Aviation Science Courses
AER 102 (3-0-3)
Aviation History
This course provides a general description of the entire field of aviation starting
with the early achievements of flight and progressing through the various milestones
to the present age. This course contains an overview of the governmental involvement
with the aviation industry from establishing the postal routes, safety regulation,
airline subsidies, through deregulation of the airline industry. This course includes
the contributions to aviation by women, minorities and other cultures. The introduction
and development of power flight, from Zeppelins, Flying Boats, through the Boeing
777, and the X-30 Oriental Express and beyond is also explored. An extended field
trip will be made to either the Curtis Air Museum in Hammondsport, N.Y. or the Rhinebeck
Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, N.Y., to see aircraft from the early years of flight.
Fall only
AER 120 (2-0-2)
Solo Operations
This course provides a student with the fundamental concepts necessary to successfully
complete an FAA Pre-solo Written Exam. Subject areas in this course include the following:
theory of flight, basic aircraft systems, aerodynamics principles, communications,
airspace, local weather theory and printed reports, publications, regulations and
basic emergency procedures as prescribed by CFR 14 Part 61.87(b).
PR: Students must be eligible to enroll in ENG 123 and a 100-level Math course
AER 125 (0-3-.335)
Solo Flight Laboratory
This course provides a student with the practical flight experience in a single engine
aircraft to obtain a solo flight endorsement for an aircraft, single engine land.
The primary flight training includes dual instruction in order for a student to complete
their first solo takeoff and landings. Such training meets or exceeds the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen certification standards in such tasks as basic
flight maneuvers, takeoff and landings, emergency procedures and communications as
prescribed in CFR 14 Part 61.87(d). To enroll in the course, a student must already
have the FAA Third Class Medical Certificate and meet Homeland Security Administration
Background Requirements.
PR: Students must be eligible for ENG 123 and 100-level Math course.
PR/CR: AER 120
Lab fee required
AER 130 (2-0-2)
Navigation Operations
This course provides a student with the fundamental concepts necessary to successfully
complete the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Exam. Subject areas in this course include
the following: Single-engine land airplane, operation/systems/performance, navigation,
flight computer computations, publications, regulations and basic emergency procedures.
PR: Students must be eligible for ENG 123 and 100-level Math course.
PR/CR: AER 120
AER 135 (1-3-.665)
Navigation Flight Laboratory
This course provides a student with the practical flight experience in a single engine
aircraft to obtain a solo cross-country flight endorsement for an aircraft, single
engine land. The primary flight training includes dual and solo instruction in order
for a student to complete their solo cross-country requirement and practical test
requirements to obtain a Private Pilot’s Certificate. Such training meets or exceeds
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airmen Certification Standards in such additional
tasks as short and soft takeoff and landing, night flying, cross-country navigation
procedures and emergency procedures. Prior completion of the FAA Knowledge Exam is
required for this certification. To enroll in the course, a student must already have
the FAA Third Class Medical Certificate and meet Homeland Security Administration
Background Requirements.
PR: AER 120 – Solo Operations; AER 125 -Solo Operations Laboratory; Students must
be eligible for ENG 123 and 100-level Math course.
CR: AER 130
Lab fee required
AER 140 (4-0-4)
Elements of Instrument
This course is a study of the instrument flying techniques and procedures in conjunction
with modern, ILS, VOR, ADF, GPS and radar facilities. The course includes the study
of basic attitude instrument flying, instrument navigation procedures, holding, precision
and non-precision departure, en route and arrival procedures, macro and micro-meteorology
analysis, aircraft performance and decision making strategies for the instrument flight
environment. Students are provided with the information necessary to complete the
FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam, although not a requirement for course completion.
Students should be aware that achieving a 70% or higher on the FAA Knowledge Exam
is required in order to achieve an FAA Instrument Rating.
PR: AER 120, AER 130; or a Private Pilot’s License
AER 141 (0-3-1)
Elements of Instrument Flight Lab
This course provides a student with the practical flight experience in a single engine
aircraft and an approved flight training device to acquire flight time necessary toward
an Instrument Rating, Aircraft, SEL. The primary instrument flight training includes
dual flight time to meet the FAA airmen certification standards in such training as
attitude instrument flying, departure, en route and approach procedures in the instrument
flight environment, navigation systems, holding and emergency operations, instrument
night flying and cross-country procedures. Minimum FAA flight training hours apply
and students will, in most cases, exceed those minimum hours in order to meet airmen
certification standards. Completion of the FAA knowledge exam is required for this
certificate. FAA Second Class Medical Certificate (required), FAA First Class Medical
Certificate (recommended); proof of US citizenship or of the US Office of Homeland
Security, Terminal Security Administration background check requirements.
PR: AER 120, AER 125, AER 130, AER 135, or equivalent Private Pilot’s License
CR: AER 140 Elements of Instrument
Lab fee required
AER 150 (3-0-3)
Airport Operations, Safety and Security
This course familiarizes students with the fundamental components of a typical commercial
airport and its multi-level security requirements. In addition to a commercial airport’s
various support functions, the organizational structure, governing FAA regulations,
inter-agency relationships and management challenges are examined. Security issues
are presented in a post 9/11 environment to include scenario-based discussions and
problem-solving situations.
