interactive method is used along with slide presentations. Practical examples and problems are supplied for students to solve individually or in groups or with the help of the professor.
In laboratory classes, experiments will be developed involving analog instruments, digital instruments, data acquisition systems, and signal processing.
In laboratory classes, experiments will be developed involving analog instruments, digital instruments, data acquisition systems, and signal processing.
Assessment
Assessment elements are classified using the range [0,20].
The Assessment elements are as follows:
• [L] Laboratory Component - Minimum grade of 9.5 (50%)
• [F1] Test 1 - Minimum grade of 8.0 (25%)
• [F2] Test 2 - Minimum grade of 8.0 (25%)
• [Ex] Final exam (50%)
The student can choose 1 of 2 possible Assessment regimes, in which the Final Grade [NF] is calculated as follows:
i) CONTINUOUS EVALUATION: NF = (F1 + F2)/2 × 0.5 + L × 0.5
Approved if NF>= 9.5
Failed if NF < 9.5
ii) FINAL ASSESSMENT: NF = Ex × 0.5 + L × 0.5
Approved if NF>= 9.5
Failed if NF < 9.5
The Assessment elements are as follows:
• [L] Laboratory Component - Minimum grade of 9.5 (50%)
• [F1] Test 1 - Minimum grade of 8.0 (25%)
• [F2] Test 2 - Minimum grade of 8.0 (25%)
• [Ex] Final exam (50%)
The student can choose 1 of 2 possible Assessment regimes, in which the Final Grade [NF] is calculated as follows:
i) CONTINUOUS EVALUATION: NF = (F1 + F2)/2 × 0.5 + L × 0.5
Approved if NF>= 9.5
Failed if NF < 9.5
ii) FINAL ASSESSMENT: NF = Ex × 0.5 + L × 0.5
Approved if NF>= 9.5
Failed if NF < 9.5
Accreditations and Certifications
