Aircraft Performance Analysis Tool ✈️

Author: Abu Sayed Mahin | Course: BEng Aerospace Engineering (Year 1) | University: UWE Bristol

📌 Project Overview

This technical project demonstrates my aerospace engineering capabilities through computational aircraft performance analysis. The tool simulates and visualizes key performance characteristics across multiple aircraft configurations, showcasing my proficiency in:

• Aerodynamic analysis (drag polar estimation, lift-drag relationships)
• Propulsion-performance integration (thrust/power requirements)
• Atmospheric modeling (ISA standard atmosphere up to 15,000m)
• Technical MATLAB programming & data visualization

This MATLAB-based tool analyzes aircraft performance for multiple aircraft configurations under various altitudes and flight conditions. It generates:

• Thrust required & power required curves
• Drag polar curves
• Take-off distance and climb performance estimates

This v2.0 release introduces multi-aircraft comparison and high-altitude extension.

🎯 Why This Project?

This work demonstrates competencies highly valued in aerospace internships and placements:

Competency	Demonstrated Through
Analytical Thinking	Multi-aircraft performance comparison methodology
Technical Coding	Structured MATLAB workflow with modular functions
Aerodynamics Knowledge	Drag polar analysis, lift-drag relationships
Propulsion Understanding	Thrust/power required calculations
Professional Communication	Portfolio-ready technical figures & documentation
Initiative	Extended project beyond coursework to 15,000m altitude

🛠️ Technical Features

Current Capabilities (v2.0)

Feature	Technical Implementation	Status
Multi-Aircraft Comparison	Simultaneous analysis of up to 4 aircraft configurations	✅
Drag Polar Analysis	C_D = C_D0 + K·C_L² with aircraft-specific parameters	✅
Altitude Effects	ISA atmosphere model (0-15,000m)	✅
Performance Curves	Thrust/Power required vs velocity	✅
Take-off Analysis	Distance estimation based on thrust-to-weight	✅
Climb Performance	Rate of climb calculations	✅

Technical Parameters Analyzed:

• Thrust Required - Overcoming drag at various speeds/altitudes
• Power Required - Energy requirements for sustained flight
• Drag Polar - Aerodynamic efficiency across configurations
• Take-off Distance - Ground roll estimation
• Climb Gradient - Initial climb capability

📊 Sample Output

All figures are automatically generated in the figures/ directory:

Figure	Description
aircraft_performance_multi_aircraft.png	Thrust/Power curves (4 aircraft, 3 altitudes each)
drag_polar_multi.png	Drag polar comparison showing aerodynamic efficiency
takeoff_climb_performance.png	Take-off distances & climb rates

Example figures demonstrate professional-standard technical communication - essential for placement applications.

🚀 Quick Start

git clone https://github.com/AbuSayedMahin/aircraft-performance-tool.git
cd aircraft-performance-tool/src

Then in MATLAB:

>> main  # Runs complete analysis suite

Required files (all in /src):

• main.m - Master script
• lift_drag.m - Aerodynamic calculations
• thrust_required.m - Performance computations
• isa_atmosphere.m - Atmospheric modeling

📈 Future Development

• Full take-off field length (including balanced field length)
• Climb trajectory simulation (time/ fuel to altitude)
• Payload-range diagrams for mission analysis
• Constraint analysis for initial aircraft sizing
• Non-standard atmospheres (hot day, cold day conditions)

💡 Skills Demonstrated

Technical Skills	Professional Skills
MATLAB proficiency	Project management
Aerodynamic analysis	Technical documentation
Performance calculations	Independent learning
Data visualization	Problem-solving
Engineering mathematics	Attention to detail

📬 Contact

I'm actively seeking 2026/2027 aerospace engineering placements and welcome discussions about potential opportunities.

Abu Sayed Mahin - BEng Aerospace Engineering (Year 1) - UWE Bristol

• 📧 Academic: abu2.mahin@live.uwe.ac.uk
• 📧 Personal: sayedmahin37@gmail.com
• 🔗 LinkedIn: Abu Sayed Mahin
• 💻 GitHub: @AbuSayedMahin

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This project demonstrates my readiness for an industrial placement by combining technical aerospace knowledge with professional software development practices. All code and documentation are maintained to industry standards.