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Aviation Science Courses

AER 101 (0-3-1)

Intro to Flight Laboratory

This course provides a student with the practical flight experience in a single engine aircraft to acquire a Private Pilot’s license, Aircraft, SEL certificate. The primary flight training includes dual and solo flight time to meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) practical testing standards in such training as basic flight maneuvers, takeoff and landing, 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 practical test standards. Completion of the FAA knowledge exam is required for this certificate. 
PR: FAA Second Class Medical Certificate (required), FAA First Class Medical Certificate Recommended, Homeland Security Administration Background Requirements. Students must be eligible for ENG 123 and 100-level Math course. 
PR/CR: AER 103
Lab Fee: $16,151 
Fall only

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 103 (4-0-4)

Introduction to Flight

This course provides a student with the fundamental concepts necessary to successfully complete the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Exam. Subject areas included in this course are: theory of flight, basic aerodynamics principles, single-engine land airplane, operation/systems/performance, navigation, flight computer computations, communications, publications, regulations and basic emergency procedures. 
PR: Students must be eligible to enroll in ENG 123 and a 100-level Math course
Fall only 

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 103, or equivalent; 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 103 and AER 101, or equivalent Private Pilot’s License 
CR: AER 140 Elements of Instrument

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 103 or equivalent 
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: AER 103 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 103 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. 
PR/CR: AER 140, AER 141 and 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. 

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 
Additional aviation fee

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 200 
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 200, AER 228, AER 229 or equivalent, Commercial Pilot Certificate-Airplane, single engine land, FAA Second Class Medical
Lab Fee: $3,500

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 103 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.