Fall only
AER 200 (3-0-3)
Commercial Operations
This course is a study of the required knowledge for a Commercial Pilot’s license.
Subjects covered in this course include: advanced aerodynamics, advanced aircraft
systems, physiology, emergency procedures and planning, flight safety, and aeronautical
decision making. There is a focus on crew resource management and flight safety operations
to include Part 91 and Part 135 regulations and operations. Students will receive
an instructor endorsement for the Commercial Pilot Knowledge Exam at the completion
of the course requirements for an airplane-SEL.
PR: AER 120, AER 130
Fall only
AER 210 (3-0-3)
Aviation Law
This course covers the history of aviation law, federal regulation of air transportation
with special attention to ecological aspects of aircraft noise and pollutants and
the role of state and federal government in aviation law, including functions of the
Federal Aviation Administration and the Terminal Security Administration.
PR: PR: AER 120, AER 130, or permission of the department
Spring only
AER 214 (3-0-3)
Physiology of Flight
In this course students will study the physical effects of flight on the human body
including a discussion of the following: cockpit resource management, effects of high
altitude flight, G-forces, alcohol and drugs, including OTC and illicit, IMSAFE requirement
of every pilot for the safety of themselves as well as other persons, passengers and
property, and FAR Part 37 Medical disqualifications.
PR: AER 120, AER 130, or permission of the department
Spring only
AER 228 (0-3-1)
Commercial Operations Lab I
This course provides a student with practical flight experience in a single-engine
aircraft toward the FAA cross-country requirement to obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate.
This course alone will not complete all requirements for the commercial certificate.
Students will gain flight experience in day and night cross-country both dual and
solo. Concepts in risk management will be reinforced, as well as the function and
practical use of standard operating procedures (SOP), minimum equipment lists (MEL),
and commercial flight operations (Part 135 and Part 91) scenarios. Additional subject
areas include: preflight assessment, flight deck management, preflight procedures,
and airport operations.
CR: AER 200, or successful completion of the FAA Knowledge Exam, Commercial-ASEL within
12 months; Private Pilot, FAA Second Class Medical Certificate (required), FAA First
Class Medical Certificate (recommended), proof of US citizenship or completion of
US Office of Homeland Security background check requirements.
Lab fee required
AER 229 (0-3-1)
Commercial Operations Lab II
This course provides a student with continued practical experience as it applies to
complex and high-performance aircraft. Continued use of effective communication skills
are reinforced and evaluated throughout this course. Students are introduced to the
function and operation of advanced aircraft systems, practical experience in accelerated
stalls, and advanced maneuvers in order to apply aerodynamic theory. Students are
trained on advanced aircraft systems, including constant-speed propellers and retractable
landing gear, the associated emergency procedures for these systems, and planning
for commercial flight situations. Students who have completed this course in conjunction
with AER 228 will have received the practical flight experience requirements necessary
to complete the FAA Commercial Practical Exam for a Commercial Pilot Certificate,
Airplane, SEL.
PR/CR: AER 200, or successful completion of the FAA Knowledge Exam, Commercial-ASEL
within 12 months, and AER 228
Lab fee required
AER 232 (3-0-3)
Basic Instruction
This course covers the techniques of basic flight instruction in order to become an
FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Subjects covered include the fundamentals of flight
instruction to prepare the student for the FAA Knowledge Exam on the Fundamentals
of Instruction (FOI). Additionally, this course will analyze basic and advanced flight
maneuvers, mechanics and regulations so as to prepare the student for the oral and
written FAA Flight Instructor-Airplane exams.
PR: AER 140, AER 141
CR: AER 233
Spring only
AER 233 (0-1-1)
Basic Instruction Lab
This course provides a student with the practical flight experience in a single engine
aircraft to acquire an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate-Airplane, single engine land.
Students will acquire instructional knowledge of the elements of all flight maneuvers
and procedures necessary for private and commercial pilot certification. Analysis
of the required maneuvers includes the recognition and correction of common student
errors.
PR: AER 140, AER 141 or equivalent, Commercial Pilot Certificate-Airplane, single
engine land, FAA Second Class Medical
CR: AER 232
AER 236 (3-0-3)
Flight Safety
This course introduces practical safety material, organizations and equipment necessary
to conduct safe daily flight operations. All factors including weather, maintenance,
equipment and human factors will be examined, with particular emphasis on critical
decision making under stress conditions. Proper decision making will be based on knowledge
of formal weather briefing techniques, flight plan filing, search and rescue methods,
post-crash survival, aircraft maintenance programs, accident/incident reports and
forms, airport rescue and firefighting, the role of the NTSB and flight safety organizations,
and modern hardware (Doppler radar, HSOS, LLWSAS, TCAS, GPWS).
PR: AER 120, AER 130 or permission of the department
Fall only
AER 280 (1-6-3)
Aviation/ATC Internship
This course provides a student with the opportunity to explore and gain experience working in an aviation or air traffic control related career. Classroom theory and laboratory experiences, were applicable, are enhanced while working under the supervision of a professional in the industry. Field study will incorporate aviation or air traffic control related assignments and will require scheduled meetings with the instructor. Completion of 90 hours of fieldwork is required and grading is on a pass/fail basis. Students must apply for and receive Instructor or Dean approval to enroll in this course.