Aviation
About the Course of Study
The Aviation program proposed by Florence 1 Schools seeks to encourage students to think globally as well as fill the need within our own state and community. It’s focus is to build a foundation and knowledge base around flight and advance to subsequent Aviation courses which will direct students towards a certification in flight ground (FAA Private Pilot’s Knowledge Test) and ultimately a private pilot’s license pathway. Currently many individuals who seek to learn about flying and obtain a pilot’s license must pay for personal flight training with small organizations and flight training schools within given communities. Florence 1 seeks to provide this direct opportunity to its students.
The Aviation program will consist of four courses as determined by Florence 1 Schools: Aviation 1, 2, 3 and 4 (See attached curriculum for Local Board Approved courses). The curriculum for these courses is provided by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA, 2021). Our Aviation program will also include additional requirements which includes: Flight simulator training, a flight portfolio, performance in aircraft procedural efficiency throughout the program, etc.
Aviation: 1
Aviation 1 (Launching into Aviation and Exploring Aviation and Aerospace) will provide the foundation for advanced exploration in the areas of flying, aerospace engineering, and unmanned aircraft systems. Students will learn about engineering practices, problem-solving, and the innovations and technological developments that have made today’s aviation and aerospace industries possible. Students will look at the problem-solving practices and innovative leaps that transformed space exploration from the unimaginable to the common in a single generation. Students will also gain historical perspective, starting from the earliest flying machines and leading to the wide variety of modern aircraft and the integral role they play in making today’s world work. Students will also begin to drill down into the various sectors of aviation and the elements that make up the aviation and aerospace ecosystem. They will discover how advances in aviation created a need for regulation and will learn about the promulgation of civil aviation oversight. Students will explore modern innovations and develop their own innovative ideas to address real-world challenges facing the aviation industry. They will be exposed to a variety of career options in aviation and aerospace and take an in-depth look at the opportunities available. This course will allow students to begin to define their individual interests.
Aviation: 2
Aviation 2 is broken into two sections: Introduction to Flight and Aircraft Systems and Performance. In the Introduction to Flight component, students pursuing the pilot and UAS tracks will take a closer look at the aircraft they may one day operate. Students will begin with an exploration of the types of aircraft in use today before going on to learn how aircraft are made and how they fly. Students will understand how aircraft are categorized, be able to identify their parts, and learn about aircraft construction techniques and materials. They will gain an in-depth understanding of the forces of flight—lift, weight, thrust, and drag—including how to make key calculations. They will then touch on aircraft design, looking at stability, aircraft controls, and maneuvering flight. The course will conclude with a focus on career skills related to these topics.
In the Aircraft Systems and Performance component, students in the UAS and Pilot tracks will take an in-depth look at the systems that make manned and unmanned aircraft work as well as the instrumentation powered by those systems. Beginning with aircraft powerplants and fuel systems, students will learn about the different options available and how they affect aircraft design and performance. They will go on to explore other key aircraft systems, including electrical, pitot-static, and vacuum systems. Throughout, they will learn about the flight instruments associated with each system and how to identify and troubleshoot common problems. This unit also covers airplane flight manuals, the pilot's operating handbook, and required aircraft documents. Finally, students will learn about the factors that affect aircraft performance and how to determine critical operating data for aircraft.
Aviation: 3
Aviation 3 (The Flying Environment and Flight Planning) The Flying Environment Component of Aviation 3 is foundational for both manned and unmanned aviation, and will prepare students to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s “Private Pilot Knowledge Test”. Topics include: pre-flight procedures, airspace, radio communications, aviation phraseology, regulations, airport operations, aviation safety, weather, cockpit management, and emergency procedures.The Flight Planning component will cover remaining topics necessary for students to take the Federal Aviation Administration's Private Pilot Knowledge Test. Students will learn pilot and aircraft qualifications, cross-country flight planning, weight and balance, performance and limitations, human factors, chart use, night operations, navigation systems, and aeronautical decision making. Students will be provided the opportunity to participate in multiple practice examinations. At the end of this course, a school may choose to arrange for students to be signed off to take the Federal Aviation Administration's Private Pilot written exam.
Aviation: 4
After having prepared for the Private Pilot Knowledge Test in Aviation 3, students will examine advanced aviation topics and aviation career options. Instrument flight, commercial aviation, and advanced aircraft systems begin the semester. Looking into the future, students will then explore new horizons in the aerospace industry. The focus then turns to business development opportunities in aviation. Students will learn about and conduct different types of research. The capstone component is the culmination of the student learning experience. The students will work towards obtaining a Private Pilot’s license. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of a contemporary topic in aviation as it relates to flying. The curriculum will include presentations and activities to help guide student research and project development as well as suggestions for topics or projects that can be adapted to match available resources. This encoupasses the opportunity to obtain 37.5 hours of flight time and work towards completing their private pilot’s license which is the ultimate goal of the capstone project.