2003 - 2004 Aviation Studies Courses

Air Transportation focuses on the development of the aerospace industry with special emphasis on commercial air transportation-past, present, and future. The course also serves as an introduction to air transportation management, covering airline economics and marketing, as well as managing the commercial airliner fleet. An introduction to General Aviation will broaden the student's perspective of the aviation industry.

Covers the past, present, and future of aviation and highlights its key contributions to society. Differences and interrelationships among commercial, general, and military aviation are discussed with particular emphasis on how their development has affected our nation's political and economic structure.

Prepares the student to operate an aircraft professionally in the busy and often confusing environment of controlled airspace. It covers both communication and navigation procedures and techniques.

This course covers weather and climate with emphasis on aviation applications. Students study air masses; storms and general weather hazards; meteorological forecasting, mapping, and instrumentation; and worldwide climate typologies.

Covers the pilot and the aircraft as essential components in the safe conduct of flight. It features a case study approach in exploring aviation accidents and their causes, leading the student to an understanding of how such accidents can be prevented by thorough planning and safe flying practices.

Discussed are the theoretical and practical aspects of managing aviation organizations including personnel, economic, and other types of executive and operational decision-making. The course introduces the role and place of the fixed-base operator. It also broadens the student's understanding of corporate business and charter operations and management. Prerequisite: AVIA 101.

Examines the origins and development of the system of law and legal reasoning. Students will understand the evolution of administrative law with focus on the Federal Aviation Administration and how its regulations are enacted and enforced. Prerequisite: MATH 141.

A capstone course which discusses all aspects of aircraft performance, with special emphasis on the effects of aerodynamic forces on an aircraft in motion, and how these forces interact with control inputs from the pilot. Also discussed are problems of stability and control, high-speed flight, and helicopter aerodynamics. Students gain an appreciation for how aircraft are designed to optimize specific performance parameters; the final exam is a paper model airplane design and flight competition. Prerequisites: MATH 141, 142.

This is a general category for special topics courses, which are designed to broaden the knowledge of students interested in aviation.

The theoretical and practical aspects of managing an airport are discussed, including manpower, assets, monetary functions, and the full spectrum of airport operations.

Examines airline operations including domestic and international, passenger and cargo operations, and major air carrier and air taxi by focusing on the economic and regulatory changes that have shaped the development of the aviation industry. Also explored are management techniques for future survival and success. Prerequisite: AVIA 101.

Students receive credit for meeting pre-arranged learning objectives while working for a company or non-profit organization. Internships give students the opportunity to compare their understanding of classroom material with current best practices in their field. Credit is based on the number of hours at the job site, and the nature of the learning objectives. Monthly class sessions reinforce the student learning objectives, and allow interns to compare their experiences with other interns. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing (transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 Westminster credit hours); completion of the Career Center Internship Workshop; and approvals from the Gore School of Business Practice Experience Coordinator and the Career Center Internship Coordinator.

The Disciplinary Practicum is a student team-based, company consultant project. The project addresses a real issue of concern to a client company (or non-profit organization), requires extensive research, and results in a formal oral presentation and written report to the company. Students work in teams of 3-6 students under the supervision of a Gore School of Business faculty member. Prerequisite: MGMT 305; MATH 150; junior or senior standing.

The Professional Portfolio is designed for mid-career professionals. The class gives students the opportunity to assess their interests and skills, design a career plan, and create a portfolio, which documents what they have to offer to an organization in an appropriate field. Students must have at least five years of professional or managerial experience to enroll in this class. Prerequisites: MGMT 305; junior or senior standing and approval of the Gore School of Business Experience/Practice Coordinator.

Federal Aviation Courses

The student will gain the knowledge to build the framework for a career in aviation and obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience to acquire a Private Pilot certificate under FAR Part 141. AVFL 110 must be completed with AVFL 100. FAA Class II medical exam is required prior to registering for flight labs.

The student will gain the knowledge to build the framework for a career in aviation and obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience to acquire an Instrument Rating under FAR Part 141. Prerequisite: AVFL 100 or permission, FAA Class II medical exam.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements of a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an airplane category rating and a single-engine class rating. Prerequisite: AVFL 100. FAA Class II medical exam is required prior to registering for flight labs.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements of a Multi-Engine Certificate and multi-engine class rating.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skills and aeronautical experience necessary to understand and perform basic aerobatic maneuvers and upset/unusual altitude maneuvers to proficiency. Prerequisite: AVFL 310.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skills, and aeronautical experience necessary to operate aircraft safely at high altitude airports and around high terrain. Prerequisite: AVFL 110.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skill and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements of a Flight Instructor Certificate with an airplane category rating and a single-engine class rating.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements of an Instrument Flight Instructor Certificate.

The student will obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements of a Multi-Engine Flight Instructor Certificate.

Students who wish to continue flight training during May Term and summer without registering for formal ground schools or flight labs must register for AVFL 499. This zero (0) credit flight lab is restricted to continuing students who are completing flight requirements for specific FAA courses.

Federal Aviation Administration Courses

The Federal Aviation courses listed here are offered on a demand basis as part of the curriculum of the Aviation Studies Program. Students are advised to contact the Chief Flight Instructor for details. FAA Class II medical exam is required prior to registering for flight labs.