CPD Course on

Principles of Rotorcraft Propulsion

SYNOPSIS

Medium to large helicopters are powered exclusively by gas turbine engines called turboshaft. These engines are tuned for the delivery of torque. The shift from internal combustion engines to gas turbines has had a major impact on the industry and has made the helicopter the versatile vehicle we know today. The evolution of the  technology toward more powerful and compact engines has been extraordinary.  Electrical propulsion, will only change the industry at the lower end of weight, power and operations.

AUDIENCE 

This course is for those who want to learn about a field of rotorcraft engineering seldom given the appropriate importance. It is recommended to post-graduate students entering the complex field of rotorcraft, engineers and  researchers from industry who have an incomplete view of the whole machine, and then regulators who are looking at present and future regulations on anything from engines to transmission architectures.

Syllabus 

Principles of Rotorcraft Propulsion

Part I: Rotorcraft Power Plants and Drive Trains

  1. Rotorcraft power plants – Historical context
  2. Rotorcraft propulsion: gas turbines and Internal Combustion (IC) engines
  3. Modern turboshaft architecture
  4. Internal Combustion engines
  5. Multi-engine rotorcraft
  6. Engine operational environment
  7. Ancillary systems: lubrication, FADEC, APU
  8. Transmission and power trains
  9. Gearboxes 
  10. Multi-engine drivetrain
  11. Tip Jets propulsion

Part II: Elements of Turboshaft Performance

  1. Turboshaft specifications and ratings
  2. Installed versus un-installed power output
  3. Engine certification process
  4. Engine applications and derivatives
  5. Operational performance
  6. Turboshaft engine models and computer programs
  7. Turboshaft engine emissions
  8. Installation effects           
  9. Case study: OEI operation with a three-engine helicopter
  10. Power losses and deterioration (engine ageing)
  11. Basics of airframe-engine integration 

Part III: Inlets and Exhausts

  1. General assessment of inlets and exhausts
  2. Inlet design guidelines
  3. Exhausts: Infra-red suppression devices
  4. Engine integration and losses
  5. Direct Operating Costs (DOC)

Part IV: Intake Protection Systems

  1. Intake protection systems (EAPS)
  2. Efficiency versus power losses
  3. Dust dynamics 
  4. Test dust and chemical composition
  5. Engine damage assessment
  6. Examples of engine damage
  7. Estimates of engine integration losses

Part V: Propulsion Noise

  1. Gearbox and transmission noise (cabin, external)
  2. Engine noise
  3. Combustion noise
  4. Core noise
  5. Tip jet noise

Part VI: Hybrid Propulsion

  1. Novel rotorcraft configurations
  2. Fully electric distributed propulsion
  3. Case studies 
  4. Battery deterioration effects
  5. Electric tail rotors of conventional rotorcraft

 

What is included:

  • Booking: see ERF 2026 website (Amsterdam, Eye Filmmuseum, 1-4 September 2026)
  • Lecture Notes for own non-commercial use
  • Video recordings, available for 30 days
  • Email support for 30 days, bibliographic research, technical questions (no industrial work included)
  • Discounted attendance with ERF.
  • Catering for the day of attendance.

Booking Fees

  • Euro 250 + ERF attendance (booked at ERF website)
  • Euro 400, without ERF attendance (must be booked directly, please ask for booking form)
  • Euro 250, online only attendance   (must be booked directly, please ask for booking form)

Booking Conditions

  • No booking via anomymous intermediaries
  • No anonymous delegates. 
  • Institutional contact must be made available.

 

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.